tube in a tubless tire?

[argonsagas]

Your thoughts on putting a tube in a tubeless tire, please.

Front tire
100/90-19
GS1100G


Ran over a tiny piece of bent wire. The upright part pierced the tire, approximately in the middle of the tread.

Wire diameter....roughly .020 inch

The wire had been a sparkler some kid had dropped on the road after it burned out..

Obviously, the tire is not ripped, but the air bleeds away slowly.

[Anonymous]

I just had my tires changed and they put a tube in the front, eventhough it was a tubeless tire. The inside of my wheel was a little rough so they put one in just in case. Regarding the tear, it sounds pretty small, a tube should work.

Brian
1981 GS650G
1984 V45 Sabre

[Anonymous]

I've done it before, Ron. No problems. I got a nail in the rear tire of my 82 GS850, took it to my friendly local Yamaha shop. They put a tube in it, and I ran it for well over 6,000 miles thereafter, to the end of its serviceable life.

Nick

[chuckycheese]

Dunlop

I don't pretend to know the answer to this one but......on Dunlop's website they say you should never use a tube in a tubeless tire because of a leak. I think they suggest that you repair the leak, instead. I haven't looked at the sight lately but..that's the way I remember it. :roll:

[Anonymous]

The disclaimer from Dunlop sounds like a case of CYA to me -- nothing more. I don't see why, if the leak is small enough and the tire is otherwise sound, a tube won't fix the problem successfully. It did with me.

Nick

[chuckycheese]

I doubt it

If it were a case of CYA they would hardly suggest patching the leak.They would probably advise patching the leak AND putting in a tube...or replacing the tire.

[Anonymous]

I had my tire put on at a Suzuki dealer, and I asked if it was ok to put the tube in. Turns out that there was one in the old tire ( did not know it had a tube). He said he has had to put a tube in many tubeless tires of all different makes. No Problem!!!!!

[chuckycheese]

Yes

Tubes are often placed in tubeless tires (I have them front and rear).....either because the cast wheel is porous or because the wheel is laced (with spokes)....what this post started out discussing..... was whether it was OK to rectify a leaking tire by sticking in a tube.

[Anonymous]

The tire specialists I've met over the years always repaired a leaking tubeless tire by putting a tube in. A patch or a plug (like they do with leaky car tires) are not considered safe enough.
They do however recommend not to take the bike over 180 kph with a tube.

[KGB]

I ran a tube in a tubeless tire for a couple thousand miles, no problems.
I agree Dunlop may be doing a CYA.
If you elect to patch it AND run a tube, be careful as the abrasion of the patch may cause the tube to let go.

Shouldn't be a problem.


Keith

[cbxchris]

Personally I would go to NAPA and get one of thier special patches and repair the tire....and not run a tube. The patch is round with a plug tipped with a metal needle to go through the hole...you have a patch inside and a plug. They have all sizes so make sure you get the one you need. I`ve used them several times and they are great. Believe me you will never go to the speeds I have went on them.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

My '79 1000 originally came with tubes and mag wheels. The brands of tires I've used over the years ALL say ''tubeless'' on the side. I've always kept the tubes. I've gone 117,000 miles without a problem. I'm sure if I tried to run without tubes they would leak.

[saaz]

No problem putting a tube in. I would prefer this to a patched tubeless tyre myself.

[Hap Call]

Last I looked, Dunlop does not recommend patching a tire at all...they say replace it. The disavantage of tubes is that they generate heat, especially under hard acceleration and at high speeds. If you are a normal everyday kind of rider, you should have no problem using a tube.

My preference is an internal patch. But I also run tubeless tires on my bike, which many people disagree with.

Hap

[HiSPL]

I have to agree with Hap. I went tubeless and have not lost excessive amounts of air either. Regardless of what the popular belief is, our cast wheels will hold air without a problem.....