Topic: 16 x 4.5" wheel: let's talk tires.

[KrautKoffin]

I recently bought a wider rear tire for my 550 build and know nothing of motorcycle tires. I understand a wider wheel and tire will decrease my turning abilities, braking, and add extra weight but this isn't a bike I will be pushing hard at all. I compensated for the supposed lack of braking by going with a dual gl1000 dual disk front end, but am having trouble finding tires that will fit the wheel width of 4.5". Any help is appreciated.

[Stev-o]

I recently bought a wider rear tire for my 550 build and know nothing of motorcycle tires.

I would have done research BEFORE the purchase.

[KrautKoffin]

I recently bought a wider rear tire for my 550 build and know nothing of motorcycle tires.

I would have done research BEFORE the purchase.

Thanks Stevo, what kind of research would you recommend?

[becken]

I have a 16" Lester wheel on my 1976 CB550F and an running a 130/90-16 Bridgestone BT45. I don't know what the rim width is anymore. I did have to notch out the chain guard and slightly bend the brake torque arm to get clearance.
http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/gs/Motorcycle_Rim_Width_Tire_Size_Chart.pdf

[jpfrk2001]

160/60.

Maybe look into a 55 series tire. Thats a wide wheel for 16" diameter.

Mines a 17" x 4.5" and I plan on running a 160/60/17 rear and a 120/60/17 front. that is actually a perfect match when I did my research.

[74750k4]

No chain guard. Bridgestone BT45 as above...

[Retro Rocket]

I understand a wider wheel and tire will decrease my turning abilities, braking, and add extra weight but this isn't a bike I will be pushing hard at all. I compensated for the supposed lack of braking by going with a dual gl1000 dual disk front end, but am having trouble finding tires that will fit the wheel width of 4.5". Any help is appreciated.

Where did you get this from..?  Most of what you've said there is wrong, if what you said were the case , late model bikes with their large tire sizes wouldn't stop and would handle like sh1t.... Just putting a wide rear on will upset the handling a little but its more likely to push the front , you will actually have more braking due to the larger contact patch of modern sized tires. I would go twin discs anyway as they are safer. There's a lot more to bike handling than tires...

[Don R]

 I got a 5.5 X 16" M&H Square side, flat bottom drag slick. Now that will affect your cornering! But I bet it fits good!
 I'm not familiar with the metric width numbers but a few modern bikes use a 16" rim and a fat tire. There's got to be something out there. try amazon,com and search 16" motorcycle tires.

[KrautKoffin]

I understand a wider wheel and tire will decrease my turning abilities, braking, and add extra weight but this isn't a bike I will be pushing hard at all. I compensated for the supposed lack of braking by going with a dual gl1000 dual disk front end, but am having trouble finding tires that will fit the wheel width of 4.5". Any help is appreciated.

Where did you get this from..?  Most of what you've said there is wrong, if what you said were the case , late model bikes with their large tire sizes wouldn't stop and would handle like sh1t.... Just putting a wide rear on will upset the handling a little but its more likely to push the front , you will actually have more braking due to the larger contact patch of modern sized tires. I would go twin discs anyway as they are safer. There's a lot more to bike handling than tires...

I over exaggerated because of the older guys in here like lucky and Stevo who will sh1t on a thread for not factoring in the handling, extra weight, and braking.