Tires/Rims/Tubes Q&A

[SkeletonLake]

I've also owned a BMW for over twenty years now and remember this topic for about the same; some folks tried running tubeless on the old tube type metal flake wheels and had the tire lose pressure at highway speeds. I have enough grey hair to have learned not to play with lit dynamite.

[witttom]

Somewhere, perhaps in another thread... I had posted about my troubles with mounting tires on my GS (man, tubes suck!). I thought it was troubles that are now behind me, but... it's a thorn in my side that just won't go away. I have a slow leak in my rear tire. I've mounted this one twice (both times, with professional help and professional tools). The first time, I had a bad tube (I swear, it wasn't me that put a hole in it). The second time seemed to take. ...or so I thought.

It takes about three days or less for my rear to go from ~40psi, to ZERO (sub-5psi). While this is no huge ordeal when riding my bike to/from work or a quick romp through the rural twisties (a quick shot of air from my compressor is easy enough before departure), it certainly creates some trouble if I want to take the bike for any extended rides (long day, or overnight... which I'd like to do this Summer).

I do NOT want to have to dismount and mount this tire yet again (Heaven help me, spare me the nightmare!).

I've tried the PJ1 Balancing Fluid, which I use in my modern day bikes with great success. Not only does this stuff really work for high-speed balance of tires, but it seals small punctures and slow leaks as well. Well, all but this particular one. I'm guessing my tube is leaking on the inside diameter somewhere (which, my guess... is the common place).

I really dislike Fix-A-Flat, and Green Slime (while I love it in my dirtbikes and lawn tractors) would be an even worse idea. I suppose I'd consider Fix-A-Flat if I really thought it would fix my problem without throwing the tire out of balance. I DO take my GS into triple-digits occassionally.

Is a new tube my ONLY option??

[JMHJ]

Have you checked the valve stem core? Maybe it's leaking there, and a new core would solve the problem.

[Dink]

Little "Ol skool" hint for youse guys. Use talcum powder inside the tyre,when fitting a tube, it helps to allow it to move and settle.

Dink

[boris]

well i looked at this thread for advice but im still confused as hell
my gs450e has the alloy wheels but no markings saying tubeless
my rear has tubeless tyre on and doesnt seem to loose psi
but the front has a tube type fitted

i cant find any tube type tyres in the size i need for my front
so will i be ok running a tubeless tyre
or would i need to put a tube inside a tubeless tyre

theirs only 1 90/90/18 on ebay i can find in the uk and its tubeless
its ending in a few hours
i realy need a new front tyre my sidewall is cracked
this is he first one ive seen in the size i need that aint some offroad crap or a make ive never heard of

will i be ok running a tubeless tyre ????
i dont want to be eating tarmac cos of a bad choice

ediot the only marking besides size ect i can find on my rims is LE

[Sandy]

Little "Ol skool" hint for youse guys. Use talcum powder inside the tyre,when fitting a tube, it helps to allow it to move and settle.

Dink

......and just enough air in the tube so it can keep it's shape. This also helps to avoid pinching the tube.

[witttom]

Little "Ol skool" hint for youse guys. Use talcum powder inside the tyre,when fitting a tube, it helps to allow it to move and settle.

......and just enough air in the tube so it can keep it's shape. This also helps to avoid pinching the tube.

I hate tubes.

[witttom]

Have you checked the valve stem core? Maybe it's leaking there, and a new core would solve the problem.

I've checked and I don't believe it is leaking from the stem, but I may swap it out anyway just to be sure. Thanks for the tip.

[REDDY]

For slow leaks, immerse the wheel and tire in water or use soapy water and a brush.

[salty_monk]

This is the stuff recommended earlier... maybe that would cure it??

http://www.ultraseal.com/

Dan

[witttom]

Kicking the dust off an old thread.

This past Spring, I've had my rear tire mounted/dismounted at least three times dealing with tube leaks. One time was my fault. I apparently pinched a tube when mounting. Another time was a manufacturing flaw in the tube (that'll teach me for not testing it prior). I don't recall what the other times where, but it doesn't really matter. It sucked.

In June, I set out for the Vintage Rally in Knoxville. I had a SLOW leak in the rear. I took a 12V air pump with me and just planned to top off when needed. Seemed like a good idea at the time. It wasn't. That slow leak quickly turned into a BAD leak many many miles down the road. To make a long story short, I had to abort the trip. After some McGyver moves and help from my riding buddy, I managed to get my rear tire to a point where it would hold approx 10psi of air (no more). It was late and I ran out of options. I limped a couple hundred miles home. No damage to the tire.

After this miserable failure, I said "Screw the tube!", bought a metal valve stem, mounted it, and have gone tubeless ever since. I've since put a couple thousand miles on it. No issues.

Man, I hate tubes.

[AOD]

After this miserable failure, I said "Screw the tube!", bought a metal valve stem, mounted it, and have gone tubeless ever since. I've since put a couple thousand miles on it. No issues.

Wittom, thank you for the updated report.

I want to chime in, because I don't read the technical forum very often, but I've ran anywhere from 12,000-15,000 miles on my old '79 GS550E tube-free. '79 had the 5 star mag that did not say tubeless on it, but with a new valve stem installed and good tires (Metzler, Pirelli) I never had a problem.

From what I recall, I went through two sets of Metzeler tires and sold it with the Pirelli's at about 1000 miles. I always check the air in my tires every week or so, but I never had a prolonged leak.

That being said, regardless of the rim design, I've put enough miles and sets of tires on a wheel that originally had a tube to not worry me. Those running tubes in mag wheels still are asking for more trouble and hassle in my opinion.

~Adam

[8trackmind]

After this miserable failure, I said "Screw the tube!", bought a metal valve stem, mounted it, and have gone tubeless ever since. I've since put a couple thousand miles on it. No issues.

Man, I hate tubes.

Did the same thing on my bikes. The rear's have never been a problem. I've had about a 50/50 success ratio running the front tires tubeless.

[earlfor]

I've run every GS I have had with tubless tires and no tube and have never had a problem with it, not even leak down. Off the top of my head, thats over 100K miles.

Earl

[1980GS1000E]

I use these suckaz - and they hold pretty well - wet or dry @ the right price



Bridgestone Spitefire S11
100/90 + 130/90

And I am running those tires. At the time this photo was taken, I had yet to replace the front. Tubeless with no stamp on either wheel. No probs as of yet.