Hi richardr
I’ve just been through this exercise myself, on both our bikes.
Firstly, it’s not the spokes, they do not form part of any seal. But check the back of the nipples for sharp edges.
It will be the fault of the rim-band (tape) or the seal it makes against the inner edges of the rim. As seen in this pic.
The Rim-band is not like one from an MX bike so don’t bother buying a new one from anyone but a MotoTrials dealer. The rubber is so think its more like a timing belt off of a car!!
If you follow the instructions in these guides and you should be Ok
http://www.sherco-moto.com/downloads/wa ... Manual.pdf
http://www.sherco-moto.com/downloads/wa ... Manual.pdf
But you might have trouble with the Rim-band not sitting flat and staying up in the middle. This is due to uneven tension around the rubber (the band goes on quite tight!) If you leave it like this, the sides of the band will pop out when you inflate the tyre. And the spokes will leak again….I learnt this the hard way!!
I solved this on my wheel by using marine grease, smeared into both sides of the seal track on the rim. Which the rim-band seats into.
I tired Silicone but when it didn’t work I had to spend two hours cleaning it out of the rim.
Once the grease thing is done. You can then attempt to shift the tension of the band around so it flattens out all the way around.
Buy a Tire Beader (doughnut ring) and save yourself a ton of trouble too.
And you can get the tyre bead seal broken, down your local tyre bay, for nothing ….if you ask nicely.
Best of luck for your first go…because you gonna need it!!
Best of balance.
Neo