Were GS rims ever meant to use tubeless tires?

[Guest]

I was checking the tire pressure on my 1980 GS750E's tires last night & while looking for the maximum tire pressure reading, noticed that the Dunlops on it are listed as "Tube Type".

This got me to wondering if, considering that they used shouldered alloy rims, these early GS bikes were capable of being fitted with tubeless tires?

Anyone have, or have had, any personal experience with this?

[Steve]

Don't just look at the tire, look at the WHEEL. Some GSes, starting in '80 or '81 came with wheels that said "Tubless Tire Applicable" cast into the rib in the middle of the rim.

Some have "converted" their tube-type rims to tubeless with decent results, but that is pretty much the luck of the draw.

I think the shafties went tubeless first, then the rest of them, so by '83 they were all tubeless.

I have '82 wheels on my '80 850, they are marked for tubeless and I run them that way.

.

[Nessism]

I was checking the tire pressure on my 1980 GS750E's tires last night & while looking for the maximum tire pressure reading, noticed that the Dunlops on it are listed as "Tube Type".

This got me to wondering if, considering that they used shouldered alloy rims, these early GS bikes were capable of being fitted with tubeless tires?

Anyone have, or have had, any personal experience with this?

How old are those tires? You should check the date code and replace them if they are more than 7 years old or so. Tube type tires are very rare these days, being supplanted by tubeless, although it's okay to run a tube inside a tubeless type tire if the rim so dictates.

[sedelen]

You know it possibly could be fitted with tubeless tires, but it originally came with tubes, front and back. What does that tell you?
I stick with tires that work with those rims and tubes also, more for safety concerns than anything else.

http://www.suzukipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d4007df8700230d8b4e2ba/rear-wheel

http://www.suzukipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d40079f8700230d8b4e2b0/front-wheel

[mmattockx]

You know it possibly could be fitted with tubeless tires, but it originally came with tubes, front and back. What does that tell you?

That tire technology has changed in the last 37 years? You can be ultra conservative if you want, but the fact is that many, many of us are running tubeless with no issues and getting better performance and longer tire life.


Mark

[hillsy]

You know it possibly could be fitted with tubeless tires, but it originally came with tubes, front and back. What does that tell you?
I stick with tires that work with those rims and tubes also, more for safety concerns than anything else.

http://www.suzukipartshouse.com/oemparts/a/suz/50d4007df8700230d8b4e2ba/rear-wheel

http://www.suzukipartshouse.com/oemp...b0/front-wheel

Are you saying you run non-tubeless tyres on your GS? What brand / model are they?

[gsrick]

I've been running tubeless for about 6 years on my '78 1000. You'll need to get the high pressure metal clamp type of valve stem found at auto part stores. I actually had to enlarge the hole a little for it to work. There is plenty of material. This isn't the exact one I used, but it's close enough to see how it will seal up the valve stem hole.

[Sandy]

To the orginal question. If they have the safety bead yes. If they don't, no. They will hold air if that's all that matters.