Firestone Coker vintage compatible?

[Guest]

So i scooped up a 1980 GS550E today and im wanting to do a "vintage cafe" theme with it. While looking at tires i have fallen in love with the Firestone Coker vintage reproductions but the only ones i can find are NOT tubeless.

My question is simple, are tubes compatible with my bike or do i have to buy tubeless tires? Thanks in advance!

[Nessism]

Your bike came from Suzuki with tubes. This info is readily available online in the various parts fishe for OEM parts, or in your service manual. If you don't have a manual go to Basscliff's website and download one for free.

EDIT: just checked out the Coker tires, and seems to me they cost three times that of a decent modern tire, and use inferior technology.

[nejeff]

Your bike came from Suzuki with tubes. This info is readily available online in the various parts fishe for OEM parts, or in your service manual. If you don't have a manual go to Basscliff's website and download one for free.

EDIT: just checked out the Coker tires, and seems to me they cost three times that of a decent modern tire, and use inferior technology.

+1 on that. Nostalgia is nice but there is a reason they don't make them like that anymore.

[Allie]

Cokers are awesome for trailer queens, museum pieces, and things that are driven/ridden on a limited basis. If you want to really drive or ride whatever it is, modern tires are the only thing that make sense IMO.

[bwringer]

To actually answer your question, just put tubes in them.

Remove the valve stems from the tubeless wheels, and use tubes with straight metal (TR6, I think) valve stems.



I'll just go ahead and cast my vote here with the "that's sort of dumb" crowd. There are much better modern tires these days, and you're giving up a lot (and spending crazy money) just to achieve a certain look. Around here, we tend to ride the snot out of our old Suzukis, so we lean toward function.

But hey, it's your bike. Do what you want with it, enjoy, and post lots of pics!

[Bustedknuckles]

hahaha, so I DO love the coker's nostalgic look but after hearing all of your more experienced opinions and the fact that they actually don't make them in compatible sizes I went with some Conti-Go! tires that got good reviews. we'll see when they get here in a few days!

[bwringer]

hahaha, so I DO love the coker's nostalgic look but after hearing all of your more experienced opinions and the fact that they actually don't make them in compatible sizes I went with some Conti-Go! tires that got good reviews. we'll see when they get here in a few days!

Cool, I don't know if anyone here has posted a review of these yet. Go ride the snot out of them and report back!

[Bustedknuckles]

Cool, I don't know if anyone here has posted a review of these yet. Go ride the snot out of them and report back!

Oh I plan on it!