Tube or tubeless rims?

The rims on my '78 kz650C2 are the tube type, first picture.

Are the '79 kz650C3 rims tubeless? Second pic.
The profile of the outside of the rim is totally different on the C3. More squared off compared to the C2's rounded outter profile.

I know this sounds a little obvious but what's stamped on the rim?

Later, Doug

They are tube type. 1979 KZ1000ST and KZ1300 introduced tubeless type tires to the Kawasaki line, then in 1981 other larger bore models went tubeless. It looks like 1983 was the last KZ650 and the only tubeless KZ650 model.

RonKZ650 wrote:

They are tube type. 1979 KZ1000ST and KZ1300 introduced tubeless type tires to the Kawasaki line, then in 1981 other larger bore models went tubeless. It looks like 1983 was the last KZ650 and the only tubeless KZ650 model.

My 78 KZ650 has tubeless rims. The rear rim has TL cast into it and the inner profile has a bead keeper type lip. I doubt that it is off of another bike as it appears nothing else was changed by the previous owners (I'm including oil and spark plugs in this statement ).

If you know the model the rims come off, you can check the Kawasaki.com parts diagrams to see if tubes are listed for that bike.

I can't seem to find a casting mark saying either tube or tubeless.
The size cast into the '79 C3 is: J 18 x MT2.15 Dot
Where as the one on my '78 does not have the MT in the size cast, just: J 18 x 2.15 Dot.

If you know the model the rims come off

It's off a 1979 KZ650C3.
When I check the Kawasaki.com parts diagrams, it shows a tube.
The diagrams also shows the Rim stopper (bead lock) but there are no bead lock posts sticking through the rim like the '78 C2 I have.

This list shows the models that share the Rim stoppers (bead lock):
Model (:
KZ1000-A3 (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A3A (KZ1000) (1979)
KZ1000-A4 (KZ1000) (1980)
KZ1000-D1 (Z1R) (1978)
KZ1000-D3 (Z1R) (1980)
KZ650-C1 (Custom) (1977)
KZ650-C2 (Custom) (1978)
KZ650-C3 (Custom) (1979)

Guess I should remove the tire and check for the "bead keeper type lip".

I just thought that with the completely different shape to the rim, and having no bead locks, that it was a tubeless type of rim.

Well I know for sure a 78 KZ650D is a tube type wheel. At least they fitted a tube from the factory.

RonKZ650 wrote:

Well I know for sure a 78 KZ650D is a tube type wheel. At least they fitted a tube from the factory.

I've got the same year and model and it has tubeless wheels. It probably came with tubes from the factory, but it is a tubeless wheel. Just my 0.02

The rear rim has TL cast into it

KawiConvert, where did you find the TL cast mark on the rim?
I looked all over it and could not find any Ts, TL or any other marks other than the size mark casts and Kawasaki and Enkel I believe.

My 650C2 came stock with the rim locks and tubes. My wheels have a profile like pic #1. Don't know whether there are any "TL" marks in the casting or not.

rstnick wrote:

The rear rim has TL cast into it

KawiConvert, where did you find the TL cast mark on the rim?
I looked all over it and could not find any Ts, TL or any other marks other than the size mark casts and Kawasaki and Enkel I believe.

On the drive side of the rim it has
"T 16 x 3.00TL DOT"
cast in it. I assume the TL means tubeless as it has the keeper lip. Mine also had Kawasaki and Made in Japan cast on it.

rstnick, the second rim pictured is also a tube type rim. See the squared off center section? Notice that it is really shallow? Tubeless rims have a deeper (much deeper) well in the center of the rim for the tire bead to slide into during installation/removal.