Wax on inner tubes?
 

I recently purchased an original SOMA prestige from the early 80's. It was all original down to the tubes and tires. Noticed some curious things I haven't seen before and was just wondering what the idea was about since I haven't seen anything like it on any of my newer bikes.

First, the rims are aluminum 27" with presta valve openings. The tubes were 700x1 tubes with presta valves.....interesting. Was this common on nicer Asian made bikes of this era?

Second, the tubes were coated with a weird orange colored wax of some sort. It was only on the outside edge of the tubes...the part that sits next to underside of the tire tread. What was the purpose of doing that?

Thx...

27" rims with holes for presta were not uncommon.
No familiar with waxed tubes.

Many things are not the same, as they were, over 33 years Ago.

I'm guessing the wax was used like I use talc powder today. Leave an innertube in a tire for a year or two and it nearly bonds to the tire. I talc my tires and I'd guess that some form of wax would work equally well. Just a guess.