Inner Tube ok in Front Tyre?

[nickc]

My front wheel rim on my '88 R100GS appears to be a bit corroded as it is leaking air. When I suggested to my tyre guy I wanted to put an inner tube in the tyre instead of buying a new rim he said in his view it was extremely dangerous and whilst he would put the tube in he wouldn't charge me.

This was enough to put me off at the time but having thought about it I am not sure why he would be so concerned as inner tubes were used in tyres for years (and it is not as if my GS travels at hugely high speeds).

I would be interested in other peoples views?

Many thanks

 

[Micky]

My front wheel rim on my '88 R100GS appears to be a bit corroded as it is leaking air. When I suggested to my tyre guy I wanted to put an inner tube in the tyre instead of buying a new rim he said in his view it was extremely dangerous and whilst he would put the tube in he wouldn't charge me.

This was enough to put me off at the time but having thought about it I am not sure why he would be so concerned as inner tubes were used in tyres for years (and it is not as if my GS travels at hugely high speeds).

I would be interested in other peoples views?

Many thanks

Welcome to the land of UKGSer

Can't see a problem myself, but how corroded is your rim?

 

[Smug]

You should never fit a tube to a tubeless tyre especially on the front. The casing of a tubeless tyre will chafe the tube.

 

[JJH]

My new f800 adv came with tubeless tyers and of course tubes. JJH

 

[JJH]

Check the valve. That is a comon area around whare it seats for leaks. Fit a tube no problem. JJH

 

[Micky]

You should never fit a tube to a tubeless tyre especially on the front. The casing of a tubeless tyre will chafe the tube.

Cobblers

My new f800 adv came with tubeless tyers and of course tubes. JJH

Been running tubes in my F800GS FOR 110,000 miles

 

[snelly]

My rim is a bit rusty, but I think that's Vinodiloo and not corrosion.

 

[Smug]

Have you thought about using Ultraseal?

 

[Timolgra]

Use a HD tube, it'll be fine.

 

[Edward]

When a tube is fitted in a tubeless tyre the speed rating of the tyre is reduced one level.

 

[AberdeenAngus]

When a tube is fitted in a tubeless tyre the speed rating of the tyre is reduced one level.

Doubt that's a problem with a R100GS

 

[JJH]

Right I'm giving it to you as it says on the sidewall of my tourence " tubeless for tube type use tube" JJH.

 

[daveg]

Have you thought about using Ultraseal?

I expect that would work.....

But, I've just had to put a tube in the tubeless rear on my 96 Roadking because the Ultraseal that I've had in there for years as a precaution had corroded the wheel so badly I couldn't get a seal after fitting a new tyre recently

 

[Richard A]

Not trying to be clever, but alloy sands down fairly easily by hand. Often it's just a case of taking away any corroded 'sharps', the rubber sealing surface can normally accommodate mild surface imperfections as long as they are relatively smooth.

One prob with tubes in tubeless is that they don't have an airtight seal through the tyre valve hole (though I daresay something could be engineered), so there's no tubeless style benefit in the case of puncture, i.e. slowish deflation.

 

[daveg]

Not trying to be clever, but alloy sands down fairly easily by hand. Often it's just a case of taking away any corroded 'sharps', the rubber sealing surface can normally accommodate mild surface imperfections as long as they are relatively smooth.

One prob with tubes in tubeless is that they don't have an airtight seal through the tyre valve hole (though I daresay something could be engineered), so there's no tubeless style benefit in the case of puncture, i.e. slowish deflation.

Mine was corroded badly especially around the valve hole which is where it was leaking from and we tried to clean it up. Tube - sorted

 

[nickc]

Thanks for all your advice - the reason I believe it is the rim that leaks is that when I pump it up and washing liquid is applied you can see bubbles coming out around the tyre/ rim interface. My tyre guy has tried rubbing the rim down and sealing this junction with a black mastic/ seal but it didn't work. The reason I am reluctant to try the 'in tyre' sealant spray/gunk is that I have been led to believe it renders the tyre unrepairable.

I have to say when I toured S America 9yrs ago on the same bike I didn't think twice about carrying an inner tube for both font and back for emergencies and there was always many a debate as to the merits of running tubes v tubeless.

 

[Beemerboff]

My GS rims have never held air, and have had tubes in them for 150,000 km without any problems or punctures. I use heavy duty tubes and they muct conduct a bit of heat round to the rim as they actually run a bit cooler with the tube than without.
I run 29 32F/R and change tires at 80% worn------------, mostly Avon Distanzas

 

[ChasF]

I've been running a tube in my front tyre (Tourance) since I fitted it until about 700 miles ago simply because when I fitted them I only had one new tubeless valve to hand. I didn't want to carry a spare tube, levers etc. so I took the tube out a few weeks ago. Unfortunately the tyre looses pressure slowly, about 0.1 bar over 24 hours. I've just run some soapy water around the rim and located two tiny leaks quite close together on the right hand side. I'm going to try cleaning the rim but if that doesn't work can I use ultraseal? Will it seal these tiny leaks?

 

[Deleted account 181015003]

You should never fit a tube to a tubeless tyre especially on the front. The casing of a tubeless tyre will chafe the tube.

I hope you have emailed BMW with this important information they keep building F800GS bikes with tubes in tubeless tyres and have been doing so for years

But it could be fine and tubes can be put in tubeless tyres

 

[Garry H]

I have done well over 100k on Airheads
I have used tubes and run tubless probably 50/50
I have never had a problem with a tube in a tubeless tyre and i never used heavy duty tubes cuz i don't like the extra sprung weight
Given the preference thought i would run tubeless cuz a puncture is a lot less of a issue and can be repaired in a minute with a rats tail + a blow out is a lot less likely
i would put a sealer in the tyre and it should seal the rim..Then run tubeless
But what do i know