Tubeless or not to be tubeless?

[ScrumDown]

That is my question.
I am 99% sure the current tires are tube tires and was wondering if I can put tubeless on my rim or would I have to replace the rimes with ones designed for tubeless?

They are not spoke rims.
This is on a 1979 GS550L. According to the website's Parts Dept I called he said I need these size tires?
Front: inner tube? – 3.25/19. Tire - 90/90-19
Rear: inner tube? – 3.75/4.00-18. Tire – 110/90-18
(I am not in front of or anywhere my bike to double check, but I know the rear is correct.)

 

[Guest]

Depends on what kinda oil you use.

 

[Agemax]

look on the rims, it will say if a tubeless tyre is applicable

 

[Hovmod]

I just put tubeless tyres over my tubes.

 

[Big T]

That is my question.
I am 99% sure the current tires are tube tires and was wondering if I can put tubeless on my rim or would I have to replace the rimes with ones designed for tubeless?

They are not spoke rims.
This is on a 1979 GS550L. According to the website's Parts Dept I called he said I need these size tires?
Front: inner tube? ? 3.25/19. Tire - 90/90-19
Rear: inner tube? ? 3.75/4.00-18. Tire ? 110/90-18
(I am not in front of or anywhere my bike to double check, but I know the rear is correct.)

79's won't be tubeless

Just put a tube in them

 

[Agemax]

I just put tubeless tyres over my tubes.

tubed rims wont support tubeless tyres, even with a tube in them.

 

[Baatfam]

There are many, many members here running tubeless tires, on tube rims, without tubes...
The only thing that might need to be done is drill out the hole for the tubeless valve stem...
I've seen this done many times at Joe Nardy's tire parties and don't know anyone that had an issue with it...

Just sayin'....

Do a search if ya don't believe me....

 

[Hovmod]

tubed rims wont support tubeless tyres, even with a tube in them.

Uh... Really?
This seems to be an area where every internet guru has a different answer.
I asked the internet, and (on average) it said sure, you can do that. So I did, and for a few days now that seems to work just fine. Tyres sit nice and tight where they're supposed to, and they hold the pressure just fine.

What is the problem? Will they come off at high speeds?

 

[Agemax]

the wall shape of the rims and the tubed tyres are matched. tubeless wheel rims have different wall shapes.
believe what the internet tells you, its your bike

 

[Hovmod]

Hey, *you're* the internet too, you know...

Now I need expert advice.

 

[Agemax]

Hey, *you're* the internet too, you know...

Now I need expert advice.

you obviously dont, you are another of the new crowd that knows everything, just asking questions to test the experienced

 

[Nessism]

First off, tubeless tires can be use on a tube type rim, but the tire manufacturers say you should use a tube inside the tire.

Some people with tube type aluminum wheels (cast type) convert them to run tubeless tires w/o tube. You can not do with with a spoked type rim due to leakage around the spoke holes (obvious).

Tubeless type wheels have a tire retention bead in case of deflation, something tube type wheels do not have. This increases the safety since the tire will stay seated on the wheel bead (to some extent) in case of pressure loss.

If you run tubeless on a tube type wheel, and you get a puncture, when the pressure gets below some value (and I don't know what that value is) the tire could quickly deflate thereafter as the tire comes free of the wheel bead. Of course, at this point there is already significant pressure loss so the risk of this sudden pressure loss is questionable at this point.

Lots of GSR members assume this risk and have favorable things to say. Personally, I run tubes inside my tubeless tires just in case, but I don't feel strongly that it's necessary.

 

[Hovmod]

@Agemax:

Uh, sorry, but that's just not right.
I just put tubeless tyres on my bike, with tubes in them, on 1979 rims, and if there's a problem with that I really want to know. Like I said, I googled this quite a bit before doing it, and the consensus seems to be that it's perfectly OK to do it, if you're willing to go down one speed rating due to increased heat.
Your one-liner argument about rim walls has showed up in exactly zero of the discussions on the topic I've found, so you'll forgive me for not running out and removing my tyres on that "advice" alone.

Like I said, now I need expert advice. And I'll start by asking real life people I trust.

(guess I'll shut the **** up from now on, if I'm annoying the regulars this much)

 

[Agemax]

ok it may be physically possible to fit them but if the rim says "tubed tyres only" or "tubeless tyres only" i would be inclined to stick with what they say.
if anyone wants to run the risk by interchanging then thats up to them.

 

[49er]

I've run tubeless tyres on my '79 850 rims for the last 8 years without a problem. I do notice that tyre pressures need to be checked more often than the 1150 which has tubeless rims. Either the castings are more porous or the differing bead shapes allow pressure to drop quicker than with a true tubeless combination.

Running tubes inside tubeless tyres defeats the purpose. I believe that it also affects a tyres ability to reach its correct operating temperature at optimal running pressures.

 

[Nessism]

ok it may be physically possible to fit them but if the rim says "tubed tyres only" or "tubeless tyres only" i would be inclined to stick with what they say.
if anyone wqants to run the risk by interchanging then thats up to them.

You are being silly. The Suzuki tube type wheels don't say anything about "tube only". You can run tubeless tires on these wheels no problem, but a tube should be used inside the tire.

 

[Agemax]

You are being silly. The Suzuki tube type wheels don't say anything about "tube only". You can run tubeless tires on these wheels no problem, but a tube should be used inside the tire.

not being silly, just practical. would you use tubeless on a spoked wheel? NO.
the original question was can i use tubeless tyres on a tubed rim, answer NO........but he did not mention putting a tube in as well, that changes everything, although i still wouldnt risk it

 

[Rudeman]

There is nothing wrong with running tubes in a tubless tire. I've been doing it for 30 years. The two things that most definitively distinguish tube type from tubless type wheels is the bead retention characteristics (as Ed mentioned above) and the valve stem to rim sealing ability. Tube type cast wheels may be adapted to run tubeless tires but like 49er alluded to they will lose pressure more quickly and require closer monitoring. And as Ed mentioned they will not retain the tire in the event of a sudden loss of pressure.

Tube type tires of any decent quality are nearly impossible to find. I run tubeless tires with tubes and they work just fine.

BTW...I would and do run tubeless tires on spoked wheels but I run them with a tube. No brainer. No risks.

 

[Nessism]

not being silly, just practical. would you use tubeless on a spoked wheel? NO.
the original question was can i use tubeless tyres on a tubed rim, answer NO........but he did not mention putting a tube in as well, that changes everything, although i still wouldnt risk it

Yes, you can use tubeless tires on a tube type rim, you just need to install a tube inside. The information you provided is incorrect.

As for your comment... "i still wouldnt risk it", that's silly too. Avon recommends tubeless tires for use on our old GS bikes, as do all the other tire manufacturers do to. Again, you just need to fit a tube inside the "tubeless" tire. Do some research and you will quickly realize this is correct.

 

[Baatfam]

...would you use tubeless on a spoked wheel? NO.

I ran spoked rims without tubes on my drag bike for years, just sealed the inside of the rim/nipples with rtv....no problems even at 145mph...
I've also heard of this being done on street bikes successfully...