Tube or tubeless

[Invictus22]

So I have a 1980 gs550 E and I was wondering if anyone knows whether that bike is tubed or tubeless stock? The reason I ask is I was under the impression it was tubeless tires. But then today when I went to mount new tires, they had tubes in the old non-tubeless tires. And a regular valve stem won't fit? Any reason someone would put a tube in a tubeless tire? The old tires that came off the bike where tubeless continentals. Any and all thoughts or ideas or info will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[cowboyup3371]

The tires don't determine if you need tubes but rather the wheel itself. Look for the words tubeless tire applicable on the rim.

[scott]

I have the same bike with cast wheels (and no marking indicating the wheels support tubeless tires). I believe stock had tubes. I had new tires put on last year and the shop didn't have the right size tubes so they just "converted" it to tubeless.

I haven't had any issues and I've seen other posts on here where people went tubeless without any problems as well. However, I would have preferred to go the safe route and stick with tubes.

[Invictus22]

I have the same bike with cast wheels (and no marking indicating the wheels support tubeless tires). I believe stock had tubes. I had new tires put on last year and the shop didn't have the right size tubes so they just "converted" it to tubeless.

I haven't had any issues and I've seen other posts on here where people went tubeless without any problems as well. However, I would have preferred to go the safe route and stick with tubes.

This is the exact dilemma I am facing right now. When you Say "converted" what exactly do you mean? Did they just drill the valve stem hole large enough to fit a conventional valve stem? I am torn but if you haven't expireneced any problems I might just go that route. Thank you.

[Nessism]

This is the exact dilemma I am facing right now. When you Say "converted" what exactly do you mean? Did they just drill the valve stem hole large enough to fit a conventional valve stem? I am torn but if you haven't expireneced any problems I might just go that route. Thank you.

This is exactly what they do. Tons of threads discussing pros and cons in the archives.

[bwringer]

You can find out whether a bike originally had tubes simply by looking at the parts diagrams for the front and rear wheels. Try http://partshark.com or one of the many other online parts purveyors.

[bwringer]

This is the exact dilemma I am facing right now. When you Say "converted" what exactly do you mean? Did they just drill the valve stem hole large enough to fit a conventional valve stem? I am torn but if you haven't expireneced any problems I might just go that route. Thank you.

Do NOT just drill a larger hole. If you decide to convert to tubeless, first get proper motorcycle valve stems. Car valve stems are larger in diameter at the bottom. Motorcycle valve stems are the same diameter all the way down.

[Invictus22]

Do NOT just drill a larger hole. If you decide to convert to tubeless, first get proper motorcycle valve stems. Car valve stems are larger in diameter at the bottom. Motorcycle valve stems are the same diameter all the way down.

Ok this was my thoughts as well. Where can I order motorcycle valve stems? Also any advice in whether I should run tube or tubeless? Advantages to disadvantages? Will it Damage a tubeless tire running a tube in it?

[barnbiketom]

Ok this was my thoughts as well. Where can I order motorcycle valve stems? Also any advice in whether I should run tube or tubeless? Advantages to disadvantages? Will it Damage a tubeless tire running a tube in it?

NAPA has 'em

[bwringer]

Ok this was my thoughts as well. Where can I order motorcycle valve stems? Also any advice in whether I should run tube or tubeless? Advantages to disadvantages? Will it Damage a tubeless tire running a tube in it?

Tires in the sizes that fit our bikes are now all tube/tubeless. In other words, they can be installed on tubeless rims, or they can be installed with tubes on rims that require tubes.

Back in the olden days, there were some streetbike tires that required tubes no matter what the wheels said, but modern tires can all be used with or without tubes as needed.

My opinion is that you should use tubes if you're in any doubt at all as to whether you should convert your tube-style cast rims to tubeless. (You must use tubes with spokes rims.)

Many experienced riders believe that you should never convert to tubeless -- I'd encourage you to use the search functions so we don't have to rehash that debate here for the 974th time.

There are also lots of GS riders who have converted their cast wheels to tubeless. I don't recall seeing any reports of problems, but there are no guarantees. Maybe all the riders who had problems didn't survive...

If you do decide to convert to tubeless, do it correctly. Do not just drill out the holes for larger car valve stems. Instead, get proper metal motorcycle valve stems (Napa carries them, or any motorcycle shoppe). A motorcycle valve stem is the same diameter all the way down, whereas a car valve stem starts out skinny at the cap and then gets fatter where it goes through the wheel.

You will also need to machine a flat face on the inside of the wheel so that the valve stem can form a proper seal. On some rear rims, this is not a problem since they're flat on the inside, but on others it is needed. Most front rims require machining as well.

I use a 5/8" (16mm) counterbore with a 5/16" (8mm) pilot:


Like this -- a few careful seconds with the counterbore mounted in a cordless drill is all it takes. The rim in the photo is actually a tubeless front -- it was just a handy photo prop.