tube or tubeless

[Pat Kelly]

I'm curious about something.
Do the stock XS wheels (78 E in this case) recommend tube or tubeless tires?
I didn't think tubeless m/c tires were available in the late 70's.
My bike has a set of Pirelli's that say they're tubeless and I believe that they have tubes in them (had them put on at a shop and I think I remember being charged for tubes).
I've heard that tubeless tires should not be run with tubes installed.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated (I leave for Sids on Tues. and would like to correct any dangerous stiuation beforehand).

Thanks Y'all...

[sixtysix]

Well a 78 (Some early 79's also) did have tubed tires (and rim locks) so a 78 has a different rim than the other XS's, just look on the rim itself and it will say 'tube type' or 'tubless'. Anyway from earlier discussions is seems that a 78 rim can be run with out a tube and with out the bead locks. Most people just stick two extra valve stems in the holes for the bolt on the bead locks.

Two possible reasons for that the rim will not work for a tubeless tire are 'metal porosity' with means it may have gaps in the casting that cause air to leak and 'the shape of the rim (bead area)' was changed when they went to tubless tires.

All that being said, I would never run a 78 rim without bead locks and a tube in a tube type tire. But I have seen XS that do both.