Tube...tubeless.... again. simple, I hope

[rphillips]

Last fall I took the rear wheel, from my "83" 1100E, & a new tire to a local, private, shop to have the tire mounted & balanced. We discussed the tube vs tubeless wheel thing. He said he didn't recommend putting the new tire on this wheel, as it didn't have tubeless stamped on it, without a tube. After quite a bit of discussion I "thought" we decided he was going to mount it tubeless. I noticed, the other day, the bike is sitting the garage with a flat rear tire. A closer look & I see it has a tube in it. I'm not happy. This time, when the tire goes back on, there "WILL NOT" be a tube in it. Back in the "80"'s, when this all started, our local shop had the tubeless valve stems, on the shelf, that bolted right in to the existing hole, no problem. Now I'm seeing to countersink the hole, drill out the hole, bevel the hole. I'm just looking for a stem, like my old dealer had. They are the 0.453" size, but is there a specific brand, or model # that is known to bolts right in & not need drilling or modifying. I found in an old thread, Bike Master # 15-1947, but that one is no longer available. Probably most will work, but one that someone has used & knows works well may save me a little grief. Thanks.

[mrbill5491]

An 83 rim? should have had tubeless stamped on it.

[1980GS1000E]

I've been running tubeless for 7 years.

[rphillips]

Yeah, I'd have thought they would have been tubeless too. But after a bunch of searching & reading, None of the 4 valve 1100's ever came with tubeless wheels, unless maybe the GS1100 "L" model, I didn't see them mentioned, & they did have a different rear than the "E". the first big 4 valve bike with tubeless started with the "84" GS1150's. It's still hard for me to believe, but it seems that's the way it is.

[Rob S.]

I've been running tubeless for 7 years.

On 1980 E rims?

Soon after I acquired my 11e, I took her for new tires (sprockets, chain, etc.). Because I was a Cycle World addict, I asked for Bridgestone Battlaxe tires. Was told, "Well, they're not designed for tubes, and your rims are."

I decided that when I'm doing "the buck," I've already got too many possible nightmarish outcomes running through my helmet.

[rphillips]

I've never heard of a tire that you couldn't use a tube in. Tubeless designed tires do have "Tubeless" stamped on them, but you can use them on tubeless rims, you just need to put a tube in them. I've never heard of one that says "Tubeless ONLY", or "DO NOT USE TUBES" in this tire.

[Rob S.]

I've never heard of a tire that you couldn't use a tube in. Tubeless designed tires do have "Tubeless" stamped on them, but you can use them on tubeless rims, you just need to put a tube in them. I've never heard of one that says "Tubeless ONLY", or "DO NOT USE TUBES" in this tire.

Exactly. When a tire on my 1982 Camaro became so beat up it just wouldn't hold air, I panicked. "What can I do?" I asked the tire shop. "We'll put a tube in it," he calmly answered.

[mrbill5491]

Yeah, I'd have thought they would have been tubeless too. But after a bunch of searching & reading, None of the 4 valve 1100's ever came with tubeless wheels, unless maybe the GS1100 "L" model, I didn't see them mentioned, & they did have a different rear than the "E". the first big 4 valve bike with tubeless started with the "84" GS1150's. It's still hard for me to believe, but it seems that's the way it is.

Not sure what you are reading, but the big change to tubeless rims hit mid production in 82, they tighten up their process making the rims less porous and adding the bead to the rim for tubeless tire application. There were a few pre 82 rims that were tubeless as well. I believe those were the 850s and GS1000 rear rims only. Anyways, I had ran tubeless on my 80 750 for a few years with out a problem then went back to tubes since that is what it come with stock.