Lester Wheels and Tubeless Tyres

[grewth]

Just got a set of Lester wheels for a CB750K2.
I'm assuming that the profile of these rims is unsuitable for mounting tubeless tyres as they were probably made in the 1970's ?
I've just compared them with the front wheel of a Harley Sportster ( which is made for tubeless tyres ), and the only difference seems to be two little ridges either side of the rim centre well.
No doubt all the finger waggers will already be enraged by me even considering such a thing.
I'm just wondering that if I did fit tyres without tubes, would I definitely be killed, or would I just be sent to Hell by the powers that be ?

 

[hinksy]

Those two little ridges are what makes a tubeless rim . They locate the bead so it holds the rim better ( seals ) Use only tubeless tyres as they will be strengthened for holding the bead . If you do try it , check the rim for seal , spray bottle with soapy water or dunking the whole wheel , and use correct inflation pressure so the sidewall doesnt flex . As a tubeless loses air slower than a tubed tyres sudden total loss , you should have a bit of time before you meet your maker

 

[grewth]

Well that's what I thought.
Tubeless tyres are supposed to deflate slower after a puncture, and don't suffer "blow outs" like tubed tyres supposedly do.
I think that you'd have to be pretty dumb not to realise that you were running with a part deflated tyre until the point that the tyre left the rim and dropped into the "well" in the center.
I bought my Series Land Rover about 15 years ago, and noticed that two of the radial tyres had slow punctures.
I just kept blowing them up for a few months.
Then I realised that someone had fitted tubeless tyres onto tube type rims that were riveted to the centre disc and obviously didn't have those extra ridges.
In fact all five wheels were the same, but only two leaked air, presumably past the rivets.
I never had any real issues apart from the slow punctures, but that's on a semi agricultural vehicle with a top speed of 65mph

 

[slmjim n Z1BEBE]

Lester mags came available right on the cusp of tubeless tire development for bikes. Specs hadn't been finalized yet. Some Lesters were produced with tubeless compatibility, some weren't. We have one Kawasaki Z1 rear Lester mag on a bike that has the tubeless shoulder rim profile, but the rim doesn't exhibit the 'tubeless' designation cast into a spoke externally.

We sold two 18" Z1 Lesters at Mid-Ohio VMD this year that had "tubeless" and some digits cast into spokes.

All 18" Lester rear wheels intended for Z1's we've seen have solid bosses cast in to drill for rim locks, if desired, that were standard OEM on Z1' spoke rear rims . Later Lester 18" Z1 rear wheels have bead retention shoulders AND rim lock bosses. 16" Lester Z1 wheels don't have the rim lock bosses cast in, but they do have the tubeless bead retention shoulders. Strangely, every front Z1 Lester we've ever seen have the bead retention shoulders, regardless of age.

We've run tubless tires on Kawasaki Z1 rear Lester mags that don't have the tubeless bead retention shoulders. They seal fine providing the rim is clean & reasonably smooth with no pitting. If the tire suddenly looses pressure, one bead can come off the rim entirely, not unlike prying one side off preparing to remove the tire. Same thing can happen on a tubed tire.

Motorcycle rim profiles are something of a rabbit hole, differing with age and sometimes even manufacturer. Search on "Motorcycle rim profiles" & decide how deep you want to go.

Good Ridin'
slmji & Z1BEBE

 

[grewth]

Many thanks for that !
I've never actually had any Lester Wheels before.
The first thing I noticed is the unusual construction, with the centre sections apparently pressed in and then welded to the outer spoked section.
I'll probably be running with tubes TBH, depending on the legal situation in the UK.
I've learned that you can break all sorts of rules and regulations, and it never matters - until you have an accident.
I've now found that the front wheel needs a weld repair - just a very small chunk out of the rim.
Nothing structural and I'm sure it would run just fine on the tyre.
I just want it done for cosmetic reasons

 

[madmtnmotors]

I've got a Henry Abe snowflake wheel that is a solid wheel but the material is porus. With a tubeless tire mounted I noticed bubbling all around the surface of the rim when washing it. It gets a tube now.

 

[grewth]

I've got a Henry Abe snowflake wheel that is a solid wheel but the material is porus. With a tubeless tire mounted I noticed bubbling all around the surface of the rim when washing it. It gets a tube now.

Apparently Triumph had porosity issues with the crankcases of the Trident engine.
In the true tradition of British bodger,y, they fixed it by impregnating the offending castings with resin which sealed the porosity, rather than getting the casting process right.
As ever with tales of the old British industry, you never really know how much of this is actually true........
Maybe you could effect a similar solution with your Henry Abe wheels ?

 

[Old_Crow]

Apparently Triumph had porosity issues with the crankcases of the Trident engine.
In the true tradition of British bodger,y, they fixed it by impregnating the offending castings with resin which sealed the porosity, rather than getting the casting process right.
As ever with tales of the old British industry, you never really know how much of this is actually true........
Maybe you could effect a similar solution with your Henry Abe wheels ?

I've heard tell of a sealant that they use to seal automotive true spoked wheels so that they can be run tubeless.