lubricating the innertube

  • SpecialGreen
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lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 12:16 - 10 Apr 2020 12:16
#823026
I'm mounting new tires with new tubes today. I've read that I should use baby powder between tube and tire to allow the tube to slide around into a good position without creasing. And to air it up, let the air out, and air it up a second time.

I've read that baby powder is now mostly cornstarch due to asbestos concerns, and not so good in tires anymore. Anything else to use? I have baking soda, blue chalk (from chalk string line), some graphite powder... I also wonder why I shouldn't just paint the inside of the tire with soapy water (I mix Dawn + water 50/50 and use that to lubricate the bead while mounting). I could make a run to the store, but am trying to avoid meeting too many people this month (coronavirus).
Last edit: 10 Apr 2020 12:16 by SpecialGreen.

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  • Kidkawie
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Re: lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 13:03 - 10 Apr 2020 13:04
#823030
Baby powder. You wont die and it wont hurt your tubes.
1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125
Last edit: 10 Apr 2020 13:04 by Kidkawie.

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  • bluej58
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Re: lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 13:23 - 10 Apr 2020 13:24
#823033
If you have spoke tires I would not use soapy water, it promotes inside rust IMO
Baby powder is what I use too, do it out side because if you get some on the floor it's very slippery
78 KZ1000 A2A
Last edit: 10 Apr 2020 13:24 by bluej58.

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  • 650ed
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Re: lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 13:47
#823035
For the past 55 years I've always mounted my own motorcycle tires and always used baby powder on the tubes. So far, so good. ;) Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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  • Nessism
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Re: lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 15:59
#823041
Baby powder on tubes improving fitment is an urban legend. As commonly discussed on bicycle forums as oil threads are on motor vehicle forums. Don't waste your time.
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0

www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know

1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread

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  • z1kzonly
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Re: lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 16:55
#823045
Speaking of inner tubes! I need a wider 18" for a small 5.5" slick on a 3.5 aluminum rim. Having a hard time finding one. Most are small 3.50/4.00. Or 120/130. Wonder how small I can go. Looking at the Harleys, they have 18" wide on some models but most are tubless on aluminum rims? Wonder if I can seal this spoke rim??? with a 1/2" of silicone bead?
Livin in "CheektaVegas, NY
Went thru 25 of these in 40 yrs.
I SOLD OUT! THE KAW BARN IS EMPTY.
More room for The Old Girl, Harley 75 FLH Electra Glide,
Old faithful! Points ign. Bendix Orig. carb.
Starts everytime!

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  • Nebr_Rex
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Re: lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 18:06
#823049
I was into stockcar racing back in the late nineties.
Mounted my own tires with tubes, baby powder makes a hell of a difference.


.
2002 ZRX1200R
81 GPz1100
79 KZ1000st daily ride
79 KZ1000mk2 prodject
78 KZ650sr
78 KZ650b
81 KZ750e
80 KZ750ltd
77 KZ400/440 cafe project
76 KZ400/440 Fuel Injected

www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=39120.0


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  • Kidkawie
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Re: lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 19:17 - 10 Apr 2020 19:18
#823056
z1kzonly wrote: Speaking of inner tubes! I need a wider 18" for a small 5.5" slick on a 3.5 aluminum rim. Having a hard time finding one. Most are small 3.50/4.00. Or 120/130. Wonder how small I can go. Looking at the Harleys, they have 18" wide on some models but most are tubless on aluminum rims? Wonder if I can seal this spoke rim??? with a 1/2" of silicone bead?

Check out Jake the Garden Snake XR650 supermoto build on youtube if you want to convert spoke to tubeless.
1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125
Last edit: 10 Apr 2020 19:18 by Kidkawie.

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  • 650ed
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Re: lubricating the innertube

10 Apr 2020 20:50 - 10 Apr 2020 20:53
#823059
I noticed that the rims Jake the Garden Snake used had the extra ridge that would help keep a tire in place if air was lost or the tire was bumped sideways. Unfortunately many tube type KZ rims don't have that ridge, so there's a risk that the tire without a tube could lose all pressure under certain circumstances. Ed



1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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Last edit: 10 Apr 2020 20:53 by 650ed.

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  • M_a_t_t
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Re: lubricating the innertube

11 Apr 2020 04:52
#823070
SpecialGreen wrote: I'm mounting new tires with new tubes today. I've read that I should use baby powder between tube and tire to allow the tube to slide around into a good position without creasing. And to air it up, let the air out, and air it up a second time.

I've read that baby powder is now mostly cornstarch due to asbestos concerns, and not so good in tires anymore. Anything else to use? I have baking soda, blue chalk (from chalk string line), some graphite powder... I also wonder why I shouldn't just paint the inside of the tire with soapy water (I mix Dawn + water 50/50 and use that to lubricate the bead while mounting). I could make a run to the store, but am trying to avoid meeting too many people this month (coronavirus).

I think he is looking for an alternative.

I think you kind of answered your own question. Since it is arguably noncritical lubrication I would just use cornstarch or other similar powder.
83 KZ1100A (shaft)
17 Versys X 300 abs
81 kz650h1
81 kz750e2
90 Honda CBR600F (brother's)

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  • kevski
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Re: lubricating the innertube

11 Apr 2020 06:31 - 11 Apr 2020 06:32
#823075
Use ground up chalk, will behave like talc, which is like having millions of microscopic ball bearings, allowing the surfaces to roll over each other, FDA still doing research into this matter, been using talcum since I were a baby, 58 years and ain't dead yet.
Last edit: 11 Apr 2020 06:32 by kevski.

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  • SWest
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Re: lubricating the innertube

11 Apr 2020 07:33
#823085
I would think using organic matter would act as glue or at least make a mess. Always used baby powder and always will.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

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