Will I die? - 1987 Suzuki GS450L

[LambBrainz]

I know I'm committing a near-sin here by asking about tires but I really just need to know if this thing is gonna explode or pop a bead while I'm trying to ride lol. Recently got this bike and have been trying to go through things and make sure it'll be ready to ride when the time comes.


Front wheel says MT & J, as well as "TUBELESS TIRE APPLICABLE". So I assume this one is fine.




However, rear wheel only says"J", which my research tells me means "must be tubed" but the PO has a tubeless tire on it. I've heard of people doing this, but really just wanna know if the consensus is whether or not this will pop a bead or something crazy lol. I mostly ride around town, but will be doing some highway riding

 

[Nessism]

Pretty much all tires are labeled "tubeless" these days. That means they can be installed without a tube. Such tires can also be used on tube type wheels, as long as a tube is installed. So in other words, Tubeless = mount without OR with a tube.

With a used bike, you should examine the tire for the manufacturing date code. How long before the tire ages out depends on the storage conditions, but generally speaking, 10 years or so is the outside edge.

https://www.utires.com/articles/read-date-code-motorcycle-tires/

 

[LambBrainz]

Pretty much all tires are labeled "tubeless" these days. That means they can be installed without a tube. Such tires can also be used on tube type wheels, as long as a tube is installed. So in other words, Tubeless = mount without OR with a tube.

With a used bike, you should examine the tire for the manufacturing date code. How long before the tire ages out depends on the storage conditions, but generally speaking, 10 years or so is the outside edge.

https://www.utires.com/articles/read-date-code-motorcycle-tires/

Sorry, I should have been more clear.

The *tires* are tubeless, but the wheel itself is marked as "J", which I'm pretty sure means it needs a tube

If I'm understanding you correctly, it should be fine to use this tubeless tire on the rear so long as it has a tube?

 

[Grimly]

I've spent 40 years riding on tubeless tyres on my Suzukis and half the wheels don't have the 'tubeless' marking on them.
Never gave it a moment's worry.

 

[rphillips]

Not sure about the MT & J...You said front tire says "TUBELESS TIRE APPLICABLE". Does the "tire" or "wheel" say that?? If wheel says it, put anything you want on it, with or without tube... If tire says it, I don't know.

 

[LambBrainz]

Not sure about the MT & J...You said front tire says "TUBELESS TIRE APPLICABLE". Does the "tire" or "wheel" say that?? If wheel says it, put anything you want on it, with or without tube... If tire says it, I don't know.

Sorry I totally meant wheel and wrote tire lol Editing now

 

[Nessism]

According to the parts fishe, Suzuki used tubes on the '87 450. Unless the wheel says "Tubeless Tire Applicable", I'd use tubes. And again, you can run Tubeless tires, just as long as you put a tube inside.

FWIW, there are many threads here discussing converting tube-type wheels to tubeless. I won't go into it here; a search will turn up more information than most people care to read.

 

[Rob S.]

If the PO put miles on it, apparently it works. I run tubes in wheels designed to run tubes, I'm old fashioned.

And yes, one day you will die. :dog:

 

[LambBrainz]

According to the parts fishe, Suzuki used tubes on the '87 450. Unless the wheel says "Tubeless Tire Applicable", I'd use tubes. And again, you can run Tubeless tires, just as long as you put a tube inside.

FWIW, there are many threads here discussing converting tube-type wheels to tubeless. I won't go into it here; a search will turn up more information than most people care to read.

Yep, I saw plenty of tube-type->tubeless conversion posts. Assuming the PO didn't already do that (or there's secretly a tube in the rear tire), I'll check those out. Thanks again for clarifying/confirming.

 

[Steve]

Many of us have (and currently DO) run tubeless tires on wheels that are not certified for them.

Two things seem to be important if you choose to join the ranks.
1. Install a proper valve stem. Some can be all rubber and will conform to the shape of the rim, but the hole might need to be drilled a bit bigger. If that picture is of your wheel, it appears to be the other type of wheel, one that has a flat spot to mount the stem. Again, it might need to be drilled larger and/or flattened out on the inside to ensure a proper seal.
2. Clean the bead mating surface IMMACULATELY. And use some proper tire lube when installing the tire so it slides into place properly.

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