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Tubeless tires?
Tubeless tires?
I'm a new member of VBMO. But I began my love affair with the marquee about 25 years ago when I bought my 1983 R100RT. Since then I've owned a 1966 R69S, 2000 R1150GS and now a 1981 R100RT. I do love this vintage RT. Even at 40years and 43k I'm riding it Sunday on an IronButt SS1000 https://www.ironbutt.com/themerides/ssseries/index.html. This will be the 7th IBA ride on this bike since 2017. Many upgrades, lot's of LEDs, unleaded fuel heads, rebuilt carbs, resealed Final drive, brakes, cables etc, etc.
I really love the bike but for one thing, tube tires! I know some folks go tubeless on the snow flakes but I'm not one. And removing and changing a tube is a PITA, especially the rear and especially during an IBA ride. Just curious are there any wheels that will fit the R100RT but are tubeless rated? I know the reintroduced Airheads in 1987 with tubeless, but that mono rear end is a problem
Thanks for any insights, if your in Maine on Sunday and see a Smoke Green RT give a wave or join me!
- srankin
- Posts: 1085
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
- Location: Spencerport, NY USA
- Been thanked: 21 times
Re: Tubeless tires?
There was a company called Lester which made as far as I know, replacement wheels on the early /6 and /7 bikes to replace spoked wheels. I don't know when they went out of business but they were not designed for tubeless use at all.
The Wheels for the mono shock bikes will not fit at all on the twin shock bikes due to different final drive system mounting, as well as the front mounting. I can't say for sure but I believe the 85 and newer bikes use a slightly larger diameter spindle.
I am not sure of the rear tire diameter and profile size for the 85 and newer bikes but I think it is a different diameter or size tire then the Pre 85 bikes. The front tire on the 85 and newer bikes is smaller diameter
LOL, with a ton of money, a custom bike builder could perhaps build or fabricate a couple of tubeless rims to fit. I feel the same way about changing tubes on the side of the road. Lucky for me it has only happened three times in 40 years of riding. I better knock on wood not to jinx myself. St.
Re: Tubeless tires?
I've had pretty good luck on tires. They have gotten exponentially better. But just being prepared to change a tube road side, between tools, tire spoons, tubes, pieces of wood to raise the wheels enough due to Reynolds ride off center stand adds so many pounds Plus I a carry a 4gal fuel cell back there.
Thanks
- srankin
- Posts: 1085
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
- Location: Spencerport, NY USA
- Been thanked: 21 times
Re: Tubeless tires?
Re: Tubeless tires?
I may just have to try this crazy idea
OC
PS, the Summer Solstice run went fine. 1023.3 miles in just shy of 17hrs. Bike ran flawlessly in some pretty warm afternoon weather(for Maine).
- srankin
- Posts: 1085
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
- Location: Spencerport, NY USA
- Been thanked: 21 times
Re: Tubeless tires?
The fellow I bought my R100RS from had angered his girlfriend and she in turn drove into the side of the bike while it was on the center stand. The bike went over and fell on the left side breaking the fairing. He then got drunk later and knocked the bike over onto the right side. It was a shame because the bike was in very good shape other than the damaged fairing when I bought it from him. Luckily the gas tank was not damaged in either tip. St.
Re: Tubeless tires?
Re: Tubeless tires?
- Tie the center stand to the exhaust crossover
- Remove the front wheel
- Tilt the bike forward onto the front forks
- Remove the rear wheel
- Reverse the process to install
I've done this on the side of the road to repair a flat. Not much fun, but doable.
Mike
69 R60/2 76 R90S 78 R100RS
70 Triumph w/Spirit Eagle Sidecar
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9058
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
- Location: San Antonio, TX
- Has thanked: 3 times
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Re: Tubeless tires?
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- srankin
- Posts: 1085
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:45 pm
- Location: Spencerport, NY USA
- Been thanked: 21 times
Re: Tubeless tires?
The worst tire repair I did was when I stopped and helped a fellow and his wife on the side of a interstate. Lucky for us not a insanely busy interstate. I stopped at 6 PM, we got the bike back together at 2AM. Mind you, most of the time involved was his riding into a nearby dealer to purchase a new rear tire on his wife's bike while I sat by the roadside. However, the Gold wing rear tire took just about an hour to get off the back of the bike and an hour to put back on.
I have in the past said bad words in regard to BMW engineering and design but I have seen and worked with far worse and am in the whole tankful for BMW's designs, nobody is perfect. St.