tubes?

[garyrc]

is there a trick to found out if a xs1100 has tubes or is tubless just by looking?

[John]

Examin the rim. Somewhere on the rim, I don't remember exactly, you will see the word tubetype, or tubless.

[fxrer]

Look at the valve stem. If it is threaded metal, with a lock nut securing it to the rim, it's tubeless. If it is a rubber covered stem, poking through a hole in the rim, that's a tube.

[garyrc]

it seems to have what looks like 3 metal deals coming out of the rim. but only one is for air why. and is this tubless

[Snow]

Sounds like a tube-type to me - those other two should be for rim strips.

[garyrc]

ok but all three are metal threaded whith lock nuts

[Snow]

Sounds like someone "converted" it to tubeless - which I believe is generally considered a bad idea on rear wheels.

[garyrc]

hmmmmmm. the front is single metal treaded with lock. the back has all three, all look the same but on two ends are solid

[DiverRay]

The rear rim is a tube type. the solid bolts are for the tire lock, to keep it from spinning on the rim. Some of the newer tubes do have a "lock nut" on the valve stem. you may have one of those types.
You do need to keep running tubes on the rims, as the tubeless will not seal.

[garyrc]

but as john stated it should say on the rim. so i guess once i get home i will look to be sure. i know that my tires say both uses.

[DiverRay]

Almost all the newer motorcycle tires say both. I have a tubeless front rim, from an 80, and my tube type rear that was stock on the 79.
I run the front tire tubeless, and a tube in the rear.

[dntemp_ca]

My 78E has tubeless front and tubed rear with two rim locks. I just put a new set of tires on by myself. 130/90 on the rear and 110/90 on front. They look pretty meaty compared to the skinny old ones. I like it! Lots of grunting, a couple skinned knuckles and some blue air trying to get those nasty rim locks in, but it wasn't all that bad.

[prometheus578]

Like far out, man... totally tubular!

Went out to check my wheels, but found nothing. DUH!!! Check the book.
I have a 79F and both wheels need tubes, and the rear has two rimlocks so the tire doesn't spin on the rim during those great accelerations.
If a rim is designed for tubeless applications, it will have "Suitable For Tubeless Tires" stamped on one of the spokes. (I knew there was something stamped somewhere)
"Tube" rims are not designed to properly hold a tire on the bead unless there's a tube installed.
"The great and powerful OZ has 'spoke'n"

[prometheus578]

Gary... tires can fit any application. It's the RIMs that have the final say whether to tube or not.
But I've talked too much, and you're all bored. Like they say... "The longer the spoke , the bigger the tire ."

[Czekus21]

There was a thread started awhile back on this. I think it was about identifying tube and tubless rims.