82 Gpz1100 ...what are dangers of running tubes inside tires?

Soapy water or other lubricants used in seating the tire can degrade bare aluminum and over time cause pitting preventing sealing. No harm in running a tube in a tubeless tire, but if you get a radial tire you must use a tube intended for that application as radial tires carcass gets much hotter than a bias ply

Also the rim must be able to safely accommodate the valve stem of the tube.

The tire doesn't care if there is a tube inside; whether or not a tube is used depends on the rim. Tubeless rims have been checked for porosity and the stem hole is properly profiled for a tubeless stem. Most tubeless rims have a profile with two humps too, to keep the rim on the bead in case of a deflation, but not all tubeless KZ rims do. It's another of thoes condrumdrums which shows there are no definitives when it comes to this sort of stuff.

All part exploded views show tubes for my wheels. I’m going to put one back in. Live and learn!

Mikaw wrote: I took my 1978 kz1000 Rear mag to a shop to replace the tube. He called me and said,” you don’t need a tube on mag wheels.” Well now I know better.

The guy at the shop needs more training since he apparently is not familiar with older motorcycle wheels; you are doing the correct thing by not going back there.

As an example, the rear wheel on my K1977 KZ650-C1 (and on some other models) has two rim lock holes in addition to the valve stem hole. Those holes are there to accommodate rim locks which will keep the tire from slipping on the rim during hard acceleration since that slippage can tear the tube valve stem off the tire (this happened to me on my BSA). Obviously, if no tube is used those rim lock holes will immediately leak air, but even if one was to weld them closed the valve stem hole is not made to accommodate a tubeless valve stem type. Besides that, even of one was to also modify the valve stem hole the wheel casting is not necessarily without small air leaks since it was built for a tube, and the wheel shape is not designed to hold a tubeless tire in place if the air pressure gets too low. Below is a picture of the humps that Nessism mentioned. Ed

Gdailey2112 wrote:

TexasKZ wrote: Why would you want to do that?

The idiot that owned this bike prior to me had used fix a flat in both tires. A LOT OF IT!! I cleaned the f*** out of 'em, .. cleaned them the best I could. Both tires leak in several places between rim and tire. Stumped!

Some people should not be allowed to own nice things. I guess tubes are your best option short of replacing the wheels.

I just finished cleaning up and light polish on the rear mag. Still need to buff off wax. New crush drive, bearings and seals. Tube is going back in. Wheel replacement is not an option . Tire will be though this fall.

Thank you!! You guys are purdy damn awesome!! Very good information!!

Quick question, what size (pertinent dimensions) of inner tube will I need if my front wheel is MT 1.85 x 19? And also for the rear MT 3.00 x 16? This is an area where I'm clueless. Much thanks in advance. Gary

Gdailey2112 wrote: Quick question, what size (pertinent dimensions) of inner tube will I need if my front wheel is MT 1.85 x 19? And also for the rear MT 3.00 x 16? This is an area where I'm clueless. Much thanks in advance. Gary

Tube size depends on tire size. For example, you need a 100/90-19 front tire so get a tube that fits that size tire.

My tubeless front tire is a 100/90/19, and the tube I used was marked the same size, 100/90/19. There is a size chart here....... www.bmikarts.com/Motorcycle-Inner-Tube-S...ross-Reference-Guide