Author Topic: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?  (Read 3456 times)

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scout4924

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Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« on: March 25, 2010, 12:18:14 PM »
I ordered tubeless tires to put on my 72 cb450's rims. (forgot to get tubes and rim strips)
Is the tire bead going to work with the rim, being its a tubeless tire? don't want a safety issue.
I'm runnung a 4.25" (120-90) on the same rim of a 72 cb500. How wide of a tire can I safely put on a Honda rim and still be safe? I don't have other clearence issues, I refering to the bead locking and staying on it!

Offline Inigo Montoya

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2010, 12:21:34 PM »
the cb rim has no bead lock on it so if the tire goes flat, it will probably get messy fast.
From a safety standpoint, no you should not do it.
You can seal up the spokes so the tire does hold air, it is just the ridge that is missing for locking the tire on.
I thought about this to and there is an insert for mx tires that allows them to be tubeless but it is not made for a street bike.
I also though about welding in a ridge but my suspicion is that it would discolor the rim and probably not work the best.

Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2010, 12:30:10 PM »
Sure, just put on some tubes and rim strips.
I would recommend going with the tire width Honda recommended for the bike, they specified that for a reason.
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Offline NickC

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2010, 12:49:18 PM »
I've been running my tubed "tubless" tire for a while now, without issue.

Offline Inigo Montoya

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2010, 01:19:21 PM »
Sorry I was thinking he wanted to run the tire tubeless on the rim.

Offline MCRider

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2010, 01:32:43 PM »
I ordered tubeless tires to put on my 72 cb450's rims. (forgot to get tubes and rim strips)
Is the tire bead going to work with the rim, being its a tubeless tire? don't want a safety issue.
I'm runnung a 4.25" (120-90) on the same rim of a 72 cb500. How wide of a tire can I safely put on a Honda rim and still be safe? I don't have other clearence issues, I refering to the bead locking and staying on it!
Need t know how wide the rim is first. I'd say a 4.25 on a 500 is pushing it.

Try this:  http://www.dansmc.com/rimwidth.htm
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Offline ddrink

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2010, 02:33:52 PM »
As long as it's a bias ply, tube type tire you will be fine running a tube in it.

Offline MCRider

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2010, 06:08:06 PM »
You can run any motorcycle tire whether considered tubed or tubeless, (including radials), on a spoked wheel as long as you use a rim strip (or tape) and a tube.

At least thats how I've been learned.
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Offline MaaseyRacer

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2010, 02:52:52 PM »
I have read some good articles on going tubeless on the supermoto forums (I think supermoto junkie).  There is quite a bit of success from what I have read on those forums.  I think the statements that you should do what Honda recommends is not the most accurate statement.  If you were to do what Honda recommends you would be putting leaded gasoline in your tank.  Times have changed, modern technologies are here, and so are modern adhesives.

Update:  Here is what I was looking for:
http://www.supermotojunkie.com/showthread.php?t=5090
« Last Edit: March 29, 2010, 02:56:49 PM by MaaseyRacer »
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2010, 02:59:02 PM »
Almost all tire you can buy today are tube or tubeless. There are outfits that claim they can modify the wheel to make it tubeless. They seal the spokes with some goop. I would think a spoked wheel may have some flex and he goop would loosen. As one who has had a flat in the middle of nowhere and it is not fun.
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Offline HavocTurbo

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2010, 03:12:45 PM »
If you look at a Dayton wheel though....

The spokes are sealed with silicone.

Granted a car wheel is a little different.... but still.
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Offline BobbyR

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Re: Can I run tubeless tires on a spoked wheel?
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2010, 03:50:49 PM »
As was brought up before is the rim lip may not be suitable for tubeless tires. I am no fan of tubes at all. I was stuck for 4 hours in some butthole town in upstate NY. I got some flat fix, but it does not work on tubes.
Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?