Topic: Proper tire size thoughts for new DID rims

[Flyin900]

Like the topic suggests I am presently restoring a 1972 CB350F and I am doing a high level restoration and would like to use a vintage tire setup if possible. That limits the sizes available right away. Some are down right ugly and really old school in their design, so they are out too.

I have used the newly designed Avon Roadrider MK2 on a recent rebuild and they do offer a variety of flexible tire sizes with options for both front or rear mounting use with many sizes. The tread pattern is very modern unfortunately, so they will be my plan B if nothing else surfaces.

Rims are new DID 1:60 X 18" for the front and a 1:85 X 18" rear rim to work with for new tires. These are the correct sized Honda rims used originally on the bike.

Metzler has a tire called a Block C style Vintage tire set for front or rear with a decent look and a few sizes available. The smallest front maybe a little large since the smallest size is a 3:25 X 18" and I think a 3:00 X 18" would be a better fit. The rear size is a 3:50 X 18" tire and that seems to be acceptable on the 1:85 width rear rim.

So thoughts on the 3:25 X 18" front on a 1:60 X 18 rim?

[Quattrocilindri]

These are what I put on mine, and they seem to be pretty good in everyday performance:
Front:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031BDDZY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Rear:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0031B7SJ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Kevin]

I can not give advice on whether the wider tire will fit your rim, but I can tell you that the wider front tire will make the bike feel heavier in the turns and not nearly as nimble. I have a couple 400F's and I prefer the handling of the bike with the skinnier front tire.
Just my two cents worth, and worth every penny.


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[Flyin900]

Kevin what tires are you running size wise on the CB400F’s since you have a large collection of them. Do they also run the same rim widths as the CB 350F’s?

The Duro’s also do look like an option with a classic pattern, so a consideration with the correct sizing.

[flatlander]

i went through this type of question for my 550. here's a whole lot of info and discussion that may help:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,185154.0.html

[Flyin900]

Yes I replied to to that thread as I have a 1978 CB550K and I used the new Avon Roadrider MK2 tires noted in my start of this post after talking to Avon in England. They will be my second choice if no one has another option.

[flatlander]

i meant for the matching of tire size and rim size. there are a few charts that give you an indication of how they'll fit together.
3.25 on a 1.6 rim may be a bit too wide, according to those.

[Alan F.]

Here's the chart I've always seen, it indicates 3.10" down to 2.25" would be applicable for a 1.6" (WM1) width rim.

Best performance would come from a tire right in the middle of the recommended range.

I recommend www.treatland.tv for browsing narrow tires for smaller bore bikes and mopeds. Verify load capacity is appropriate for any tire you like there as some tires they have are more for bikes than mopeds.

[Flyin900]

Thanks everyone as I did see those charts and feel the 3:25 size is too large for the 1:60 rim width and just wanted a second opinion on the matter.
I will not be riding the bike, yet want it roadworthy and safe if I decide to sell it in the future.

Cheers

[MauiK3]

I bought Duro tires for my 1973 Z1 project. They are very similar to Continental vintage tires, almost exact. I'm not on the road yet but they may be a good choice for you too if they have the right size.

[Stev-o]

I bought a '67 CB450 last year that needed tires desperately [had very old Duro's].  The 18" front was hard to find in many models of tires, I ended up going with IRC and very happy with them. They are made in Japan and reasonably priced...


https://www.amazon.com/IRC-GS11-3-00S18-Front-101954/dp/B002VVLN48

Also have them on my 550F, different size of course. Very good budget tire.

[PeWe]

Match tire vs rim a good idea. Back in the 80's, as wide tire as possible was the good look.
Got it proven what I had read on various forums for old bikes 30 years later that recommended stock tire size on stock rims get best handling and tire life.

Too wide rear tire flatten out and cause bad handling very early.
Wider tire means wider rim.

That chart is a very good guide.

[Don R]

 I looked for 3.00 x 19 tires and didn't find much either. 

[Kevin]

Kevin what tires are you running size wise on the CB400F’s since you have a large collection of them. Do they also run the same rim widths as the CB 350F’s?

The Duro’s also do look like an option with a classic pattern, so a consideration with the correct sizing.

Sorry about the slow reply.
I'm about 7,000 miles away from my bikes right now.
I do not know the exact sizes of the tires, but I do know that they are slighly wider than the originals.
I have a few 400's with the original size tires too, and they seem to handle much better than the slightly larger tires.

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[Alan F.]

I just put 3.00 x 19 tires motorcycle in the Google search box and came up with plenty of tires that were in stock ready to ship.

[Flyin900]

Unfortunately Alan and Don both rims are 18" with the front a 1:60 width rim, so not as common it appears. I am also in Canada which is a smaller market and less choice of vendors.

I have a couple of ideas and can choose some cheaper Duro's that are made in a correct size, or a better quality Avon Roadrider MK2 which is not a Vintage tire profile and tread, yet proper sizing.

Work in progress, as I am still restoring the bike and thinking ahead for the replacement rubber. Interesting fact that the PO put on some cheap tires and the date codes were about 7 year old. When my tire guy removed them from the rims they came apart at the bead area in chunks, so you get what you pay for it seems.

The PO had also used some cheap Chinese chrome rims and spokes and while the chrome still looked good on the outer rim, the insides were heavily rusted and the spoke nipples were a #$@% to get apart even after a heavy soaking in Evaporust first. I destroyed a number of nipple heads and had to cut a few spokes from the nipple heads.

[Alan F.]

Have a look here: https://revco.ca/motorcycle-tires-wheels/?sort=priceasc&_bc_fsnf=1&Tire%20Size=3.00-18&Tire%20Construction=Bias

[Flyin900]

Thanks Alan. I am not familiar with this seller, yet Canadian and some good options here. I will follow up on a couple of the tires as I have used a few of the brands and models.
The Duro brand seems to have all the right sizes, yet I am leary of a $60. tire, especially after the ones already on the bike disintergrated after such a short time.

[Stev-o]

The Duro brand seems to have all the right sizes, yet I am leary of a $60. tire, especially after the ones already on the bike disintergrated after such a short time.

What tire was it that disintegrated?   My Bomber handled bad with old Duro tires, changed 'em out and it was like a new bike.

BTW - Did you see the recent thread that had a list for Canadian vendors?  It had some tire vendors. Cant seem to find it right now.

[Flyin900]

Steve, I think they were Kenda brand on there when I bought the bike. The PO had spent a large amount of money on a new reproduction exhaust and some other expensive parts, yet cut many other corners in his work.
My goal is to bring the short cuts done up to a high level restoration by replacing all the sketchy parts. I sent the gauges to Marcel at CB750 gauges in Holland for a full reface and cleaning. Typical face fading that they early gauges suffer from and detract from the overall finish of the bike when done.

[Stev-o]

Steve, I think they were Kenda brand on there when I bought the bike.

Thats another Chinese tire that I have avoided.

Edit:  Here's a link to the thread regard Canadian vendors...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,186899.msg2185050.html#new

[david 750f]

Flyin900, you should be able to get any tire you need in Canada through Pete's Superbike or Fortnine. Both places have great pricing, sometimes cheaper than the US. Fortnine has free delivery as well.

I ride on Avon Roadrider's, not a vintage pattern but an excellent tire. Ordered from Petes in standard (non-metric) sizes.

https://www.petes-superbike.com/index.php

Fortnine's 3.00-18 listing

https://fortnine.ca/en/motorcycle-tires?tire_rim_diameter%5B0%5D=1805&tire_width%5B0%5D=2233

[pekingduck]

I woul recommend staying with the original sizes.  Another brand that has tires in the proper size is Heidenau tires, made in Germany with modern compounds, but vintage tread patterns and sizes:

https://www.heidenautires.com/tires/motorcycle/vintage/

[Flyin900]

Thanks fellows, I need to learn how to use the filters better on the sites. I use either Pete's Tires or Fortnine as my regular suppliers for tires. Unfortunately many of the tires listed are out of stock presently in the sizes I need.

UPDATE:

I went with a Bridgestone front tire with a classic tread pattern model L303 and the Metzler rear tire Block C pattern again a classic tread design. Since I want the classic look these do offer that and while a brand mix not a big deal.

They are major brands, as I was skeptical about using really cheap tires. Since this is an expensive restoration, I don’t wish to cut corners here and detract from the overall finish of the bike.