Wire wheels and radial tires with or without tubes?

[John Kat]

I'm contemplating relacing my wire wheels with larger rims to go on my GS 1100 SD Kat.
The question is: what's the right mix?
I've seen that it's possible to get 4.25" rear wheel rims to suit 160 tires but...these sizes require a radial tire.
Radial tires on the other hand are apparently incompatible with inner tubes?
Is this true?
If so I would then be obliged to fit special airproof nipples to run tubeless tires.
Any experience out there?

[TheCafeKid]

Buchannans (sp) wire wheels can seal wire rims, as well as make custom sized stuff. Dayton Wire Wheels here in Ohio has been doing sealed wire wheels for a long time. Someone told me they'll do custom motorcycle stuff too but I've never investigated. Migh be worth a call to em to see. Someone (I think ElGiablo) posted recently that Buchannans was doing his rims for his Kat for around a grand.

As far as bias ply goes, Avon makes a 150/70-17 that's a damn good tire and could run tube or tubelss. You might also check out picking up rims on eBay from a Triumph Thruxton or the like. I'm fairly certain they're running a wide tire, maybe even radial. Then it would just be a matter of having a hub machined to fit the rim with GS components.

Also do a search on the interwebs. I saw an article recently and out a company making a new type of laced wheel that is airtight. Can't think of the name at the moment, but they're machined so that the nipples are part of the rim itself and all one piece. Neat stuff. I'm sure they're not cheap but it's an option.

[Big T]

Old wire wheels need a bias ply tire, due to air leakage.
You can get them sealed, however

BMW, Ducati, Aprilia and Triumph all have current models that have wire wheels that are sealed and run radial tires

But, wait until you see what one costs!! You'll see why most people convert to a later GSX (R) wheel to run radials