Rim Strip

Rim Strip for Vintage Honda Motorcycles

A rim strip is the cheap rubber band that sits in the bottom of a spoke rim, covering the spoke nipples so they can’t chew through your inner tube. Leave it out—or run an old, cracked one—and a sharp nipple end will eventually work a hole in a brand-new tube.

Why You Need This

Spoke nipples and the raw edges of the rim sit right where the inner tube wants to be. Without a rim strip between them, the nipples rub and dig into the tube until it punctures—and during installation the tube can catch on a nipple and pinch. The rim strip is a simple protective barrier between the rim and the tube that prevents those flats and extends the life of the tube and tire.

It’s an often-overlooked piece. The old strip dries out, goes brittle, and tears, so replace it every time you mount a new tire or tube—cheap insurance against pulling the wheel back apart.

Specifications

Which Size Do I Need?

Match the rim strip to your wheel’s rim diameter—the last number in your tire size (a 3.50-18 tire runs an 18" rim). Front and rear are often different sizes, so check both. The quick version:

• 17" — CT90 / Trail 90 (front and rear)
• 18" — the most common size: the rear of nearly every model, plus the front of CB350, CB360, CB175, and CB200
• 19" — the front of CL350, SL350 (K0–K1), CB450 / CL450 / CB500T, CB500K / CB550, and CB750
• 21" — the front of the SL350 K2 only

Not listed? Read the rim diameter off your tire—the last number in the size (3.50-18 means an 18" rim) is the strip you need.

Note: Sold individually. A complete bike takes a pair—one front, one rear—and they’re often different sizes, so order each by the chart above.

Installation

Difficulty: Beginner

The rim strip goes in during a tire change, underneath the tube:

1. With the tire and tube off, peel out the old rim strip.
2. Lay the new strip into the rim so it covers the spoke nipples all the way around, with its hole over the valve-stem hole in the rim.
3. Install the tube and tire over it.

We replace the rim strip as a step in our full at-home tire-change walkthrough:

Frequently Asked Questions

What size rim strip do I need?

Match it to your wheel’s rim diameter, which is the last number in your tire size—a 3.50-18 tire runs an 18" rim, so you need an 18" strip. Front and rear are often different: see the size chart above. The short version—CT90 is 17"; most rears are 18"; most fronts (CL350, CB450, CB550, CB750) are 19"; and the SL350 K2 front is the lone 21".

Do I need one or two?

Rim strips are sold individually—one per wheel. A full bike needs a pair, and because the front and rear rims are often different diameters, the two strips may be different sizes. Check both wheels before you order.

Should I replace the rim strip every time I change a tire?

Yes. The old strip dries out, cracks, and tears—at which point it stops protecting the tube. Since it’s already exposed whenever the tire is off, a fresh strip is cheap insurance against a spoke nipple working a hole in a new tube.

You Might Also Need

• Inner Tube — replace the tube and strip together; sized by the same rim diameter
• Tire Lever & Bead Holder Kit — the levers and bead holder for the tire change
• Tire Bead Holder — holds the bead down in the well while you work the tire on and off
• Spoke Set Kit — if you’re rebuilding or re-lacing the wheel while it’s apart

Last updated: June 2026