Tubes for Trail Wings

I have just recently bought Trail Wing tires by Bridgestone for my 83 xj650.

Bridgestone Trail Wing TW39 Front Tire - 90/100-19
SKU: 300573 Manufacture Part number: 142689

and

Bridgestone Trail Wing TW40 Rear Tire - 120/90-16
SKU: 300577 Manufacture Part number: 142697

The tube I plan on ordering for the rear tire is the Vee Rubber 120-130/90-16 Butyle Tube Tr4 for $20

I can not figure out what tube to buy for the front tire. All the conversion charts I have seen do not list this size and there is no indication on the 2wheel web site beyond "buy tubes the same size as your tire"

Also I was wondering if I would need to buy the IRC rim strips as well or if its not necessary with my wheels.

Any input or suggestions would be welcome.

 

I'd think that you'd want to run a tube that is slightly larger to prevent stretching.

I don't think you'd need rim strips on a tubeles weel as there are no spoke nipples for the tube to run on.

I do think that you'd be better off running a tubeless tire.

 

I wanted to go with an enduro type tire on my bike and these seemed to be the best option

 

You want a tube the same size as the tire or slightly smaller. Tubes are made to stretch. When using a larger tube, you stand the risk of the rubber folding over in side the tire. Which causes a crease that eventually will leak.
I've worked in a couple of tire shops and it gets me that people think you need a "professional" to change tires. It's the lowest life form in the shop that does that work.

 

good one, tell it like it is

 

Maybe in the shops you go to, all ours are well trained, not worth taking the risk of stuffing up the job and paying for the damage and losing a client

 

but it is likely that the new guy in the shop has to prove his mettle by starting with tires and oil changes before he does a full engine rebuild.

 

In the U.S. most shops really do let the newest, youngest employee take care of changing and balancing tires. Usually they are supervised and trained, but not always. I used to have new tires put on at the local dealer becuse the kid they had doing it was really good at it. This year he went off to college. The new kid is less than stellar.

 

I have about 1000 rim strips available.......I BELIEVE they are 19",but I'll have to double-check

Dave

 

So do you think its necessary for me to use rim strips with my tube type tyres?

 

If the inside of the rim is already smooth, I don't know why you would---- the rim liners are supposed to cover the sharp ends of the spokes and the spokes' threaded caps that connect through the rim

 

I'm sure he does, but when we're fitting tyres anywhere from $80 - $800 on rims worth the same you're going to make damn sure he doesn't wreck either the tyre or the rim, but then that's all we do, I generally don't bother with motorcycle stuff unless it's my own or maybe the odd friend or two

Only if it's on wire spoked wheels

 

So got the tires on the rims with tubes. no rim strips is what the shop said. So I hope they are right... Putting the wheels back on tomorrow then I'm going to crank her for the first time in years

 

You'll be fine. Fwiw, I've run many tubed tyres on tubeless rims - they're designed for that eventuality.
What I haven't tried is running a tube-type tyre on a tubeless rim without a tube, but others have done it, and the sky didn't fall in.
Might give that a go, because I keep seeing some tyre bargains I pass up because they're Tube Type, and I cba with tubes any more.

 

The only issue that I have with running a tubed tire (regardless of rim) is the need to break the bead to patch a tube.
Tubeless tire + sticky string FTW!

 

Well... update. I put the wheels back on the bike along with new brake shoes in the back and pads in the front. Drained and flushed the old and kinda "jelly like?" brake fluid plus I cleaned out some of the old grease and put some fresh stuff in both front and rear. Now the new problem lol. Key in press start and I get the red oil light. Bike is in neutral but the green neutral light is not on. So I depressed the clutch, put up the kick stand and crossed the solenoid. It kicks over with gusto but no spark.. Could this be the lock out? I thought that by crossing the solenoid I was essentially bypassing it. Horn works, blinkers work, brake light works, tail light works, head lamp does not come on but if I remember right that never did come on until the bike was started.