Tubed vs. tubeless tires...

[DucHead]

Can one safely run tires made for wheels requiring innertubes on tubeless rims?

[Speeddog]

AFAIK, tube-type tires do not have an inside layer of airtight rubber, and thus will be slow-leakers.

That may be ancient history, though..... YMMV.

[DucHead]

AFAIK, tube-type tires do not have an inside layer of airtight rubber, and thus will be slow-leakers.

That may be ancient history, though..... YMMV.

Thanks Nick. 

The tires in question were on a SC Sport 1000, if that makes any difference.  They came with aluminum wheels attached, and I'd like to use the tires if possible.   

Wheels are for a project bike.   

[Speeddog]

These guys seem to be willing to discuss tube fitment:

http://www.tiresunlimited.com/tube_information.htm

[Buckethead]

The Sport Classics didn't need tubes because of the tires, they needed them because of the rim. Because of the way the spokes thread into the center channel, the outer rim is not airtight. People have used rubber strips and RTV silicone to seal them up.

As far as I know (that is, you should check with a Duc dealer before you do anything that could injure yourself/other/your bike/me) all of the tires fitted to the Sport Classics from the factory were new-tire technology with a retro tread pattern.

[DucHead]

The Sport Classics didn't need tubes because of the tires, they needed them because of the rim. Because of the way the spokes thread into the center channel, the outer rim is not airtight. People have used rubber strips and RTV silicone to seal them up.

As far as I know (that is, you should check with a Duc dealer before you do anything that could injure yourself/other/your bike/me) all of the tires fitted to the Sport Classics from the factory were new-tire technology with a retro tread pattern.

Thanks, I know they leak thru the spokes, but the question is can the tires be run on a tubeless wheel?

[Buckethead]

The Sport Classics didn't need tubes because of the tires, they needed them because of the rim. Because of the way the spokes thread into the center channel, the outer rim is not airtight. People have used rubber strips and RTV silicone to seal them up.

As far as I know (that is, you should check with a Duc dealer before you do anything that could injure yourself/other/your bike/me) all of the tires fitted to the Sport Classics from the factory were new-tire technology with a retro tread pattern.

As I understand it, the Pirelli Phantom was based on the Diablo tire carcass (0* Belted Radial and all that) and can be run tubeless. 

[DucHead]

Thanks.  Maybe I'll sell them to a SC owner then.

[DRKWNG]

Thanks, I know they leak thru the spokes, but the question is can the tires be run on a tubeless wheel?

Both the Pirelli and Michelin tires that came on the SC series bikes can be used on tubeless wheels without issue.

[DucHead]

Both the Pirelli and Michelin tires that came on the SC series bikes can be used on tubeless wheels without issue.

Oh, OK cool!

[Dietrich]

If you read the sidewall of the Michelin Classic tires I'm pretty sure they say "tubeless" on there somewhere, even though they used tubes on the stock Sport Classic spoked wheels.

[DucHead]

If you read the sidewall of the Michelin Classic tires I'm pretty sure they say "tubeless" on there somewhere, even though they used tubes on the stock Sport Classic spoked wheels.

Thanks guys!

I stopped by my dealer today, and he said that the SCs used tubeless tires.

[mendoje]

FWIW, many years ago I converted the cast aluminum "snowflake" rims on my '81 BMW R100RS from tube to tubeless.  After a string of 3 flats (which deflated instantly) in 3 weeks, I had had enough.

All I did was drill out the stem holes to the correct diameter, cleaned the inside surfaces, sealed it with 3 coats of epoxy based paint, and bolted on the valve stems.  Mounted the tires, and never had any sealing issues.