Topic: Reproduction ribbed front tires

[6pkrunner]

Who makes a good rib design front tire in the standard 3.25 x 19 size. I want to restore my bikes as close as possible to they way they left the factory and need a good rib design for the front. I don't mind using a newer company, but would like to retain the rib design. Anyone?

[Bob Wessner]

Try this previous post I found using the 'search' with "tires" "restoration"

http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=833.0

[bryanj]

metzeler 350 x 19 only though (as per 750) and 400 x 18 rear also as per 750. I think its ME11 front and ME77 rear

[Einyodeler]

There are quite a few to choose from:
DUNLOP-- F11
AVON-- Speedmaster
BRIDGESTONE-- Accolade, L307, L303
IRC-- GS11, DurotourRS410
DURO--HF302B
CHENG SHIN-- Grand Marquis

[Jonesy]

Try the Continental RB-2. It's got the rib pattern, with some block pattern as well. Not sure if it's as close as you want....

[SteveD CB500F]

Addition to Einyodeler's list of ribbed tyres:

Pirelli Phantom

[Uncle Ernie]

I hope you're only going to use these bikes with ribbed tires for parades and/or coffee tables.

[6pkrunner]

Yup. The CBs are mainly for nighttime cruising. However  in 1971 and so we leaned on them every bit as hard as those 736ccs would pump. And most of us are still here. Granted rubber has come a long way, but the job was done at the time.

[Raul CB750K1]

I have ribbed Metzelers and I have the trust that they can match any other pattern tire in grip and durability. I ride my bike like I'd do with any other tire on it.

[cb750_chris]

My Z1 restorers guide suggests that the Z1 needs a ribbed front tire to give it dirrectional stability.  Riders who scrapped the ribs back in the day for tt100's were fooled into thinking thier bike was handling better by the way it felt and often crashed. 

It does suggest that Continental, Dunlop Red Arrow, and Metzeler eventually made tyres that worked better but it doesn't say what type besides Red Arrow. 

I'm sure our CB's had some of the same charictaristics although I'm not claiming to know really what all this means. 

Did I Come off a curt on that post about my tyres?  I have a habbit if using really short scentances and didn't want to sound that way.  Soory about that. 

Chris. 

[Einyodeler]

The only thing that the ribbed tires of today have in common with the oe tires of 35 years ago is looks,tire technology and the compounds available today are light years ahead of the old tires.

[Raul CB750K1]

That's what I meant. My ME33 and ME77 Metzelers have the old-looking groove pattern, but construction type and compound are modern, so I trust in them.

Raul