Tire pressure

TexasKZ wrote: Most tire manufacturers list the recommended pressure, which is lower than the maximum pressure, on their website.

Ok, the next time i type this, tell me to shut up. I have looked at Metzeler, Michelin, Avon, Pirelli and Dunflop. None of them provide recommended inflation pressures for tires on vintage Kawasakis, but do provide that information for the newer bikes. :blush: .

TexasKZ wrote:

TexasKZ wrote: Most tire manufacturers list the recommended pressure, which is lower than the maximum pressure, on their website.

Ok, the next time i type this, tell me to shut up. I have looked at Metzeler, Michelin, Avon, Pirelli and Dunflop. None of them provide recommended inflation pressures for tires on vintage Kawasakis, but do provide that information for the newer bikes. :blush: .

I just looked on AVON site
Shows Tire pressure guidelines by going from home page to TECH which drops down a tire pressure guideline chart
It then breaks down types of bikes , Load on bikes , tire size, Then pressures for front and back tires

Yeah,Tex,I checked the Metzeler site,found the ME77 in the "Technical data" download book,but nothing on pressure.I'm with you on the 32 and 36 thing,my Harley ran these numbers and most bikes I've owned that had tubeless were in that range.Sorry Martin,thought it was pretty clear in my original post I had tubeless tires.I dont think tubeless tires would hold air on a wheel meant for tubes.

TexasKZ wrote:

TexasKZ wrote: Most tire manufacturers list the recommended pressure, which is lower than the maximum pressure, on their website.

Ok, the next time i type this, tell me to shut up. I have looked at Metzeler, Michelin, Avon, Pirelli and Dunflop. None of them provide recommended inflation pressures for tires on vintage Kawasakis, but do provide that information for the newer bikes. :blush: .

The Avon UK site has tire pressures. For the Roadriders (great tires by the way) it's 33/36 psi.

Pirelli has info too. Sport Demon's should be 36/42 psi. I'm surprised they are so high.

Well, alrighty. I guess my online search skills really suk. :pinch: On the other hand, it seems like that sort of info ought to be really easy to find.

stokes wrote:

martin_csr wrote: Are your wheel tubeless or tube type? If the latter, you should run tubes.

Ya think?

YES; I THINK!

The fact that the tires are tubeless type doesn't mean your WHEELS are tubeless type. The 1980 KZ1000-B4 (LTD) came from the factory with TUBE TYPE rims (image below shows rear tire & tube). Running tubeless type tires on those rims is perfectly fine, but you need to run tubes in them. If you check them, I suspect you will discover they have tubes installed. If they don't you need to install tubes. Ed

Thanks,Ed.I assume you have a manual for the KZ 1000 B4 Ltd? I have to assume then that they do have tubes,or they wouldnt hold air,no? I always thought the tube rims wouldnt hold the bead on a tubeless tire.Also,the tube rim wouldnt hold a valve stem meant for a tubeless rim.
Martin,I stand corrected.

Lots of guys run tubeless on Japanese UJM aluminum wheels that originally came with tubes. You gotta modify the valve stem hole to accept the tubeless stem and then just slam on the tires. 95% of the time they hold air just fine. Those that don't usually have pitting on the sealing beads.

Some guys cry foul over this sort of mod but consider, both Suzuki and Kawasaki had tubeless wheels where the only difference from the tube type was the stem hole. Most tubeless wheels have an extra bead on the rim profile to hold the tire in case of a deflation, but not all. These are the early tubeless wheels I'm referring to. If the OEM's though these wheels were good enough to go tubeless it's hard to argue someone shouldn't make the mod if they want to. Fixing tubeless flats on the road is a whole lot easier than changing a tube.

stokes wrote: Thanks,Ed.I assume you have a manual for the KZ 1000 B4 Ltd? I have to assume then that they do have tubes,or they wouldnt hold air,no? I always thought the tube rims wouldnt hold the bead on a tubeless tire.Also,the tube rim wouldnt hold a valve stem meant for a tubeless rim.
Martin,I stand corrected.

In the link below click on " Select Assembly " and you'll see a list of the various parts diagrams for the 1980 KZ1000-B4 (LTD). Ed

www.powersportswarehouse.com/p/Kawasaki#...000-B4_LTD_(1980)//1

Thanks,Ed.Great link

Looking at the valve stems,it appears the front tire has a tube but the rear appears to have a tubeless valve.I guess I'll go with the pressure listed for the tubed tires.

The mag wheels I bought new in '77 always leaked even though they were supposed to be tubeless. I had a hell of a time convincing the shop to put tubes when I changed tires. :dry: