Tires on Mag Wheels

[zeroxs650]

I am looking to put tires on my 1977 XS and will be using Mag wheels from a 1981 Special. Could those who have mags please post pics and size of your tires and manufacturer brand? I am trying to decide on the size as well as tread pattern.
Thanks in advance.......

 

[CoconutPete]

Front: Kenda K761 100/90-19

Rear: Duro HF904 130/90-16

 

[jetmechmarty]

Bridgestone S11 Spitfire 100/90-19 front 130/90-16 rear. These run very close to true to size. Good tires! On my 650 now.

Pirelli MT66 Route 100/90-19 front 130/90-16 rear. I ride these on another bike. They run slightly small and turn in quick. I buy these over and over again. They are a great value. A quality tire at a great price. They stick real well.

Rockin' the Pirelli MT66!

Dunlop GT501 100/90-19 front 130/90-16 rear I have rocked these things on my 650 Special and my Eleven Special. The run a little small and turn in fast. They're good on wet pavement and really shine on grooved pavement. Confidence inspiring. A bit pricey and wore quickly for me.

I'd run any of the three again.

Photo 1 is running Dunlop GT501. Photo 2 is Metzeler ME880. Both front tires are 100/90-19. Notice that the Metzeler is bigger. It measured about 105 mm wide where the Dunlop is just over 90 mm. The Spitfire is 100 mm. Smaller turns in faster.

 

[zeroxs650]

I understand the mags are tubeless, do those with mags install tubes?

 

[CoconutPete]

Mags on my 79 are not tubeless.

Check them up close. They'll say on them if they are tubeless. I have tubes in mine. They have a very odd sentence on them .. something about "malleable metal" but nothing about being tubeless.

 

[5twins]

It will be stamped in one of the spokes. Your '81 wheels should be tubeless types. Just the early ones weren't, '78 for sure, maybe '79 as well.

If the last guy was running tubes, you'll need to get the bolt-in tubeless valve stems.

 

[retiredgentleman]

It seems the changeover from tube to tubeless occurred somewhere in the 1978/1979 production run. My 78 SE has tubeless on the back and tube type on the front. You have to go by the "suitable for tubeless tire" stamped on the cast wheel.