Topic: Questions about tires

[emlupi]

Good afternoon,

My '72 750K2 has been sitting for at least 15 years so I want to replace the tires. I have a couple of questions.

1) What is a good all around tire for this bike? I'm not looking for anything sporty nor am I overly concerned with a "vintage look ". Looking for an all around tire with good ride quality.

2) Should I replace the tubes and liners as well and, if so, where can I find these? Most parts suppliers list the tubes as obsolete.

As always, many thanks for the advice

[Gene]

Re: Tubes and liners - yes, replace.  You can find them all over on-line or at any bike shop. You need to search for suppliers that carry old-bike stuff.  4-into-1, Bike Bandit, David Silver Spares are but a few examples.

Re: tires - lots of threads on here about that. I have BT-45's on my 550 and Continentals on the 750. You can do a google search "Tires for CB750" and include "sohc4.net" to dig up the threads.

Have fun.

[pjlogue]

Motorcycle superstore has pretty good prices.  I bought a pair of Pirellis there. 

Yes, replace innertube and rubber bands.  Check your spoke nipples on the inner side of the rim for rust and clean/smooth any rough spots. 

-P. 

[Duke McDukiedook]

Avon Roadriders. Hard to beat.

[BomberMann650]

I went with s11 spitfires after wearing down my first set of gs-11's

Couldn't afford the battlax bt45 - even if they kick ass, the mileage reports here are comparatively low.

My pal has avons on his beemer.  They serve him incredibly well and he ride that old bike A LOT.

[BobbyR]

The rim strips can be gotten at Dennis Kirk and others. As suggested remove any rust on the inside of the rim. I use the BT-45s. I am not a daily rider so the speed of wear is not an issue. What I like is they have very good grip in wet and dry. I have leaned them over at a ridiculous angle in emergency maneuvers or misjudgement on my part.  Harder tires may wear slower, but you lose grip. I like the Metzler natural rubber tubes. They are thick and strong. I depend on the tires as much as I depend on the brakes.

[emlupi]

Thanks for the tips. I have done the "CB 750 tires" search and got an avalanche of links. I figured I would ask those who have the experience and miles and at least narrow it all down. Appreciate the help.

[jamesw]

Bridgestone S11.....100-90-19 & 110-90-18

Got tubes from amazon and rim strips from vintagecb750.com

[whitjonw]

Should I replace the tubes and liners as well and, if so, where can I find these?

Absolutely, you should replace those items and even wondering why you would ask such a question ?   

[emlupi]

I would "ask such a question" because I am  inexperienced in such matters and that is what this forum is supposed to be for. A place to share ideas and learn from those who know.

Right?

[Johnie]

You are correct...that is what this forum is for. I know you probably have a lot of info on that search, but my 2 cents...years ago during my first CB750KO project I asked the same question. The answer from the board at that time was the Continental gave the retro look so that is what I have gone with ever since on each of my 750's. Sure, they are a bit more expensive, but I like the look, feel, handling and get good mileage out of them. Now I am not an aggressive rider and you have to figure that into your equation too.

[FridgeRaider]

I would "ask such a question" because I am  inexperienced in such matters and that is what this forum is supposed to be for. A place to share ideas and learn from those who know.

Right?

Right!

Here's a consolidated list for you on options:

Rim Strips:

buy two of these and you are covered for both wheels. It fits, it's cheap, and it serves it's purpose.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D5ENDZM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Tubes:

Here are some tube options that I have bought and used on my K2. Make sure the tube size you purchase fits your corresponding rim and tire choice. Moderately priced, fits, and holds air as long as you don't pinch holes in them like I did the first two tries.

Kenda: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FTZOJ0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
IRC: https://www.amazon.com/IRC-TR-4-Tube-4-00-5-10-18-90-18/dp/B002OKITLG/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1478572637&sr=1-1&keywords=tube+110%2F90-18

Tyres:

This is all personal preference when factoring in budget, look, function

Budget-friendy option with great feedback on the forum
Shinko 712s: http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/shinko-712-motorcycle-tire
Kenda Challengers: http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/kenda-k657-challenger-motorcycle-tire

Forum Standards
Avon Roadriders: http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/avon-am26-roadrider-motorcycle-tire
Bridgestone Battlax BT45s: http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/bridgestone-battlax-bt45-motorcycle-tire
Dunlop D404s: http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/dunlop-d404-motorcycle-tire

Alternative Looking Options
Bridgestone Spitfire S11: http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/bridgestone-spitfire-s11-motorcycle-tire
Dunlop K70s: http://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/dunlop-k70-vintage-motorcycle-tire

There are plenty of choices I didn't list that people swear by, again it has a lot to do with personal experience of the rider and their specific needs. Hopefully this gives you some idea on where to start looking and doing your research on what specific factors you need in a tire.

[emlupi]

Many thanks for the constructive comments.

[BobbyR]

Fridge gave you it all in a nutshell. New cheap tires are better than always better than 15 year old tires.  Feel free to ask any question you like.

[BomberMann650]

I heard Shinko tires are manufactured by Yokohama.

[TomsK8resto]

Regardless of what tires you buy, you need to clean off the manufacturing "coating" on them by either riding them with care for up to 100 miles or clean off the "coating" with some process or scrubbing them.

I rode my Bt45s within moderation on my '78 750K bike for 100 miles and now I feel comfortable to get after it in the corners.  I like the tires BTW.

This forum is the greatest for info and support.

Tom

[70CB750]

I heard Shinko tires are manufactured by Yokohama.

I heard the same thing.  I used Yokohamas on my Honda in Europe - Czechia, Austria, Germany, France - never had any problems with them.

+1 on    Motorcycle superstore for tires.  Good price and fast shipping.

[jonda500]

Tubes and rim tapes never see the light of day and can sometimes last longer than you'd think-  one of my tyres still has a bridgestone tube from the late eighties in it! I did ask the shop to fit a new tube, but they said the old one was in such good shape still that they re-used it 
John 

[whitjonw]

I would "ask such a question" because I am  inexperienced

That's all you had to say. Of course, this forum is about sharing ideas for all of us to gain knowledge and make smarter decisions. My advice is as stated previously and that would be to replace the tubes and rim strips. Cheap insurance in a sense. 

[Stev-o]

Bridgestone, Avon, Dunlop and IRC are all good tires that I run on my bikes.  Amazon, Motorcycle Superstore and Dennis Kirk are good stores to buy. Look for free shipping.

[Duanob]

I would "ask such a question" because I am  inexperienced in such matters and that is what this forum is supposed to be for. A place to share ideas and learn from those who know.

Right?

Yes we were all beginners at one time some even before the internet!

Your next question will be what size tires?

For the fronts I believe the major consensus is 100/90-19. they are larger than stock but give more confidence and look better! Remeber your speedo will be off by a bit but not much once you get used to it. Maybe 4 MPH at hiway speeds?

Rears are a bit more flexible but since I'm short I go with a shorter tire. I went with 110/80-18. 120/80-18 seems more standard. Maybe others will jump in with their preferred sizes.

[BomberMann650]

**110/90r18 rear

[Stev-o]

120/90-18 on the rear of my 750's, 110's on the 550's...

[garyS-NJ]

I looked and researched and ended up with thebattleax bt45 and very very happy.   I was tempted to go up 2 sizes in width but stopped after learning how fat tire narrow rim isn't good for performance.  I kinda remember going up one size on the width and perhaps down one size on aspect ratio.  I could check my actual sizes next week.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

[BomberMann650]

I looked and researched and ended up with thebattleax bt45 and very very happy.   I was tempted to go up 2 sizes in width but stopped after learning how fat tire narrow rim isn't good for performance.  I kinda remember going up one size on the width and perhaps down one size on aspect ratio.  I could check my actual sizes next week.

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Forget the rim for a moment - I couldn't fit the 110/90 in between the forks!!  Well, not without a fair lot of shoving a swearing.  100/90 front or squish.