is cast wheel on 900 custom interchangeable with classic 900?

[davidcruiser]

Does anyone here know if the rear cast wheel on the 900 Custom interchangeable with 900 Classic without any modification? I like spoke wheel style but also more favor the cast wheel since it goes with tubeless tire, less dangerous on flat tire, easy to wash and maintain, etc. But the front wheel cast of the Custom does not impress me. I feel more confident with my current Classic front. Not sure any after market wheel has cast style for the front classic.

[AZ rider]

Your tires are tubeless.

[pat0021]

I think I read the back tires are the same, but the customs front tire is different.

You can get custom rims now for the 900 but I hope you have a lot of money to spend!! I wish I could get some. I don't like spoked wheels.

[AZ rider]

This comes from the service manual

Frame
Type Tubular, double cradle
Caster (Rake Angel) 32°
Trail 160 mm (6.30 in.)
Front Tire:
Type Tubeless
Size 130/90-16M/C 67H
Rim Size 16M/C × MT3.00
Rear Tire:
Type Tubeless
Size 180/70-15M/C 76H
Rim Size 15M/C × MT4.50

[davidcruiser]

Originally Posted by AZ rider

This comes from the service manual

AZ rider, I'm not sure about the manual you quoted from but I'm quite certain that my Classic is tube type. I got a flat on my rear not long ago and it has the new tube installed by the shop. The Custom is tubeless since it has cast wheels.

[VulcanRev]

Just because the tire type is tubeless doesn't mean you cannot run tubes in them. Most of the tires I look at now for the 900 will accomodate both ways. I know that in mine, both are tubed.

[REFUGIO]

My tires have tubes in them. Been there since day one I owned it.
Even saw them take out the tube and reuse when I had the rear tire replaced.

[RichLockyer]

Yup... any spoked rim except for perhaps very expensive aftermarket/custom, or a self-modified rim is going to require a tube.

[bluestringer]

Spoked wheels require tubes because the air will leak out where the spokes are in the wheel. They have an rubber inner band around the inside with the tube. You can run tubeless tires with tubes, doesn't hurt a thing, in fact most tires now are tubeless. Cast wheels have tubeless tires with no tubes. You can have spoked wheels sealed to run tubeless tires and no tubes, but it must be done correctly or could cause problems and constant leaks.

[slicktech]

AZ Rider is correct. The point is that the tires are tubeless. They do not require tubes (the tires, forget about the rims for a second). It can't be much more clear. You can put the OEM tires on a non-spoked rim and run them without tubes. On the stock spoked rims you need a tube, nobody is disputing this. That does not mean that that the tires require tubes in all situations. AZ Rider's quote is from the 900 service manual and is accurate. It is a description of the tires themselves, not this application of the tires.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by slicktech

AZ Rider's quote is from the 900 service manual and is accurate. It is a description of the tires themselves, not this application of the tires.

Correct, but that's missing the point:

Originally Posted by davidcruiser

I like spoke wheel style but also more favor the cast wheel since it goes with tubeless tire, less dangerous on flat tire

The original poster wants to eliminate the tube.

[AZ rider]

Originally Posted by slicktech

AZ Rider is correct. The point is that the tires are tubeless. They do not require tubes (the tires, forget about the rims for a second). It can't be much more clear. You can put the OEM tires on a non-spoked rim and run them without tubes. On the stock spoked rims you need a tube, nobody is disputing this. That does not mean that that the tires require tubes in all situations. AZ Rider's quote is from the 900 service manual and is accurate. It is a description of the tires themselves, not this application of the tires.

Actually,if you look at your tires they will say "tube type" on them.
When the service manual states "tubeless" that means the bike has no tube. I still cant figure out what gives.

bluestringer Spoked wheels require tubes because the air will leak out where the spokes are in the wheel. They have an rubber inner band around the inside with the tube.

Not always. There are spoked wheels on the market that are tubeless. I thought maybe Kawi had used them on our bikes.
One thing,something doesnt jive.

[Easyrider32]

Yes the VN900 Classic uses Tubeless Tires with a Tube because of the spoked rims.

You may be able to mount the rear tire from the Classic onto the Custom, however the front tire is completely different on the custom.

[bluestringer]

[There are spoked wheels on the market that are tubeless. I thought maybe Kawi had used them on our bikes.
One thing,something doesnt jive.[/quote]


Yes, but they have been sealed. No spoke wheel can run without tubes unless it's been sealed, and they are not as reliable as a spoked wheel with tubes.

[Easyrider32]

I heard about a conversion to seal your rims allowing Tubeless tires. But what happens when you need to do some spoke adjustments? Does that break the seal?

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by Easyrider32

I heard about a conversion to seal your rims allowing Tubeless tires. But what happens when you need to do some spoke adjustments? Does that break the seal?

That's why it is really not recommended for bikes... you end up with a MESS if you don't do it right and screw up on just one spoke.

Tru-Spoke cage rims didn't require adjustments, and they just had the valley filled with RTV. The conversion for a bike does the same thing, and there are no provisions to allow for spoke adjustment. Once it's done, if you ever need to adjust your spokes, you will have to dig out ALL of the RTV and reseal the whole thing... IE: Do this only on a well broken in rim and spoke set, and bring all spokes up to proper torque prior to beginning

It's a major PITA. The RTV tries to follow gravity... as thick as it appears, it really wants to run downhill, and if the layer is not perfectly even it can really screw up your balance.

If you still want to try it:
http://www.gadgetjq.com/tww.htm

[AZ rider]

Is that how its done for the wheels you can buy aftermarket?
Im starting to think that originally they were going to use a cast wheel on the classic, and changed there minds at the last minute. It would explain a few things.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by AZ rider

Is that how its done for the wheels you can buy aftermarket?

Not sure... I wouldn't think so... if they did, there would have to be a strong warning not to torque the nipples.
They PROBABLY use a double-rim design with a strap welded around the inside covering the nipples, but I really don't know... you wouldn't be able to replace one if you cross threaded a spoke during a relace.

[SirNetwork]

r u interested in selling your spoke / i need a front spoke quickly.

[CycleDude]

SirNetwork, this thread is over a year old. If you need a rim, contact the host of this site, BearTooth Kawasaki. They have their own sub-forum here for parts inquiries, and their phone # is at the top of each page.