Topic: 78 550 K4 - What Rear Tire?

[K3Owner]

Hi list,

The very cheap, mounted in the 90s, Cheng Shin has finally worn thin on the rear. I replaced the front this year with the Avon Speedmaster - very much like the original.

Anyone have any experience with a tire combo that includes this front and what do y'all recommend for a rear replacement in any case? I like to try to keep it as original as possible. Thanks!

[Stev-o]

How 'bout the Dunlop, similar to what was used back in the day. Bridgestones were stock, but that model is not made.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/14/72/963/20557/ITEM/Dunlop-K70-Rear-Tire.aspx?SiteID=Google_PLA963&WT.mc_ID=10012&esvt=0-GOUSC&esvadt=9-0-3886819-1&esvaid=30548&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CJWcx5fIqLgCFSRp7AodrQ8Avg

[K3Owner]

Thanks Stev-o - I also see that there is a K81 that has a central quiet rib. Can you compare it to the K70? I see the 81 is tubeless...

No, I don't think you're a tire guru but appreciate any experience you can lend. My logic - front and back with center grooves means quiet running but I don't want to make the bike unstable.  '78 550K

[dave500]

use a matching avon rear,you ran a mid 90s tyre?

[Stev-o]

use a matching avon rear,you ran a mid 90s tyre?

This would be the matching rear tire, I don't like the pattern, nothing like original.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/31/401/14793/ITEM/Avon-SM-Mark-II-Rear-Tire.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch


Sorry, no tire guru here, but have been shopping for tires recently for my RD350 and want a vintage tire as well. I'm having trouble finding an 18" front though. 

I recently bought Avons AM26's for my Z1, but that is a modern looking tire, wanted the best handing tire for it, needs all the help it can get!

[K3Owner]

Dave500 - it was a Cheng Shin 110/90 recommended by some store back in New Jersey in the early 90s. That was years before I escaped that state and when I wouldn't risk tire irons. The front tire they recommended wasn't even a good fit. I scrapped that a few months ago. I had a 1200 Bandit and put 30K on it instead of the CB so the tires have lived for a great while. The little 550 is now my one and only. The Avon rear is an option but I do prefer the OEM appearance.

Stev-o - I wish I could locate a 3.75 but it seems they've gone the way of the do-do. 4.00 will have to do and is close enough. Good luck in your search!

Thanks guys!

[Stev-o]

Hard to find a 3.75, hey, it's only a quarter inch wider. 

I think I'm going with IRC, anyone have an opinion? Their not Chinese made.....

http://www.amazon.com/IRC-GS11-Front-Motorcycle-3-00-18/dp/B003Y8F9KG/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_img_y

[Nic]

I'm going K81s for my 750, will be buying real soon.

[K3Owner]

Central rib so quiet. No experience with IRC. Can't be worse than Cheng Shin...

[KC_Northstar]

I wanted the vintage look on my CB750 K1, so I went with the Avon Speedmaster front and Dunlop K70 on the rear.
I'm real happy with that combo.  Both great tires and they work well together.  Handle pretty good.


KC

[Stev-o]

Is a quiet tire really a concern? You must have a very quiet stock exhaust and not ride over 4K RPM?

[dave500]

nothing wrong with cheng shin,i just put one on this ride,its a 450-400x8,its awsome!

[K3Owner]

That barrow will be difficult to steer in the corners! As for the 550, I keep her to the back roads and in high gear so 4500 is typical and the exhaust is bone stock and 'perfect'. I guess I wouldn't hear the rear tire over the tappets so, yup, probably not an issue. Sounds like the K70 is the way to go.

[Stev-o]

Awesome tire, Dave.  Available in an 18"??

[Lostboy Steve]

I had cst's on my brothers ninja500 and he took a pretty bad spill around a corner. Don't know if it has anything to do with the tire, but possibly? He's been fine on the Michelin pilot sports since.