Topic: What tire?

[Don R]

 I'm looking for original style tires for a sandcast 750.  In this case originality is more important than performance.  I found dunlop K70's,  bridgestone has a ribbed front that looks close. Avon has an original looking spedmaster front too.
 What tires have others used that fit this description??

[tlbranth]

K70's were the original tire for Brit bikes, not the Honda CB750.

[Stev-o]

I believe your bike came with Bridgestone, but a model that is no longer made. 

[Don R]

Yep,  the bridgestone's still on there but it rolls like it came off a clown car. What I need is a proper replacement. This Honda wants to run but desperately needs some new kicks.
 I'm tempted to throw the dunlops and lester mags from my 70 hot rod on it. That'd get the sandcast guys talking.

[brewsky]

How about these?
HF 317 & HF318 (or HF314)
http://www.durotire.com/Tires/tabid/186/categoryid/33/Default.aspx

[Stev-o]

How about these?
HF 317 & HF318 (or HF314)
http://www.durotire.com/Tires/tabid/186/categoryid/33/Default.aspx

Those look good but a quick google search produced no reviews [other than on a vendors website].
I believe they are made in China which I usually stay away from.
Brewsky - do you have these?

[bryanj]

If you want tyres that look similar to original but are way better handling look for Metzeler ME 11 front and ME 77 rear. Both available in the original sizes for the bike, may be listed as tubless now but perfectly safe fitted to spoke rim with tube

[brewsky]

How about these?
HF 317 & HF318 (or HF314)
http://www.durotire.com/Tires/tabid/186/categoryid/33/Default.aspx

Those look good but a quick google search produced no reviews [other than on a vendors website].
I believe they are made in China which I usually stay away from.
Brewsky - do you have these?

No, just came across them looking for a 4.50-17 bias.
I would also like to see some actual experience before I tried them.
I still like the k-70s, and we considered them an upgrade to stock at the time.
Bridgestone still makes the correct sizes I believe in the correct pattern, but not sure they are available in the states.

[heffay]

I prefer the look of the Dunlop Gold Seal F11 over the Dunlop Gold Seal K70.
I've only used the F11 though... It has been on my 350f for a long time, probably 10 years, so about 8,000 miles.  Once the tread wears a bit, I think it looks even better.  I bought it for the style, but the performance has been great too.

[Stev-o]

How about these?
HF 317 & HF318 (or HF314)
http://www.durotire.com/Tires/tabid/186/categoryid/33/Default.aspx

Those look good but a quick google search produced no reviews [other than on a vendors website].
I believe they are made in China which I usually stay away from.
Brewsky - do you have these?

No, just came across them looking for a 4.50-17 bias.

I would like to change the rear tire/wheel on my 550 cafe and have thought about using a 17" CB750 wheel. Tire selection appears to be limited in a vintage style 17"...

[KC_Northstar]

For my K1 I used Avon Speedmaster for the front and Dunlop K70 for the rear.   I think it gives the correct vintage look
and I'm happy with the way my bike handles.

KC

[seanbarney41]

I vote for Dunlop k81 rear, Avon speedmaster front...both are grippy, but the k81 is only gonna last about 5k (with aggressive use) and the Avon reeeaalllly sucks on grooved pavement.

[KC_Northstar]

I vote for Dunlop k81 rear, Avon speedmaster front...both are grippy, but the k81 is only gonna last about 5k (with aggressive use) and the Avon reeeaalllly sucks on grooved pavement.

That's a good combo too and I was thinking of going with the K81 rear, but couldn't find it in 4.00 x 18 so I
went with the K70.  I also agree that the speedmaster follows grooves, but that's a trait of all ribbed front
tires.  Overall the combo handles well.   seanbarney, were you able to find the K81 in 4.00 x 18?

KC

[PeWe]

Check the tire recommendation on the tire sticker for your bike.
I read and googled, found a site where they discuss this. Scroll to the bottom of the link
http://www.cb450stuff.com/tires/

These are the tires on the sticker:
Bridgestone Superspeed 21 F2  front
Bridgestone Superspeed 21 R2  rear EDIT: read wrong on the label
Dunlop F6  front
Dunlop F17 rear

[Stev-o]

Dunlop F6  front
Dunlop F17 rear

Are these Euro models?

[Jayelwin]

For the Avon Speedmaster is it the 3.25-19 or the 3.5-19 for the front tire?

And what sized Dunlop K70's for the rear?

[Stev-o]

For the Avon Speedmaster is it the 3.25-19 or the 3.5-19 for the front tire?

3.25 was original but both will work fine.

[PeWe]

Dunlop F6  front
Dunlop F17 rear

Are these Euro models?

I do not know. All stickers I have seen on Internet look like that.
I checked mine in the garage waiting to find its place on my bike. My stickers arrived in HONDA labeled plastic bags.

[Jayelwin]

For the record my wife's CB350 twin has the Duro's on it and they're pretty good but she is as casual a rider as they come. I bought them to complete the "look".

[PeWe]

something like this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Tires-Tube-Set-IRC-GS-11-3-25-19-4-00-18-GT750-CB750-SOHC-Kawi-H1-H2-Z1/190909787553?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D18577%26meid%3D2751507805791560139%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D8476%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D190904019326%26

[Don R]

Since my K4 with a continental on the front and a goodyear on the rear, I haven't mixed tire brands. It handled fine with either on both ends but not mixed. Not saying I won't though.
 The original tire numbers are long out of production. I appreciate the guys that are running a combo that works, thanks for sharing the info. no rain grooves around here so I'll probably find a ribbed front.
 I've run the chinese poppers on my car trailer, I'll try to stick to something not made in china. My parts dealer apologized for a new set of tires being made in Japan. Well duh.  That's OK, so was my bike.

Keep em coming I'm still shopping.

[seanbarney41]

I vote for Dunlop k81 rear, Avon speedmaster front...both are grippy, but the k81 is only gonna last about 5k (with aggressive use) and the Avon reeeaalllly sucks on grooved pavement.

That's a good combo too and I was thinking of going with the K81 rear, but couldn't find it in 4.00 x 18 so I
went with the K70.  I also agree that the speedmaster follows grooves, but that's a trait of all ribbed front
tires.  Overall the combo handles well.   seanbarney, were you able to find the K81 in 4.00 x 18?

KC

I think so but it was a couple years ago, so I am not sure, and I can't remember where...Anyway, the 4.10x18 is only a little wider and seems widely(ha ha pun)available from motorcycle superstore, etc.  I have been running Metzeler Lasertecs lately.  They have a more sportier profile than what would have come on a KO, but it is a nice, vintage-ish tread pattern.  Awsome performance, available in the correct sizes  and very durable...

[Don R]

The Dunlop K81 front tire I found was 4.10 and the rear is 4.25.  K70 front and K81 rear is what I have on my K0 hot rod.
 So far I like the Avon speedmaster 3.25-19  front with the MII 4.00 -18 rear, also
 Conti has An RB2 -K112 combo that looks right in 3.25 -19 and 4.00 -18. not sure where the conti's are made. I had a set in the late 70's and liked them.
 If I get tires for my F1, the metzlers look good for that bike.

 Thanks, anyone else?

[seanbarney41]

Conti's made in Germany?...really good tires, expensive

[brewsky]

Conti's about 2x the Duro's...but probably worth it if you are going to ride it much
http://www.amazon.com/Continental-K112-Vintage-Motorcycle-4-00-18/dp/B003YIADPM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384682623&sr=8-1&keywords=continental+112