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to tube or not to tube

  • Thread starter Thread starter dtkid
  • Start date Start date
D

dtkid

Guest
Hey Folks:

I'm finally gettin' around to mounting my new tires on my 80' GS1100. I took the old one off the back and to my surprise a "tube" was in it. The rim (on the inside) is a mess....looks like someone used some type of sticky sealant in the past. Do I have to use Tubes for my tires????

I thought all mags were tubless??
 
I run tubes to be safe, but it's possible that you would be fine without. There was controversy at the time that mag rims would leak air to quickly. Your wheels my be stamped "tubeless" on the side. Interestingly, my 81 1100E has the "tubless" stamp on the rim, but my 83 1100 wheels do not. The shops I have brought my tire in to change always tell me that if there was a tube in there, another one will go back in- always.
 
thanks jethro

Yeah, since I think I would have to spend a great deal of time to clean all the gunk out of the beading area, I'm gonna go back with tubes.
 
What's the norm for spoke wheels. My tires are tubeless, but that doesn't mean there aren't any in there.
 
Hi BB, Check out Earls comments on the subject. Do a thread search. He's right on on this. You do not need tubes. I've been tubless since January no air loss yet. Ray
 
Jethro said:
I run tubes to be safe, but it's possible that you would be fine without. There was controversy at the time that mag rims would leak air to quickly. Your wheels my be stamped "tubeless" on the side. Interestingly, my 81 1100E has the "tubless" stamp on the rim, but my 83 1100 wheels do not. The shops I have brought my tire in to change always tell me that if there was a tube in there, another one will go back in- always.
Click to expand...

My '82 came with tubes stock also. I was kinda surprised also. If you look at the design of the cast wheel, there is no machined surface provision for a "pull through" tubless valve stem. I look at tubes as slightly more puncture resistance, not "hindering performance" like some guys think. (just my opinion)
 
Road_Clam said:
My '82 came with tubes stock also. I was kinda surprised also. If you look at the design of the cast wheel, there is no machined surface provision for a "pull through" tubless valve stem. I look at tubes as slightly more puncture resistance, not "hindering performance" like some guys think. (just my opinion)
Click to expand...

While tubes may provide an extra measure of puncture resistance, a tire with a tube in it will deflate much faster than a tubeless tire once it is punctured. I enlarged the valve stem holes and filed the inside surfaces flat to accept either pull-through or metal valve stems. I've been running tubeless tires on my '83 1100E for close to twenty years with no problems whatsoever. Earl took a much more scientific and methodical approach and came up with no reason why tubeless tires should pose a problem. Shops will not mount a tubeless tire on a tube type rim for legal reasons. If Earl and I both do it it must be okay! \\:D/

***************EDIT******************

Plus, a tubeless tire can be plugged to get you back on the road while a tube type tire must have the tube replaced before you're on the road again.

Thanks,
Joe
 
Replace?

Replace?

Joe Nardy said:
...Plus, a tubeless tire can be plugged to get you back on the road while a tube type tire must have the tube replaced before you're on the road again....
Click to expand...

To get back on the road with a tubeless tire you need a plug kit and a source of air, i.e., compressor. To get back on the road with a tube tire (without patching) you need a sealant such as Slime or a latex tire repair product and a provision for air pressure. Patching can be done as a last resort.

Neither a tubeless plug or a tube sealant or patch is considered a permanent repair. In the case of a tubeless tire, it must be replaced to regain original integrity (or have a tube added):). In the case of a tube tire, replacing the tube will usually allow the tire to be reused without concern.
 
A spoked wheel requires a tube. Air will blow out the spokes faster than you can put it in without a tube. LOL well, maybe not quite that fast, but you get the idea. eheh

Earl

Billyboy said:
What's the norm for spoke wheels. My tires are tubeless, but that doesn't mean there aren't any in there.
Click to expand...
 
For those that are unaware of the Dirt Biking world, there are off road emergency tire repair kits that include patches (for tubes) and plugs (for tubleless) as well as compressed CO2 cylinders with valve stem adapters. You can get these at most off road bike shops or www.motorcyclesuperstore.com is a good source. Everyone should keep one of these kits in/on their bike. It will save you a lot of frustration....

Mike
 
earlfor said:
A spoked wheel requires a tube. Air will blow out the spokes faster than you can put it in without a tube. LOL well, maybe not quite that fast, but you get the idea. eheh

Earl
Click to expand...

Maybe you didn't see my post on page 1.:)

Boondocks said:
Wheel Works can convert spoked rims to tubeless tires for $59.00 per wheel.
Click to expand...
 
Metal valve stems are $5 a pair at Advance Auto. I look today after I remove the dry rotted tires and I have not stamp that says tubeless on my rims. Looks like I'm going tubeless.

Allen
 
A stock, unmodified spoked wheel requires a tube. A stock unmodified "mag" wheel should have stamped on it somewhere "Tube-type" or "Tubeless".
I think in most instances, if I were in a bind, I'd not have much heartburn over using a tube in a wheel that said "tubeless", if the situation was such that I couldn't get the tire to hold air for whatever reason. At the first opportunity, I'd repair whatever caused the tire to not hold air, and I'd get the tube back out of there.
I'd be almost willing to bet that a wheel that was stamped "Tube-type" means.. "This wheel is not designed to hold a tubeless tire, it will leak". On the converse, I suspect that a wheel that is stamped "Tubeless" means that it IS designed for use without a tube, but that it will work fine with one if you desire.
As for the reasons that folks do or don't put tubes into wheels that are designed for use without them... I suspect they're as varied as the people that own bikes. My preference is to not use a tube if I don't have to.
 
What if the wheels aren't marked "Tubeless" nor "Use Tubes"? Is there a tire we can use on unmarked wheels?
 
I'd look really hard at what was installed when it came to me. To my way of thinking... a "mag" wheel should be capable of holding a tubeless tire with no problems, assuming a pull-in valve stem is mounted already, or can be mounted.
I worked in an automotive garage for a few years after high school doing nothing but breaking down and mounting tires. If the wheel was absolutely intended for a tube to be installed, the hole through the wheel would not allow a pull-in tubeless valve stem, without modifying the hole. That's always been my guide... if I can get a standard pull-in valve stem to pop in and lock in the wheel without modifying the hole, it will accept a tubeless tire without problem.
All that goes to say this... a tubeless wheel will allow for a tube to be installed, a tube-only wheel will NOT allow a tubeless installation.
 
No apologies necessary... at least not for my peace of mind :) I was typing away a reply, and got caught on a phone call or I'd have gotten an answer back already..
 
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