Front tube = rear tube in a pinch?

[Josjor]

I thought I read somewhere that you could use a front tube in place of a rear tube in order to limp home.  Is that right?  Seems I read it somewhere.  Of course, this question stems from.....................

Had a great ride yesterday on about 20 miles of rough beach/brush followed by 7-10 miles of rough hunting road.  I was with a friend and his XR650.  The KLR more than kept up and then some.  I was worried a bit about the plastic in the thick brush, as well as the factory skid plate, but all held up real well.............

Except for the rear tube.  Caught a nail in the rear and but the time we got stopped the tire had spun and the tube was beyond patching.  We were about 20 miles from home in 100 degree heat.  Anyway, after trying to call everyone we could think of to get a tube, I ended up getting on my friends XR (sucks on the hiway compared to the KLR, BTW) and getting my pickup and trailer and hauling the KLR home.  It sits in the garage on stands right now, awaiting tubes.

I ordered a moose tube for both front and rear and plan on keeping the stock front tube as my spare on the bike, that is, if my information is correct and the front can be used temporarily on the rear.

Heres a pic of my friend and I on the beach.  Thanks for your info.

[Hondo]

Nice pics!

Sorry to hear about the tube probs. I carry both front & rear tubes with me at all times. I have heard that you could use a front in an emergency, and also have heard of folks carrying a 19' tube that would work for either tire. I'd hate to try it on the front though.

So IMO, having a spare of both makes the most sense.

[Josjor]

Thanks.  Hard to believe that those white, sandy beaches are in Nebraska, eh? www.lakemcconaughy.com

I was just looking to lighten and compact the load as much as possible.  Kind of a bummer, not being able to ride for a few days.  Ah, well.  Might give me time to finish that custom rear rack I been thinking about..............

[Cupid Stunt]

Yes, you can use a 21 inch tube in the rear, though you'd do well to inflate it to full pressure (around 35psi) otherwise there's a very high risk of getting another puncture very quickly (compression puncture)
I've been plagued with punctures since fitting my TKC80's and have used a 21 tube several times now, still haven't figured why I was getting punctures as they were all compression type and all whilst on tarmac  , at the moment I'm guessing that running TKC's at low pressures of around 15psi is no good, the tyre walls do seem to be soft, so from now on I'm running 35psi

[Biker Scout]

Yes, you can use a 21" front tube in the rear. I've done it twice now. But the idea is to only use it just to get you out of where you are. Rule of thumb is to never use a smaller tube stretched over a larger rim. That 19" on the front sounds like it's asking for trouble. I'd probably walk out before risking an actual blowout on the front.

Or, you can do what a lot of us are doing... giving in to the "Dark Side" and going with an 18' (or 17") front and rear combo. Then you never have to worry about complicated tube issues again.

I have a pair of 18" wheels and tires on my horse. Works great!