Topic: Re-Tiring the 400f

[jchilper]

It's time to change the old IRC's for something new. Time seems to fly with motorcycle tires. One day you realize the things have been on the bike for way too long (I don't even want to admit how long in this case!). So I'm asking all the 400f folks what they're riding on, seems finding 3.00 x 18 and 3.50 x 18 tires is getting tough. I've found the IRC's, Avons and Shinko (what's a Shinko?). Any recommendations would be welcome.

[RAFster122s]

Shinko bought out Yokohama's MC tire molds and business and puts out inexpensive modern rubber compound in the old molds and lots of new molds too. Good inexpensive tires with modest life.

[Quattrocilindri]

I believe the 350F has the same tires as the 400F. And these are what I bought, along with new tubes. They do great for me:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031BDDZY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031B7SJ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Tim2005]

Avon RoadRiders/AM26s are brilliant on a 400f. Sizes 90/90-18 F & 100/90-18 R, run about 30psi front & 34 rear

[Kadett]

Avon RoadRiders here, same sizes as Tim2005. Very happy.

[jchilper]

Those Avons look pretty aggressive. I like how they look, not too interested in a vintage look. The guy who did the tires on my CB750 (Michelins) talked Avon down, like he didn't even want to touch them for how hard they are to balance.

[evinrude7]

I've had pretty good luck w the shinkos. They don't last very long and are a bit sketchy when cold but it's warming up now. Once they are warm they stick well.

Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk

[Tim2005]

Those Avons look pretty aggressive. I like how they look, not too interested in a vintage look. The guy who did the tires on my CB750 (Michelins) talked Avon down, like he didn't even want to touch them for how hard they are to balance.

I suggest you find a different tyre guy, they are very easy to balance.

[david 750f]

I agree with Tim, Avons balance like any tire.

I have RoadRiders on my bike, excellent handling tire. Your mechanic probably makes more on the other brands.

[jchilper]

This was the first time I'd used this shop, they've been on my radar for awhile. They say they don't work on anything older than 2005 but changing tires isn't a problem. I dropped of my K6 front wheel along with a new strap, tube and a Michelin Pilot Activ. When I was on the phone with him he asked what brand of tire I was bringing. When I got there I asked "why did you ask what brand tire?". He said they hate certain brands - the Chinese stuff a flat refusal to touch, Conti's, Avons are extremely hard to balance. Since tire options are pretty limited for the 400f I figured first ask on this forum. I'll probably touch base with this guy next week to get a better "read" on his dislike of Avons. AND probably find someone else to change the 400f's tires.

[Bodi]

Choice in inch size tires is getting very limited.
Metric sizes are usually tubeless, not a big problem but mounting is more difficult due to the tubeless bead profile: even seating is not easy on a tube rim.
3" is a 75mm wide metric tire. Good luck finding that!
90mm is 3.5" and these are not so difficult. This will fit nicely on the front or rear. A 100mm tire will work on the rear. It was common to use the 4.10 K81 and it fits on the rear. I'm not recommending K81 tires now, the 4.10 is the only size possible for a 400 and it's too big for the front (they will go on but only deflated to pass the fender hoop bolts) plus 4.10 (actually 4.21) wide tires on the WM-1 1.6" front rim is way oversize and still over on the WM-2 1.85" rear (2.15" WM-3 rim is listed as minimum size).
In the end pretty much any new tire will be better than aged out and hardened tires.
How do you ride it? Trying to keep up with 600 sportbikes in the twisties? ... forget it and just get one of them. Aggressive riding testing the limits of the chassis and tires? you want the best tires you can find (also most expensive and shortest life).
Since you have "senior citizen" tires that aren't worn out, I think that most any tires will be fine for you. The brands you haven't heard of like Shinko, Riken, Duro, etc. are not bad tires. They tend to have bought old moulds from other companies when they discontinued these unpopular sizes. I have used the Duro Dunlop K77 clones with no problems, for example.

- don't go way oversize, check the rim compatibility for tire sizes over stock
- get tires that suit your riding style. Even "el cheapo" tires will be fine for casual riding - you will be slower at the limits but do you really want to test limits on a 45 year old bike?
- use new rim bands and tubes, try to get name brand (Pirelli, Michelin) tubes.
- rims will probably be rusty inside, clean with a wire wheel and then paint with rustoleum or similar.
- check spoke tension while the tire is off. Tap each, the ringing sound should be about the same pitch for all. Tighten thunkers if possible. A couple of thunkers is not great but probably OK, respoke the wheel if you find serious tension ineqaulities.

[Stev-o]

Avon RoadRiders/AM26s are brilliant on a 400f...

...and any other bike!   [I have them on my Z1]

I would not recommend the Duro's, just removed them from my CB450 Bomber.

I avoid Chinese tires for any vehicle like the  Plague ! Pandemic!

[Alan F.]

Which brands are made in China and sold in the States? There was Cheng Shin years ago but they haven't been sold here under that name in a long time.

Edit: Pirelli, Metzeler, Duro, Kenda just to name a few. Reading the sidewall seems to be the best way to be sure since some companies make some tires Here and others There...

[jchilper]

I learned my lesson on way oversized - just got done with putting new Michelins on the K6. The PO had installed an oversized rear tire, I had to partially remove the rear fender to get it out. I also had to bend the brake stay back to straight and managed to scratch the s#$t out of the chain cover getting that out of the way (went and had it powder coated, needed a refresh anyway). I put metric sizes on the CB550 - Dunlop D404's, nice riding tire, no problems mounting to the "stock" D.I.D. rims.

[BenelliSEI]

It’s been a while but when I put new tires on my wife’s 400F I found a set of lovely Pirelli tires that looked great and performed very well. They were correctly sized too.

I’ve recently mounted two sets of Shinkos to my own bikes. Very satisfactory as well (at great price).

[Prospect]

I like Shinko. Good performance and great price.

[Quattrocilindri]

Avon RoadRiders/AM26s are brilliant on a 400f...

...and any other bike!   [I have them on my Z1]

I would not recommend the Duro's, just removed them from my CB450 Bomber.

I avoid Chinese tires for any vehicle like the  Plague ! Pandemic![/

What I avoid like the plague are bike shops where young, snotty 20 somethings state right upfront that they have to charge premium prices if a tube replacement is required. Some won't even touch a tube! I went once to one of them to get 2 tube tires replaced, and I ended up with bent alloy rims and off-center tires. That was all it took for me to replace my own tires from that time forward. I have been changing tires at home now for over 30 years.
 As far as balancing, tires already come mostly pre-balanced, but can be easily done at home on a home-made stand and some weights.