Other Wheel & Tire Parts
About Other Wheel & Tire Parts
Tires and wheels depend on many small parts that do not belong under a bigger heading, and this category collects them. The listings include inner tubes in many sizes, individual spokes with nipples, wheel balancers, bearing shims and expander rods. Riders come here when a tube has a puncture, a spoke snaps, a wheel will not balance, or a bearing job calls for a shim or tool that was not in the kit.
Inner tubes are the biggest group, and size is what matters. The tube has to match both the rim diameter and the tire size, and many listings state the tire sizes they fit, such as 2.50-10 and 2.75-10. Standard tubes suit ordinary use, while heavy-duty tubes are built for rougher riding. The valve is the other choice: listings show center metal valves and side metal valves, and the valve has to line up with the hole in your rim. Spokes are sold by position, diameter and gauge, so match the length and thickness of the one you are replacing, and check that the wheel still runs true afterward.
Brands in this category include Excel, Bolt, Colony, AMS, ITP and IRC. The tubes and parts here go with Tires and Wheels & Rims, and bearing work often needs Axles, Bearings, Seals & Spacers. The full group is Wheels, Tires & Parts.
FAQs on motorcycle tubes, spokes and wheel parts
What size inner tube do I need for my tire?
Match the tube to the tire size printed on the sidewall, for example 2.75-10, and to the rim diameter. Many listings name the tire sizes they fit. A tube that is too big can fold and wear through, and one that is too small is stretched thin. Also check the valve type.
When is a heavy-duty inner tube worth choosing?
Heavy-duty tubes are built for harder use, such as rocky or rutted riding where pinch flats are more likely. They weigh a little more, so some riders keep standard tubes for light use. Either way, the size and valve type must match your tire and rim.
Does a motorcycle wheel need to be balanced?
On a street bike, balancing after mounting a tire is standard practice, because an unbalanced wheel causes vibration through the bars and pegs at speed. Many off-road riders ride at lower speeds and skip it. Follow your tire maker's advice for your type of riding.
Can I replace just one broken spoke?
Often yes. Use a spoke of the right length and gauge for that position, then check tension and trueness. If several spokes are broken or loose, the wheel is probably worn out as a set and should be checked by someone who laces and trues wheels.
What are wheel bearing shims used for?
On some hubs, thin shims set the small amount of end play in the bearings. Listings give the thickness in thousandths of an inch, such as .002 or .007. Fit them only as your service manual describes for your hub, and measure before choosing a thickness.
