Tubed or tubeless

[yingchlin]

Hello all, I have a 79 xs11 since 2016 and I wanted to change out its tires and realized that there are tubed and tubeless differences. Is there a way to tell which one is on mine without pulling the wheels off? I searched for posts on the forum but did not have an idea (most of the picture may have been deleted).

[motoman]

Hello all, I have a 79 xs11 since 2016 and I wanted to change out its tires and realized that there are tubed and tubeless differences. Is there a way to tell which one is on mine without pulling the wheels off? I searched for posts on the forum but did not have an idea (most of the picture may have been deleted).

IIRC, tube type is stated on rim. Other than that, valve stem, where it comes through wheel tells you real quick. Tubless, it will have a sealing shoulder against rim. Tube type, stem just pokes thru hole in wheel.

[DiverRay]

Check the spokes for a "suitable for tubeless" stamp. '79 was a mixed year, so if the bike was built early, it is probably tube type. Anything after about Feb 1979 should be tubeless.

[yingchlin]

I looked very closely to the wheels and seems like I can not find the "suitable for tubeless" message on the rims and find on the rear one a "78". So, I guess it's a tubed bike then.

current size 100/90-19 and 130/90-17

Now comes the question:

Front: 19", 90/90 or 100/90
Rear: 17", 110/90 or 110/100 or 120/80 or 120/90

Which ones should I choose from and any advantages for one over the other?

I am no sure why the previous owner went with 130/90 rear. It seems ok but tight fit and feels harder to corner.

I will buy tires and tubes online and bring them to a dealer to be installed.

[yingchlin]

I guess I slapped myself on the face, I have found the correct tire sizes on the site.

[DiverRay]

So you know, one other way to know if you have a tube type rim on the rear is the second hole across from the air valve. This is for the rim lock the '78 had to keep from spinning the tire on the rim.
Some of us HAVE run tubeless on the tube type rim, but keep in mind the tire may come off the rime if you get a flat/low air situation.( I have put a lot of miles on tube rims running tubeless with no problem)

[skids]

My bikes have the rim lock holes (rear only) sealed by previous owners. I tried to get a tire off the rim with tire irons and I couldn't do it. Even if you did get a "blowout", it is the rear tier, so I would expect that complete loss of control would not occur...

[skids]

PS, make sure you use a tube on the front wheel especially if wheels are not suitable for tubeless.

[ViperRon]

Tubeless

Here is an important issue to watch out for. No mater what you do never try to use a tube type tire on a tubeless rim without a tube. They will hold air they will seal and I have seen them blow off the rim at road speeds and if it happens on the front it can most assuredly be a bad day.