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[Supershooter]

Went to the dealer to price tires for my 03 Wide Glide with spoke rims, the service manager gave me an estimate including rim straps and new inter tubes. Is it really necessary to replace the rim straps and tubes when replacing tires?
Supershooter

[KGB]

Went to the dealer to price tires for my 03 Wide Glide with spoke rims, the service manager gave me an estimate including rim straps and new inter tubes. Is it really necessary to replace the rim straps and tubes when replacing tires?
Supershooter

I would always replace them because there is a chance of the rubber deteriorating over time depending how old they are, also cheap insurance when replacing the tire.

[Road Dad]

No it is not necessary at all.

[mjb765]

I would always replace even if technically it is not needed. The next chance would be at the next tire change which means asking the tube to last the life of 2 tires--or doing the job again in between tire changes. As mentioned before--cheap insurance.

[wtfdskin]

I would definately. Not that expensive while youre in there. Cheap piece of mind.

When i had my softail. They found rust under the rim strap. When cleaning it up it came through. Moisture gets in the spoke holes.

[JCZ]

What's your life worth?

[grc]

Yes, replace the tube.  People may believe they last forever and the only thing that could cause a problem is a puncture, but those people are wrong.  The material loses strength and flexibility over time, like all rubber products, and it is also affected by friction between the tire and tube as well as the tube and rim.  There is constant movement from compression and expansion any time the tire is rolling.  I'm assuming the current tire and tube have been on the rim for a significant amount of time btw.

Jerry

[Twolanerider]

In the latter 70s I started working in a gas station at 11 years old.  First jobs were gas island, lube rack and tire machine.  I was a runt and the tire machine kicked my ass repeatedly.  While tubeless tires were predominant by then there were still a lot of tubed tires being run.  Can easily remember many tubes that hadn't be replaced with a previous tire change (or several) and how powdery thin they would get and how easily the stems could split off. 

If the tube blows on a car you say a bad word or three and roll to the side of the road.  If it blows on a bike you roll to the side of the road if you're lucky.  As often it's a more interesting ride that too often combines with rash and broken (people and bike) bits.

The tube may look and feel and (for the moment) be just fine.  Change it all anyway. 

[CVODON]

Not sure why anyone would question this. I, like Twolane, was changing tires at the local Chev dealer, but in the late 60's. Tubes would be paper thin from wear and would always be replaced. People do not think a tube wears, but everytime you hit a bump and the tire flexes the tube moves inside the very abrasive inside of the tire. This constant friction just literally wear the already thin tube out.

[Supershooter]

Growing up in a conservative and poor farming family we used everything we could until it was unsafe or wore out. So I've seen many tubes get reused over the years. That being said, I was letting my past get I the way of my safety. I plan on replacing the intertubes and anything else that'll reduce tire issues. Thanks for shining the light in my eyes, it's what I needed.
Supershooter

[smkymtnboy]

In the latter 70s I started working in a gas station at 11 years old.  First jobs were gas island, lube rack and tire machine.  I was a runt and the tire machine kicked my ass repeatedly.  While tubeless tires were predominant by then there were still a lot of tubed tires being run.  Can easily remember many tubes that hadn't be replaced with a previous tire change (or several) and how powdery thin they would get and how easily the stems could split off. 

If the tube blows on a car you say a bad word or three and roll to the side of the road.  If it blows on a bike you roll to the side of the road if you're lucky.  As often it's a more interesting ride that too often combines with rash and broken (people and bike) bits.

The tube may look and feel and (for the moment) be just fine.  Change it all anyway.

this was before you became a WRENCH, correct.