Difference Between Tube and Tubeless Wheels

[crazy steve]

Just a few quick pics to illustrate the actual differences between the tube and tubeless wheels...

[IMG][/IMG]

The rear wheels are identical excepts for the holes for the 'bead locks'...

[IMG][/IMG]

.. but the fronts aren't. Several things going on here; obviously, these are machined much different. The tube wheel has that odd curved recess for the tube, but more important, the sealing area at the edge is less than half the width of the tubeless wheel (.200" vs .410"). I know guys are running these wheels tubeless, but I'd personally be pretty hesitant to do that. Get a low tire and you could lose the bead seal...

[IMG][/IMG]

But that's not the only differences; the tube wheel is a different casting, not just machined different. The rotor mount is the obvious difference, but what's less obvious is the tube wheel is a heavier casting; the thickness of the spoke webs is .050" thicker over the tubeless wheel. The tube wheel weighs almost a pound more.

Just a FYI...

[bikerphil]

Interesting, someone (can't remember who) mic'd the 2 different type front wheels before and found them identical. On the tube type rim, would a tube inside the tire actually keep the tire from losing the bead seal at a pressure loss though?

[crazy steve]

There may be yet another wheel casting out there, who knows? This is a '78 wheel, but not particularly a early-production numbered one (115** serial).

And this early front wheel was being run tubeless. It was easy to break the bead, but the tire was harder to get off the rim as it didn't have that deep recess to pull the tire into while dismounting...

[SFSPECBIKER79]

front

is the one on left in the front wheels pictue the tubless or the one on right. thanks

[bikerphil]

Yep, maybe the 79's were different. I've had the two different types (79's) side by side and couldn't find any differences between the two, except for the marking. I'm running those 79 tube type with no tube.

[Tom Andersen]

I thought they changed to tubeless in '79? I swapped both my '78 wheels for '80's.

[bikerphil]

Tom, the early 79 Std's had tube type, the later had tubeless. All 79 Spec were tubeless. I just mic'd the two type rims in the spoke area, tube type rim is definitely beefier.

[3Phase]

Steve, does it say Tubeless on the front rim? If so it looks like I have a tube-type front rim on my project '79 Special. Bummer.

Is there a different casting number on the front rims or are they the same and you have to break out the calipers and measure the bead height?

[crazy steve]

Steve, does it say Tubeless on the front rim? If so it looks like I have a tube-type front rim on my project '79 Special. Bummer.

Is there a different casting number on the front rims or are they the same and you have to break out the calipers and measure the bead height?

The 'tubeless' rim I took the pic of is marked tubeless. I didn't check casting numbers, sorry...

You can see which 'type' it is from the outside; it's hard to see in the pic, but the tube wheel has a different rim profile. While you can see the 'step' on the tubeless wheel (left side) on the exterior, the tube wheel exterior is rounded just like it is on the inside...

[IMG][/IMG]

[3Phase]

Thanks, Steve, looks like I have a genuine, bona fide tube-type front rim.

[Eveready1100]

I thought there was some minor difference in the rim where the tyre bead seats to allow the tubeless tyres to "pop" into place amd not come unseated easily.
I went out and got the casting marks off both my bikes.
The standard's -
1 19 x 1.85 DOT
78-9-8- F01 JIL
H.T. M S
185 x 19
The special's -
MT 185 x 19 Japan
JIL FO4
6-2-79-8-3
ASAHI MALLEABLE IRON
and then stamped - not cast in - Suitable for tubeless tyres

[crazy steve]

I thought there was some minor difference in the rim where the tyre bead seats to allow the tubeless tyres to "pop" into place amd not come unseated easily...

That's what I expected to find too, but there isn't...

[MaximPhil]

Thanks, Steve, looks like I have a genuine, bona fide tube-type front rim.

Hi 3Phase,
Did you look in the recessed part of all the spokes? Mine has it cast/stamped in only one of the spoke recesses.
Phil

[3Phase]

Phil, actually, I are a moron. I had the rims off of my '79F and '79SF to look for cracks or any other damage so I checked the wrong rim, then I forgot to post back to this thread after I discovered the mixup.

My 79F has a tube-type front rim but my '79SF has a tubeless type rim with the "Suitable for tubeless" stamp on one spoke.

[ViperRon]

Blowout danger

My Father had an XS 11 Tubeless rims just like mine but in 86 took it to his friend that had a small Harley shop to order and replace tires. They ordered the tire online and when it came in they took the tires off and mounted the new ones. They had real dificulty mounting the tires getting the beed even but did not really look for a reason. The tires mounted inflated balanced ok and next step was to test ride. Everything was fine till father got up to about 60 and the rear blew loose from rim. Father was thrown clear from a flipping bouncing in the end fireball. The problem is

Tube type tires will mount on Tubeless Rims just fine but can blow off rim with any speed.