RD400 Tubeless Tires??

[95bravo]

Can I run the BT45s without tubes on a stock 1976 RD400 wheel?  They are tubeless tires, but will they work on stock RD wheels without tubes?  If "yes" then why use tubes - any added benefit? 

I apologize for the simplicity of this question.  I promise I searched the old posts.  I looked at old posts and saw Chuck's recent post with a link to Amazon for tubes to run on the RDs.  I am confused because HVC and Economy Cycle sell tires without tubes, etc.

Thanks in advance.

[85RZwade]

I think it's going to come down to the wheels themselves, such as: can you install a valve stem successfully? I've never heard of a performance advantage to inner tubes. Just a necessary evil where dictated by wheel design.
Wade

[2 Stroke Jamoke]

You are not supposed to run tubeless unless the rim says "suitable for tubeless tires" on it. That being said I run tubless on my rd400. I have a suitable rim on the front (xs400) but the rear is stock and I run it tubeless. No problems to speak of through 2500 miles and 2 tires. You can source the valve stem easily, look for scooter valve stems.

[1976RD400C]

Where the bead seats to the rim is different between tube type and tubeless rims. Why not just put a tube in the BT45's?

[95bravo]

Thanks, everyone.