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New Wheels, tube or tubeless
- bloglos
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I've read many forums on whether or not my rims are tubed or tubeless, but I keep getting different information. There are supposed to be indicators on the mags that list which they are. I'm going to assume for now, that both rims must run tubes because of the bike's age. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm going to try and find inch specific wheels but I hear that's going to be difficult to do, so failing that I'm going to go with the 120/90-18 in the back and 100/90-19 in the front, but what I really want to know, is can I run tubes in a tubeless tire? For example I am interested in picking up Battlax BT45's.
I would appreciate any advice you folks could offer.
78 KZ650 C2 - Runner
77 KZ650 B1 - Project
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- bloglos
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78 KZ650 C2 - Runner
77 KZ650 B1 - Project
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- bountyhunter
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Yes, you can run tubes in "tubeless" tires.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- JMKZHI
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Tubeless KZ wheels have Tubeless cast into them.
The 81-83 factory manual says that tubes should not be used in tubeless wheels.
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- T_Dub
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1977 KZ650B1
-810cc
-Cavanaugh Racing Head
-Mikuni RS34's
-GPR Muffler
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- 650ed
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I'm going to assume for now, that both rims must run tubes because of the bike's age.
TRUE
I'm going to go with the 120/90-18 in the back and 100/90-19 in the front,
THAT IS A GOOD COMBO ON THE KZ650
but what I really want to know, is can I run tubes in a tubeless tire?
YES
I would appreciate any advice you folks could offer.
I'm running Pirelli Sport Demons on my KZ650-C1 and they are great:
Pirelli
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- bountyhunter
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Why would you want to put a tube in a tubeless wheel?
1) rim leak
2) Insurance after fixing a puncture
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- T_Dub
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T_Dub wrote:
Why would you want to put a tube in a tubeless wheel?
1) rim leak
2) Insurance after fixing a puncture
1) fix rim
2) don't use punctured tires
I think on a bike doing things that aren't really recommended so that you can "get away" with something is not a good idea. You're pretty screwed if your tire fails on a bike, why chance it?
1977 KZ650B1
-810cc
-Cavanaugh Racing Head
-Mikuni RS34's
-GPR Muffler
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- bountyhunter
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Tubeless tires have punctures repaired all the time. Some people don't chuck a $150 tire for a single hole that can be reliably repaired.bountyhunter wrote:
T_Dub wrote:
Why would you want to put a tube in a tubeless wheel?
1) rim leak
2) Insurance after fixing a puncture
1) fix rim
2) don't use punctured tires
I think on a bike doing things that aren't really recommended so that you can "get away" with something is not a good idea. You're pretty screwed if your tire fails on a bike, why chance it?
As for a rim leak, it's usually not the rim but the tire bead that seeps and typically only when the tire is parked in a certain position. Those can drive you crazy and putting in a tube is an easy fix.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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- T_Dub
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But I can't see a rim leaking for no reason. If its a good tire and a nice clean seating area on the rim it should never leak.
1977 KZ650B1
-810cc
-Cavanaugh Racing Head
-Mikuni RS34's
-GPR Muffler
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- bountyhunter
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True, but on some the rim bead isn't perfect and they will have a slow seep with the wheel in the right position (wrong position) pressing on the tire. The tire will hold air for a week then you find it low. The dealer won't take the tire back because they put it in water and there is no leak. Cure: put in a tube. Guess how I learned about rim leaks....
But I can't see a rim leaking for no reason. If its a good tire and a nice clean seating area on the rim it should never leak.
1979 KZ-750 Twin
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