Tube or Tubeless on a 1950 f1

[fortyonerag]

Originally Posted by Mart

The problem running tubes in tubeless radial tyres is that the inside of the tyre is not smooth like an old fashioned tube type tyre. Combine this non smooth (often ribbed) surface with the increased flexibility of the sidewall on a radial and you get chafing of the tube. The tube will be ok for a while but will normally fail prematurely. You can get tubes designed for radials, but I do not know what they do to make them work. I am also wary of any modern tube - it's hard to know where they are made and what the quality is like.

Om my 58 GMC the previous owner had fitted radials (205-16s) all round but the rears were fitted tubeless and the fronts had tubes in. I had problems with both front wheels going flat. Ther tubes were failing. I took the tubes out, fitted tubeless valves and they have been ok since. I did nothing to the tyres.

You can get "fat" valves that fit the larger holes on the earlier rims.

This is without safety beads on the rim which (as explained above) came much later than the intro on tubeless tyres.

Disclaimer I spell tyres with a y because I'm English. Don't be offended by that.

Mart.

Many thanks (wouldn't put you in gaol for your spelling of tyre )

[Mart]

^^ I can see what you did there...