Topic: 550 tubless rims

[MD]

Looking for recommendations for tubeless rims for the CB550.   Planing on doing some multiple 1000 mile days.  The ability to put a plug in it, if I get a flat would be very nice.

Thanks for your help.

-MD

[scunny]

Comstar ?

[seanbarney41]

Early comstars are not tubeless.  They will hold air if you can find a valve stem that will seal the hole properly, but the bead section is not constructed to retain the tire in the event of a flat, so you would literally be risking your life to run these rims tubeless at road speeds.  I think you should look for a set of Lesters that have the "TL" stamp next to the d.o.t. stamp.  These should have the extra rib cast in, inside that keeps the tire from separating from the bead.

[Don R]

 Later model TL Lester mags. There have been a few floating around recently.

[Bankerdanny]

Lesters are easiest since they are bolt on. But if you're willing to do some adapting the relatively easy to find Morris/Lester replica rims found on many 70's and early 80's Kawasakis and Yamahas can be configured to work.

[MD]

Thanks for all the leads.

Bankerdanny,

What type of configurations are necessary for the  Morris/Lester replica rims?

-MD

[Bankerdanny]

You would need spacers to center the wheels correctly and to adapt the front brake rotors and speedo drive. I am not sure what the diameter of the axles are on the Kawa and Yamaha are, so you may also need to change out the wheel bearings to be able to fit the correct size axles.

Finding Lester or Henry Abe wheels for Hondas is easier and probably worth the extra money. I have seen some crazy asking prices (some fool is trying to get $1,800 for a set of Lesters right now), but if you are patient you should be able to get a set for $500 or so.

[MD]

You would need spacers to center the wheels correctly and to adapt the front brake rotors and speedo drive. I am not sure what the diameter of the axles are on the Kawa and Yamaha are, so you may also need to change out the wheel bearings to be able to fit the correct size axles.

Finding Lester or Henry Abe wheels for Hondas is easier and probably worth the extra money. I have seen some crazy asking prices (some fool is trying to get $1,800 for a set of Lesters right now), but if you are patient you should be able to get a set for $500 or so.

Thanks,

-MD

P.S.
An ideal solution would be a tubeless rim that can be laced to the stock hubs.  When does that BMW patent expire?

[PeWe]

Trip on good asphalt roads?
I made 4 tourings in the 80's from Sweden going south to former Jugoslavia or Italy via Germany, Austria. Another year Spain via France, Andorra.
No flat tires.  CB750 with stock laced wheels.
Each trip (and back) around 5000-6000km (3000 - 3800 miles).

All trips started on a new rear tire.

[MD]

Trip on good asphalt roads?
I made 4 tourings in the 80's from Sweden going south to former Jugoslavia or Italy via Germany, Austria. Another year Spain via France, Andorra.
No flat tires.  CB750 with stock laced wheels.
Each trip (and back) around 5000-6000km (3000 - 3800 miles).

All trips started on a new rear tire.

PeWe,

Thanks for the reply.   The backstory is that I want to ride some timed rallies.   I have ridden the bike on 3 Saddlesore 1000 rides without a flat.

A tube flat would take me an hour at least to fix.  (That is if I don't pinch the new tube.)  I have only had one flat and that was 3 miles from the house.   I use Ride On in the tubes which will plug an 1/8" hole. 

-MD

[PeWe]

At my last front tire change I had thoughts about how much easier it must be without the tube.
It is very tight when squeezing in the tube, guiding the valve stem thru the rim hole, especially front tire  3.25-19.
Lots of lube make it easier with less need of the tire iron the last step where the tube can be pinched.

[bryanj]

PeWe have you ever fitted a motorcycle tubless tyre? Unless it has been stored warm with either cardboard packingbetween beads or a partialy inflated tube in situ it is damn near impossible to get the beads to seal enough to blow it up

[PeWe]

No, only tubeless tires with a tube inside. I understand now when you write about it.

It must be a trick how to get the tire to seal and keep air until it will expand. Spread the tire with tools before?

[ralt12]

Anyone try Outex ?

[MD]

Anyone try Outex ?

You may have posted in the wrong thread,  "https://outex.com
Waterproof any camera with professional results. Outex is an underwater camera housing and waterproof camera cover that works with ALL Mirrorl"

[ralt12]

He means something like this from Outex:
https://woodyswheelworks.com/products/outex-tubeless-kit

[tlbranth]

3 of my bikes have tubes. The '99 Goldwing is by far the easiest to put a tire on (not counting getting the wheel off). I love the look of wire wheels but hate changing tube-tires.

[andy750]

He means something like this from Outex:
https://woodyswheelworks.com/products/outex-tubeless-kit

Would that work on our CB750/CB550 wheels? Are the spoked wheels compatible with tubless tires (to hold air)?

thanks
Andy

[MD]

He means something like this from Outex:
https://woodyswheelworks.com/products/outex-tubeless-kit

Would that work on our CB750/CB550 wheels? Are the spoked wheels compatible with tubless tires (to hold air)?

thanks
Andy

Andy,

My understanding is that there needs to be a second ridge in the rim to lock the tire bead.  I can't remember if stock rim has this.  Maybe someone knows of a rim that does.

-MD

[seanbarney41]

He means something like this from Outex:
https://woodyswheelworks.com/products/outex-tubeless-kit

Would that work on our CB750/CB550 wheels? Are the spoked wheels compatible with tubless tires (to hold air)?

thanks
Andy

Andy,

My understanding is that there needs to be a second ridge in the rim to lock the tire bead.  I can't remember if stock rim has this.  Maybe someone knows of a rim that does.

-MD

stock rim does not have the second ridge and I know of no spoked rim that does (except assuming the aforementioned BMW rims)
That is why that outex kit is really only meant for orv's.  Lot's of supermoto guys go ahead and use it anyway and go plenty fast on pavement with it...but then take a look at some of the other stuff supermoto guys do and ask if they are really concerned about safety...

Another concern or two...sticking that stuff to a crusty 40 year old stock rim is probably not gonna work anyway.  It's gotta be CLEAN!  So, you buy new rims and re-lace.  How long is that outex stuff gonna last? 10, 20, 40 years?  And what are you gonna do when it needs to be replaced?  Not gonna just peel back off a there...

[MD]

Sean,

Yea, I agree 40 year old rims would be problematic.  I was hoping that someone had made a rim that can be laced to the OEM hubs.  Its beginning to look like that it is time to start drawing and engineering rims with the bead lock for tubeless tire.  The sealing of the spoke nuts seems do able.  Though I would put a disk on each nut and then seal the rim so that spokes can be adjusted.

-MD

[seanbarney41]

but hey don't forget...I Have probably ridden over 200,000 miles on inner tubes and never had a flat.  I consider that lucky but just make sure your stuff is tip top and a 1000 mile rally is most likely no problem.  If you do have a flat, just be safe, and go ahead and do a good time next time.

[BigJimG]

He means something like this from Outex:
https://woodyswheelworks.com/products/outex-tubeless-kit

IF I was going to try something similar to that.  I would rather use this kit.  The 100 PSI bladder should hold the bead on the rim.  The other kit looks like what the mountain bike guys use to roll their own tubeless systems. 

https://woodyswheelworks.com/products/neutech-tubeless-kit