From "Johno" in the thread:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=112827.25 "Probably just going to add to the confusion but when Mark Skehan purchased the pro stock 900 kwaka from RC the V&H champion winning groovy bike and brought it to South Australia at the end of the season it had (as I remember) the biggest meanest goodyear road race slick I ever saw on a polished alloy rim and I just wanted one after that."
From "RP" in the same thread: "Here is what I remember on the evolution of the rear tires. In 1973 and prior, people were using the 18" M&H and/or Avon 4 inch wide flat slick. Also some used a 15" x 7" car tire slick. Or they were using what was on that first RC Honda, I have no idea what that could be but they should be some magzine photos of that somewhere. Then in 1974 or 1975 Goodyear started making a soft compound road race slick with an inch wide spacer added to the mold specifically for drag racing. It was a round cornered wrinkle wall construction that evolved for over 10 years and then people went to custom built frames and 9 inch wide car tires to handle the new found horsepower."
I have two different rear tire/wheel combos that both were from 70's cb750 engined drag bikes. Both have the very same "3.50x18" "Goodyear" "Motorcycle Road Racer" tires(see photos below). The tires measure 24" tall overall and 5 3/4" wide overall mounted on DID alloy 3.50x18 rims. Other identification on the tire sidewall include: "A-1", "Made in USA" with "219949-3M37WS" underneath, "5HZENA6S", and "D1911". I didn't notice any obvious signs of a manufacture date on either of them though. (would be nice to know)
I was a bit confused at first finding old "road racing" tires on vintage drag bikes, but the posts above appear to shed some light on the subject. Naturally, I'm curious to hear more of the history of these special road race tires on drag bikes. Anyone have more details? I'd love to hear more...
George
