Topic: Tire Tube Readings

[Ellz10]

I'm always ashamed to ask stupid questions, but that's the only way I'll understand lol.

So my front rim is 3.50" and my rear rim is 4.25" and so I bought the tubes to fit those sizes. However when I received them today I notice below those numbers are tire sizes and my tire sizes don't fit those. Do those tire sizes on the box serve a different purpose? Did I purchase the correct tubes?

[seanbarney41]

tubes are stretchy.  So when you put air in them they stretch like a balloon basically until the inside of your tires stops them.  So yeah those will work as long as you have an 18" front

[robvangulik]

On the box are the sizes the tubes can be used with. I'll put a conversion table under here.

[Ellz10]

On the box are the sizes the tubes can be used with. I'll put a conversion table under here.

So that means that my front 3.50" rim that I have my 130/70-18 wheel to go with - this tube won't fit?

Same with my 4.25" rear with my 150/70-18 wheel.

So I have to get a tube that specifically states 3.5 and fits 130/70-18?

[newday777]

On the box are the sizes the tubes can be used with. I'll put a conversion table under here.

So that means that my front 3.50" rim that I have my 130/70-18 wheel to go with - this tube won't fit?

Same with my 4.25" rear with my 150/70-18 wheel.

So I have to get a tube that specifically states 3.5 and fits 130/70-18?

You need a tube to fit your tire size, not the rim size. You need a tube to fit 130/70-18 if that is your tire size.

[newday777]

I'm always ashamed to ask stupid questions, but that's the only way I'll understand lol.

So my front rim is 3.50" and my rear rim is 4.25" and so I bought the tubes to fit those sizes. However when I received them today I notice below those numbers are tire sizes and my tire sizes don't fit those. Do those tire sizes on the box serve a different purpose? Did I purchase the correct tubes?

The 3.25/3.50/3.75 18 on the tube box are tire sizes not rim sizes

[Ellz10]

On the box are the sizes the tubes can be used with. I'll put a conversion table under here.

So that means that my front 3.50" rim that I have my 130/70-18 wheel to go with - this tube won't fit?

Same with my 4.25" rear with my 150/70-18 wheel.

So I have to get a tube that specifically states 3.5 and fits 130/70-18?

You need a tube to fit your tire size, not the rim size. You need a tube to fit 130/70-18 if that is your tire size.

What's the point then? Isn't there a minimum and maximum tire size that can mount to certain rim sizes?  So why not just state that? It's so confusing.

Edit: I just spent 10.mins looking and I can't find a tube for my 130/70-18 that corresponds to a 3.50" rim. Same with the rear. The 150s are saying rim size of 6"+.

[Ellz10]

Is there anything detrimental about getting 2 different brands of tubes as long as they're both reg/HD/UHD?

[RAFster122s]

Eliz, it won't matter if you have two different brand tubes as long as they are good quality you aren't going to run into tube deteriorating before you need to put new tires on if you are changing your tires at least every 6 years... Odds are your tube could give you 10 years of life without an issue but you should be putting new tires on more frequent than that...

[Ellz10]

Eliz, it won't matter if you have two different brand tubes as long as they are good quality you aren't going to run into tube deteriorating before you need to put new tires on if you are changing your tires at least every 6 years... Odds are your tube could give you 10 years of life without an issue but you should be putting new tires on more frequent than that...

Okay that's good to know, thank you!

[PeWe]

Tire vs rim size chart is not always correct either.

I had a rear 120/80-18 tire on a 3.0-18 rim that should be a good match.
That tire started to behave  bad very early before worn out.
Same tire model, but 120/90 on stock 2.15 rim had good handling until flat and worn out.
 Changed to 130/80-18 wich is better on that rim.

[jpdevol]

On the box are the sizes the tubes can be used with. I'll put a conversion table under here.

So that means that my front 3.50" rim that I have my 130/70-18 wheel to go with - this tube won't fit?

Same with my 4.25" rear with my 150/70-18 wheel.

So I have to get a tube that specifically states 3.5 and fits 130/70-18?

You need a tube to fit your tire size, not the rim size. You need a tube to fit 130/70-18 if that is your tire size.

What's the point then? Isn't there a minimum and maximum tire size that can mount to certain rim sizes?  So why not just state that? It's so confusing.

Edit: I just spent 10.mins looking and I can't find a tube for my 130/70-18 that corresponds to a 3.50" rim. Same with the rear. The 150s are saying rim size of 6"+.

Possible alternatives if you have rim for center metal valve (CMV); fitment for your tire size range:

https://www.denniskirk.com/pirelli/18-tr-6-cmv-inner-tube-4-5-5-1-110-150-18-2107810.p535550.prd/535550.sku

https://www.denniskirk.com/pirelli/18-tr-6-cmv-inner-tube-4-4-5-100-140-18-2552510.p535551.prd/535551.sku

[newday777]

On the box are the sizes the tubes can be used with. I'll put a conversion table under here.

So that means that my front 3.50" rim that I have my 130/70-18 wheel to go with - this tube won't fit?

Same with my 4.25" rear with my 150/70-18 wheel.

So I have to get a tube that specifically states 3.5 and fits 130/70-18?

You need a tube to fit your tire size, not the rim size. You need a tube to fit 130/70-18 if that is your tire size.

What's the point then? Isn't there a minimum and maximum tire size that can mount to certain rim sizes?  So why not just state that? It's so confusing.

Edit: I just spent 10.mins looking and I can't find a tube for my 130/70-18 that corresponds to a 3.50" rim. Same with the rear. The 150s are saying rim size of 6"+.

They never use the rim size to determine the tube usage.

Tubes are marked for the tire size they are designed for  only.

Only tires are designed to fit a rim width.

[Deltarider]

[...] I'll put a conversion table under here.

Thanks, Rob, for posting that table.
Not to hijack this thread, but I often wondered what advantage or disadvantage one can expect, if you, instead of the conventional 3.25-19 and 3.75-18 tyres (CB500/550), have the 90/90 and 100/90 resp.

[robvangulik]

[...] I'll put a conversion table under here.

Thanks, Rob, for posting that table.
Not to hijack this thread, but I often wondered what advantage or disadvantage one can expect, if you, instead of the conventional 3.25-19 and 3.75-18 tyres (CB500/550), have the 90/90 and 100/90 resp.

Modern tyres have the width/height in their 'name' , so the 100/90 is (approx) 100mm wide and 90% of that high. The older inch named tyres are mostly round in profile. In the tyres for our CB's it doesn't make much difference, but for instance a 180/55x17 like on my CBR is much wider than high.

[Kevin D]

I’m a little late getting but here is a list of the tubes offered by Continental.

[Stev-o]

Spend a little extra and get good quality heavy duty tubes.  It's been noted lately that the cheap tubes are not holding air and deflate over the course of a few weeks or so.

[PeWe]

[...] I'll put a conversion table under here.

instead of the conventional 3.25-19 and 3.75-18 tyres (CB500/550), have the 90/90 and 100/90 resp.

I have tested 90/90-19 at front on my CB750 and it looked too skinny, more gap to fender.
3.25-19 or 100/90-19 is better.

[Deltarider]

But... these ' /90' tyres are all tubeless, I assume.

[PeWe]

All tires I have used since the 80's are tubeless, the laced rims not

[bryanj]

Nope/90 is just an aspect ratio nothing to do with tubed or tubless and tubless tyres can be used with a tube on spoked rims

[robvangulik]

But... these ' /90' tyres are all tubeless, I assume.

I usually buy my tyres at www.banden-pneus-online.nl , lots to choose between TubeType and TubeLess

[Alan F.]

Whichever tube you choose, get a Schrader valve wrench and make sure the valve is threaded in all the way and tightened. Over on the Royal Enfield forums lots of tires with slow leaks have been found to have Schrader valves a turn or two loose.

[Ellz10]

Never thought I'd spend so much time trying to figure out my inner tube situation 

Whichever tube you choose, get a Schrader valve wrench and make sure the valve is threaded in all the way and tightened. Over on the Royal Enfield forums lots of tires with slow leaks have been found to have Schrader valves a turn or two loose.

I'll be sure to remember this, thank you.

Spend a little extra and get good quality heavy duty tubes.  It's been noted lately that the cheap tubes are not holding air and deflate over the course of a few weeks or so.

I've only been able to find HD tubes for my rear tire and not for my front. Might just have to go with standard in the front.

[Alan F.]

Over on the Royal Enfield forums the Michelin Airstop tubes are thought to be the best. You can get them at Hitchcock's and they ship to the States.

https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/s.nl?ext=F&sc=1&category=&search=tube%20michelin