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Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

  1. #1
    Member DeskJockey's Avatar
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    Angry Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    So... tube sizing for tires. It doesn't make sense. It's bonkers. It's BS and you know it. Here's why:



    #1) Slash sizing. Why is a tube sized as "4.50/4.75". It can't be both 4.50 inches and 4.75 inches in diameter. Pick one. Unless we're abusing quantum physics for our tire tech now.

    #2) The stupid size chart. Every website in existence has the same chart (e.g. https://www.motorcycleproducts.co.uk/tyreguide.php). The chart matches metric tire size (e.g. 120/80) with inch tube sizes (e.g. 4.25/4.50). The manufacturer of a tube I ordered had the gall to print it on the packaging. And you know what? This chart is grade A garbage. How do a 110/90 and a 120/90 use the same size tube? They're clearly different size tires.

    #2 part b, because the chart is that bad) The stupid size chart, again. How does a 110/90 use a 4.50/4.75 tube? 110 millimeters is 4.33 inches. Why are we cramming 4.50 inches into what is, at absolute most, a 4.33 inch hole?

    #2 part c, because this chart is seriously trash) why are there only like, 10 sizes on this chart? The size I want isn't here. Time to step it up, internet.

    3) It's BS because I can't understand it. Anything I can't understand is evil and wrong. There are no exceptions.



    Yeah, I haven't posted here in like a year, and I'm at best a terrible mechanic, but so what? I can do dank 2 inch wheelies sometimes (mostly by accident) so I'm basically the best. And my opinion counts more than yours.

    So now here I am, trying to get tires onto some supermoto wheels on a WR250R, and here comes this BS, voodoo, black magic nonsense to make it IMPOSSIBLE to find tubes that fit. I'm gonna find the inventor of tube sizing and challenge them to a duel. If they're dead, then I'll settle for just yelling at their kids (grand kids? great grand kids?) about how terrible their ancestor was.

    (I'm just playing, NESR.)

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    LRRS AM #860

  2. #2
    Lifer Kurlon's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    So, in short, yer wrong!

    First, as to the multiple sizes listed, if you didn't know rubber stretches, at least for most people. A tube is sized so at a minimum when inflated in the target tire it can expand enough that it's not folded/creased anywhere. From that point it can safely expand further, up to a limit and still do the job, hence the size range.

    As to the difference in sizing methods, tubes are sized strictly on a simple circular cross section. Modern tires use metric sizing based on tread width and sidewall height. The tread width is NOT the diameter of the cavity the tube has to fill, which is why you can't go by it alone. Use the chart, it's not rocket science, and you don't have to be perfectly exact with your tube sizing anyways. You want real evil? Stretch 16" rim strips onto 17" rims.

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  3. #3
    Resident Turkey Tricky Mike's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    Quote Originally Posted by DeskJockey View Post

    3) It's BS because I can't understand it. Anything I can't understand is evil and wrong. There are no exceptions.
    I have little to offer (in general, really) but also specifically beyond the tube explanation provided.
    In the interest of shitshow thread potential, please do share any other motorcycle related witchcraft that you'd like to debunk. I'm currently stuck in a Toyota dealership for the next 3 hours.

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  4. #4
    Where is my fast? GixerJockey's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    Bravo...

    This is spectacular post quality right here.












    And Tricky Mike is sexy as fuck

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  5. #5
    Member DeskJockey's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    Quote Originally Posted by Kurlon View Post
    So, in short, yer wrong!
    ^This has literally never happened, and it's not going to start today. Also, you're clearly a tube-apologist, which is unacceptable. However... your response was very helpful, so thank you.


    There isn't much other motorcycle related witchcraft to debunk. I completely understand nearly everything, including oil (which this forum clearly still has questions on). I'll be sure to alert you if I come across any other evil magic in our sport.

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    LRRS AM #860

  6. #6
    Is this thing on? Mr. Kurtz's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.


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  7. #7
    Lifer
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    I can't hear you over the sound of you sliding through T10.
    You ridden across country on a wee yet? That's what we want to hear about..
    Tell your dad I bought a Road King.

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  8. #8
    Member DeskJockey's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    I haven't crashed since that T10 lowside. I definitely need to try harder...

    I did go cross country on a Wee! It was the absolute best, and I'll have to post the interesting bits at some point. The best part is, my dad and his Road King made it across the country with me. That bike is great, and super comfy. The only downside is we're STILL pulling bug guts out of the chrome.

    ...now you have me talking about happy stuff, and I can't be fake mad anymore. I bet this was your plan all along.

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    LRRS AM #860

  9. #9
    First name on the shit list.... SVRACER01's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    Quote Originally Posted by Kurlon View Post
    You want real evil? Stretch 16" rim strips onto 17" rims.
    harleys have 17" spoked wheels, therefore there are 17" rim strips available

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  10. #10
    Lifer Kurlon's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    Quote Originally Posted by SVRACER01 View Post
    harleys have 17" spoked wheels, therefore there are 17" rim strips available
    I'm not claiming 17" rim strips don't exist, but I've only so far found the nice wide ones for 16" rims. If you've got wide (3" +) 17" ones on hand I'll restock my tube bin through you next!

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  11. #11
    First name on the shit list.... SVRACER01's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    pretty sure i have such a rim strip in my bike now

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    When I start my KTM in the morning, rules are broken. Its inevitable...
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    TRACKS:Firebird/NHMS/VIR/Calabogie/California Speedway/NJMP/MMC/NYST/Palmer/Thompson/Club Motorsports

  12. #12
    First name on the shit list.... SVRACER01's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    Looks like Drag has 17" x 4.5" rim strips for $3.

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    When I start my KTM in the morning, rules are broken. Its inevitable...
    01 SV650S (RC51 eater)/07 690SM /03 300EXC/14 XTZ1200
    TRACKS:Firebird/NHMS/VIR/Calabogie/California Speedway/NJMP/MMC/NYST/Palmer/Thompson/Club Motorsports

  13. #13
    Lifer Kurlon's Avatar
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    Re: Tube sizing is bonkers Bull$**t. Fight me if you disagree.

    I think you might have found rim strips that are TOO wide for my use. Nice!

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