Inner Tire Tubes for Vintage Honda Motorcycles
Natural rubber tire inner tubes sized for vintage Honda spoke wheels — CT90, CB100/125, CB175, CB200, CB350, CB360, CB450, CB500T, CB550, and CB750. Available in 17", 18", 19", and 21" diameters to cover every front and rear wheel across these models. Sold individually in Standard and Heavy Duty options.
Why You Need This
Every vintage Honda from this era uses spoke wheels, and spoke wheels require inner tubes. Tubes are rubber — they decay with age and use just like tires. When you swap in fresh tires, the inner tubes and rim strips should be replaced at the same time. An old tube inside a new tire is a flat waiting to happen.
We carry two types:
- Standard Tubes — thinner sidewall, lighter weight, suitable for street riding
- Heavy Duty Tubes — thicker sidewall for extra puncture resistance, recommended for off-road riding
All of our tubes are 100% natural rubber, so they can be easily patched for a roadside repair if needed.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Material | Natural rubber |
| Types Available | Standard (thin wall, street) / Heavy Duty (thick wall, off-road) |
| Valve Stem | Straight, with two nuts and tapered washer |
| Sizes Available | 17", 18", 19", 21" (multiple width ranges per diameter) |
| Sold | Individually |
Important Notes
- Tube size is determined by your tire size — match the diameter and width range printed on your current tire sidewall to the tube options above.
- Always replace inner tubes and rim strips together when changing tires. Old rim strips can allow spoke nipples to puncture the new tube.
- Only modern non-spoke (mag/cast) wheels can run tubeless. All vintage Honda spoke wheels require tubes.
- These tubes are compatible with balance beads — beads pass through the valve stem for dynamic tire balancing.
Model-Specific Tube Sizes
Use the fitment chart below (in the Compatibility tab) to find exactly which tube size fits your front and rear wheel. Here is a quick reference for the most common models:
| Model | Front Tube | Rear Tube |
|---|
| CT90 | 17" x 2.50–2.75" | 17" x 2.50–2.75" |
| CB175 / CL175 / CB200 | 18" x 2.25–2.75" or 18" x 3.00–3.50" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
| CB350 | 18" x 3.00–3.50" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
| CL350 / SL350 K0–K1 | 19" x 3.00–3.50" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
| SL350 K2 | 21" x 2.75–3.00" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
| CB360 / CL360 / CJ360 | 18" x 3.00–3.50" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
| CB450 K0–K2 | 18" x 3.00–3.50" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
| CB450 K3–K7 / CL450 / CB500T | 19" x 3.00–3.50" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
| CB500K / CB550K / CB550F | 19" x 3.00–3.50" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
| CB750K / CB750F / CB750A | 19" x 3.00–3.50" | 18" x 3.25–4.00" |
Installation Tips
- Pre-inflate the tube slightly — just enough to give it shape. This makes it much easier to tuck into the tire without pinching.
- Use baby powder — coat the outside of the tube and sprinkle inside the tire. This keeps the tube from sticking to the tire and rim during installation.
- Lubricate the tire bead — spray window cleaner (Windex works well) on the bead and rim edge. It lubricates during installation and evaporates clean.
- Install valve stem first — use a tire tamer tool to lift the bead and get the valve stem through the rim hole. Keep one nut on the inside and one on the outside.
- Pry in small bites — when using tire levers, take small bites (1–2 inches) to stretch the bead over the rim. This reduces the risk of pinching the tube.
- Start 180° from the valve stem — never start or finish the bead installation at the valve stem. It is the tightest spot on the rim.
- New tires: dry-fit first — for brand new tires, install the tire fully on the rim without the tube to pre-stretch it. Then remove one bead and install the tube. This makes the final installation significantly easier.
- Align the balance dot — line up the balance dot (red, white, or yellow) on the tire with the valve stem for the best starting balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size inner tube do I need for my Honda?
Tube size depends on your wheel diameter and tire width — not just the model. Check the tire sidewall for the size (e.g., 3.50-18) and match it to the tube width range in the dropdown above. The fitment chart in the Compatibility tab shows exactly which tube sizes go front and rear for every supported model.
Should I get Standard or Heavy Duty tubes?
Standard tubes are fine for street riding — they are lighter and work well for everyday use. Heavy Duty tubes have a thicker sidewall for extra puncture resistance and are recommended if you ride off-road, on gravel, or in areas with road debris. Both types are 100% natural rubber and can be patched.
Can I reuse my old inner tubes when I get new tires?
We strongly recommend against it. Inner tubes age and develop micro-cracks just like tires. An old tube inside a new tire is a common cause of flats shortly after a tire change. Fresh tubes and rim strips should go in with every tire swap.
Do I need tubes for my vintage Honda?
Yes. All vintage Honda motorcycles from this era use spoke wheels, and spoke wheels require inner tubes. Only modern cast/mag wheels (non-spoke) can run tubeless. Every Honda model we support — from the CT90 through the CB750 — has spoke wheels from the factory.
What tools do I need to change a tube?
At minimum you need tire levers, baby powder, and a way to inflate the tube. A tire bead popper makes removing the old tire much easier, and a tire tamer tool is extremely helpful for getting the valve stem through the rim during installation. A balance bead kit handles tire balancing without a machine.
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Last updated: March 2026
