Topic: 130/90(80? 70?) x 18 rear tire recommendations? UPDATE 3" wide rim

[SKTP]

I have a 1978 cb750k with an 18" rear Lester mag. I have been using Dunlop 404 120/90 x 18 for the last few tires but was thinking I might like to try a 130. This seems to be a not popular tire size. Any recommendations welcome.

[seanbarney41]

What width lester?  If it's 2.15, it will just get big chicken strips and square off fast.

[PeWe]

My CB750K6 had a Metzeler ME99 130/80-18 back in the 80's. Front 3.50-19. The tires should be a wide as possible back then. Front had to be squeezed in when mounting the wheel.
130/80-18 is available today too.

It has stock size rear today, 4.0-18. Front 100/90-19. Next will be stock 3.25-19. Both rims stock. Good handling with stock size tires on stock sized rims.

[SKTP]

Ok I am pretty new to tires and still figuring this out....It seems that if I go 130/80x18 there are options.

for example: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/continental-road-attack-2-tire

Here's how my bike looks with the 120/90. I will have to measure the rim width as I am not sure how wide the Lester is.

[SKTP]

I guess I will change my question to:

What rear tire would you run if you had an 18" Lester Mag that is 3" wide (Sports Touring type riding) Thanks

I have been using a 404Dunlop 120/90....Thinking of trying a 130/80 130/70?...pros? Cons? Thanks

Maybe these? https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/pirelli-sport-demon-motorcycle-tire/p/11681



I need to clean my rims!

[Bankerdanny]

You measure between the beads, not where you are measuring. But look for the wheel size to be cast into one of the spokes near the rim end.

[SKTP]

Talked to Don. He's running a 140/80-18 on his 18" Lester on a 550.

Thank you as Always Don...

[754]

That us a 2.15 or 2.50 rim.   Narrower than stock 17 in wheel which is 17 in.
 Are those pics in Solvang ?

[seanbarney41]

All the Lester's I have, have the size cast into the rim or the spokes, or maybe it's stamped, can't remember...

[SKTP]

Pics are in Cambria. Drove 540miles that weekend.

I am pretty sure my 18" Lester is the larger width. Will look for the stamp tonight.

I ordered 130/80x18" of this https://www.bikebandit.com/tires-tubes/motorcycle-tires/pirelli-sport-demon-motorcycle-tire/p/11681

[754]

You will be ok with a 130.
 My 130 16 is huge.

[754]

It is huge, they were the biggest when they came out  25 years ago, and they are still huge now.
 I have held 3 or 4 other 130 90 16 in the past 2 weeks, and these are still big.
 Will post measure ment later, it and an old style Phantom.
 Phantom 137.5 wide UNINFLATED.. it will probably narrow with air.
 Conti         141    wide inflated..

[Bankerdanny]

My 550 had a 130/90-18 on it's 2.15-18 Lester when I bought it. It looked ok, but when I put new tires on I went to 110/90, which looks good.