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DIY tire mounting and Inner Tube recommendations, valve stem type, etc

Chuck78

Chuck78

Forum Sage
Past Site Supporter
I was wondering if tubes for my new tires were something very critical that I would need to spend $27 EACH on a good pair, or if I can go with a cheaper tube around $12 each and be fine?

This is for a '77 GS750, but the rims will be DID aluminium alloy 2.50x18 WM4 front with a 110/90-18 tire, and 3.50x18 WM6 rear with 140/70-18 tires. I read another member posting that they had thought they needed a TR6 style valve stem. Is this applicable for mine as well?

Should I shell out the big bucks for the Michelin AirStop tubes, or go with a cheaper IRC or BikeMaster tube? I see that the Michelin tubes have a listing for a tube that fits 110/90-18 up to 140/80/18. That seems like a very wide range. Should I go with something more specific to a narrow range of tire sizes to avoid excess tube bunched up or the tube stretched out very thinly in a big tire?

What about rim strips? I used to use electrical tape all the time on bicycle wheels, but we also sold cloth rim tape that I'd use on the nicer rims.
 
DIY tire mounting

DIY tire mounting

Also, I had seen two articles about DIY tire mounting using cinch straps (like the smaller ratchet straps but no ratchet - the spring loaded pinch/catch variety) and the other using indistrial HVAC zip ties that are 3' long. These were both for tubeless. I wondered how much harder it was with an inner tube stuffed in there. Both methods did not use tire irons.
 
I've always used the cheaper tubes and never had troubles. Purchasing some tire irons (three) and rim protectors are money well spent. Never messed around with straps and such.
 
Just convinced my wife to get some new tires for her bike finally. It is a 77 GS550B with the 16" flanged rear rim with a deep drop center, in what looks to measure 3.00" wide. This would be the same size as my buddy's KZ650CSR with a 16" rear, and the GS850 that I rode today with a 130/90-16 Shinko 712 tire (rode great!)

Now the big thing I noticed is that the rear rim has a very deep drop center, and the valve stem actually comes out the side of the deep drop section. If it came out of the rim in a typical location facing the hub, due to the large diameter drum brake hub and the smaller than typical rear rim diameter and even smaller ERD measurement due to the very deep drop, the valve would hardly be accessible. Picturing the tube wrapping itself down into the squared off deep drop center section and being happy with that has me scratching my head. Maybe a photo in the daylight hours would help illustrate this better. I doubt the thing is tubeless, but I was pretty mystified after looking at the rim profile and valve stem location.

Any ideas on what type/designation of tube/valve style this is?
 
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