tubeless rims on some F models

[Mike Hart]

I just stumbled across this bit of info - the 79F came with tubeless rims starting with S/N 2H7-026951

(edit 8/29/02: that information is from the 79SF microfiche tech bulletin supplement)

[karateman]

i just changed my front and it had a tube , but i left it out cause i thought all mags were tubeless . it hasent lost any air yet
should i be concerned?

[sixtysix]

Originally posted by karateman
i just changed my front and it had a tube , but i left it out cause i thought all mags were tubeless . it hasent lost any air yet
should i be concerned?

I would be, but that's just me. In my opinion if is is suppose to have a tube then it should have one, tires are your only connection to the road. Your rim will say on it in big letters 'tubeless' or 'tube type'. Check it out. The tube type rims have a different bead shape from what I am told.

[networker]

rear brake bracket difference



I just mounted a tubless (16 inch) rear wheel on my 79F. It originally came with a 17 inch tube-type rear wheel.

I ran into trouble with the brake mounting collars... it looks like the tubless style wheel requires a slightly different caliper mounting bracket.

I suspect (though I'm not yet sure) that the later models had the thick aluminum caliper bracket mounted to the outside and the thin steel braket mounted to the inside. This would make the thin steel bracket easier to manufacture (as it would be straighter, and the dies would be simplier).

Anyway... until I get this figured out I had to remove the rear brake assembly and build a substitute spacer for it.

No great loss... both times I've been in accidents it's been because I over-used the rear brake during a panic stop !!!

Now if I coud just get those SS lines on the front ....

[Bob]

16' wheel on an F

Hey Networker.

I have a 79 F on which I also replaced the 17" rear wheel with a 16" wheel from a 79 Special. I've been riding like this for about 2 years with no problems. There are 2 brackets on the brake caliper that fit to the axle. I installed a spacer between the two brackets on the axle: frame, "thinner bracket", spacer (about 1/4" or so), then the "big" caliper bracket, then the wheel. Hope this helps.

[Dennyz]

My "F" came with a tube in both tires. I took a good look at both the rims on my "F" and the tubeless rims on my "SF".

The rear rims on both bike look to be made of the same material and same construction (except one is 17" and the other 16"). The "SF" was marked "Tubeless" on one of the rim spokes. I tapped and plugged the rim lock holes on my 17" rim. I have been running without a tube for the last 30K miles.

The front rims where much different. In my opinion, the rim that came on my "F" was not as strong as the one on my "SF". With both rims side by side, the differences where obvious. The bead shoulder and center webbing do not have as much material on my “F” rim, compared to my “SF” rim. The “SF” front rim also is marked “Tubless" on one of the spokes. I picked up a “tubeless” rim and discarded my stock “F” rim. My concern was that the original rim may not have had the rim strength to support a tubeless tire.

I put a lot of trust in my front wheel and would hate to have it fail.

[networker]

16 inch wheel on a 79F



Hmmm.... That's the way I originally put it back together. But, The disk edge and the caliper mounting bracket would bind on the outside and stop me from tightening the axle.

It looks like the thick aluminum bracket needs to move outboard an additional 1/8 inch to place the disk in the middle of the slot...

I was thinking the following might align better. From the outside in <-- frame, spacer, thick bracket, thin bracket, bearing dust cap, wheel.

I know, it's not right.... but the disk binds against the caliper mounting bracket......

Jim

[Ken Talbot]

I had a similar problem when I put a 16" wheel on SWMBO's 'H. It took a bit of mixing and matching with collars, and a bit of grinding on the inside of the right swingarm. That installation now looks like this:
[IMG]/forum/images/tips/20020831-dsc01888.jpg[/IMG]

This compares to the 17" installation:
[IMG]/forum/images/tips/20020831-dsc01889.jpg[/IMG]

[networker]

RE: 16 inch wheel on 79F



Most Excellent !! I assume you had to grind on the right-side swingarm so that you could tighten the axle nut down far enough to get a cotter pin though the crown nut.

Thanks For the pictures Ken!!!!

[Ken Talbot]

Actually, I had to grind the right side swingarm just to make room for everything. I probably cussed at it for about half an hour till I figured that it just wouldn't fit without the grinding......

[mason79]

tubeless yeah!

[thewiz]

My original F ...

that I bought some time during the summer of 80 had all tubless. My riding buddies had Es and were stuck with tubes. Those boys were envious of my tubless rig ... especially when one of them got a flat. They learned to carry spare tubes. There was, of course, no internet then and a group of 3 XS11 riders in one place was a lot .... not much fresh info comming in other than what we figured out. Even replaced a second gear on one of the Es back then. Those issues showed up early sometimes.

[andreashweiss]

I have a 17inch rear tubeless rim, with bearings, you supply plastic dust cover and final drive spline $45 shipped in continental USA also have 19 inch front tubeless with bearings $45 shipped continetal USA. Cosmetically clean and nice,if anyone wants to upgrade, thanx andreas, just send me a PM,

[thewiz]

Adnreas, you are the ...

bomb-schinzzle Love the way you pay attention.

I was looking for one of those, myself, earlier this year but finally found it. Anyone who would like one of those should jump on it ... they aren't easy to find.