Tire fitment on Lester equipped R90/6

[selyab]

I have a 76 r90/6 with Lester wheels on it. It came with Bridgestone Spitfire tires on it. The front tire was a 100/90-19. The tire was so large that there was almost zero clearance at the the fender/forks area. I replaced the tire with Michelin Pilot Activs in a 3.25/19 and 4.00/18 which is the OEM sizes but in hindsight, probably the size for spoked rims. Ever since the tire change, the rear tire has been fine but the front tire won't hold pressure. Bubble checking it shows leaks all around the sidewall/bead area. I am trying to decide whether it needs a slightly larger/wider tire or whether I need to remove the tire and polish the wheels in the bead area.

[8ninety8]

Tubes a possible solution?

[lmo1131]

Tubes a possible solution?

Lester wheels were developed in a pre-tubeless era (pre-1985); aside from some other mechanical "issues" they do not have the safety bead for tubeless tires.

TUBES ARE RECOMMENDED.

If you haven't read these, you should:

> http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/lesterwhls.htm

> http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/section6.htm

[MTHelmet]

Lester wheels were developed in a pre-tubeless era (pre-1985); aside from some other mechanical "issues" they do not have the safety bead for tubeless tires.

TUBES ARE RECOMMENDED.

If you haven't read these, you should:

> http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/lesterwhls.htm

> http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/section6.htm

Big 10-4, on the pre-tubeless era. I had a 74 R90/6, it had over 150,000 mile on it with no problem with tube tires.

Good luck with you new tires & tubes.