Topic: tires (550 cafe build)

[jennija]

Ive been looking for a set of tires for my  cafe build, I am sticking with the stock spoked wheels with the exception of black spokes an powdercoated rims and hubs, what Im looking for is a crotch rocket/sport bike styled tire with white walls, now I found a set or two but like an idiot I forgot Id need tires that use tubes.....WHICH voids any I have found thus far.....any ideas??

[CapeCafe]

I used Avon RoadRiders with tubes on my 550.  They give it a modern shoe look with decent contact and rain performance.  I doubt I could ever get the little Honda beyond the tires capabilities

[mrfish2]

Generally you can run a tube inside a tubless tire. I just put a set of Dunlop K70's on my 550, has a great look to it.

[Scott S]

 Please don't run white walls.

[jennija]

thanks guys, really think I can get away with tubes in a tubless? Im no expert by any means but that sounds a problem waiting to happen....And I didnt ask for opinions, Im running the white walls if i can find them.

[Rexall]

Tubeless really only applies when you have mag style wheels. You have to run tubes in labeled tubeless tires with spoked wheels unless you want to try one of the methods to airtight spoked wheels to go tubeless. Just remember when you install your tires to put the white dot at the valve stem. Generally manufacturers mark the tire with a white dot to mark the light spot on the tire for balancing issues.

[alacrity]

yes. run tubes in your tubeless tires. Just make sure you have fresh rim protection strips installed so the nipple-backs dont chafe the tube and cause a flat.

As for brand/model of tires, i've tried Avons and bridgestones and dunlops on the bikes. I am now 100% convinced that for real riding (not just "hey look how vintage my vintage bike is" kind of posing), the Michelin Pilot ACTIV tires are remarkably better than the rest.  They handle great in all sorts of conditions (says ex-roadracer). I really push this bike, and gave away two sets of other tires because of the ways they skittered about.  These things just work. imho.
sizes: 100-90-19 in front and 120-90-18 in back

[alacrity]

These:   http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-activ