It's time for new tires for the '48. What size inner tube and any recommendations for brand? I see some anywhere from $10 to $50 so not sure if more is better.

Also, I assume it would be good to change the rim strips out also. Any recommendations for those?

I would like to do this my self if I can so I will also need some tire irons.

 

I'd buy them from Harley, the tubes I've got there have been high quality made in Japan Dunlops and have been trouble free. I don't trust the off brands and since a sudden tube failure could get you killed I don't mind paying more for the HD tubes.
If you want to get into DIY tire changing a few items make it much easier...some sort of fixture to hold the wheel at waist level, real tire lube (like Ruglyde, Napa carries it), and on tube wheels some heavy duty zip ties. The tube is inflated just enough to round it out and the zip ties squeeze the tire beads together so bothe are mounted at once. After the the zip ties are removed (and you don't need to cut them, the lock tab can be lifted), it is nearly impossible to pinch the tube this way.

 

Size for tubes is specific to the tire size/rim you use. I use Drag Specialties HD tubes in pretty much all tires I mount. They're economical (~$13/ea) and they actually hold pressure over a longer time than some of the other cheap tubes. Used an STI heavy duty tube once as well that I liked. Don't forget rim strips.

As far as mounting goes, how challenging it is depends highly on the tire. Soft tires like Shinkos, night dragons, etc. like to pop on really easily and the machine does almost no work. Stiff touring tires like Commander 2's or ME888 can be a real bear to get on. I personally wouldn't even bother with those without some sort of machine, manual or electric, as it's not worth the effort for how cheap you can get tires mounted.

 

for tools you need a

valve core remover
rim guards
at least 3 tire irons
a bead buddy
bead breaker like a 2x4
baby powder for the tubes.
lube or windex when you install the tire.

The last thing you need is a pinch flat when installing them.

good luck.

 

I ordered my inner tubes from Dennis Kirk with my tires. Inner tubes are based off of the size of the tire. Metzeler recommends only running Metzeler or Pirelli inner tubes so that’s what I went off of. Metzeler runs around $25 a tube and had good reviews. The same inner tube can usually be used with multiple tire and wheel sizes, so finding my rear one took a while since it was classified on Dennis Kirk as a 15” inner tube.
For my MH90-21 front tire I ordered: https://www.denniskirk.com/metzeler/...prd/535548.sku

For my 150/80-16 rear tire I ordered: https://www.denniskirk.com/metzeler/...prd/535535.sku
In addition to getting the right tube size, you will need to make sure you get a center metal valve (CMV) or side metal valve (SMV). CMVs will be dead center in the wheel and come with a stem that is sticks straight outward or some will feature a 90 degree bend to make filling easier. SMVs are offset to one side slightly. Make sure you look at your wheels to determine if you have SMVs or CMVs.
You can type your VIN in to Harley’s website and pull up your Parts Catalog to find what tubes came with your bike originally if you just want to stick with OEM.

 

FWIW, the guys over on the ural forum like Michelin tubes for the toughness. I also read there that for, say a 19" wheel, they'd use a 20" tube. That configuration apparently prevents the tube from hugging the spokes too tightly. I think the logic is that when inflated, the tube would tend to inflate away from the spokes, and into the tire itself. Just sayin'...

 

I buy the Drag Specialties tubes for like $14 and swap them myself. I don't be change rim strips unless I need to. I don't like spending money on **** I don't be need to. I also run tires down to cords but that's just me. 12K+ a year, my main transport. Spend it how you want to.

 

Thanks for all the replies and tips.

I was going to spoon on the Coker Firestone Deluxe Champions in 500-16. I've heard they are softer tires so hopefully not too hard.

Does the bead seat the same on a tube tire as a tubeless?


was also planning on using Ride-On for balancing.

 

Tube type rims generally do not have a safety bead like tubless ones so it is much easier to break the bead and to seat it. BTW if you can leave the tires in the sun long enough to get hot before mounting that helps a lot...

 

All the newer (anything the last 20-30 years) HD laced rims have a modest saftey bead on them. If you could seal the nipples you could run tubeless. It's not until you get back to the 70's that they didn't have a safety bead.