Author Topic: Tire tread descriptions  (Read 997 times)

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Offline Hospitaller

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Tire tread descriptions
« on: August 21, 2023, 11:38:45 AM »
I'm getting new tires for the first time since joining the forum and am puzzled by the terms I have read about tread types.  Hondaman recommends ribbed pattern over block, and recommends staying away from "sideslash" patterns.  I can figure out sideslash based on the context of the post.  What patterns are ribbed vs block?   Also what is a "TT" tire?  Tube tire perhaps?  Google was little help since it pointed to both ribs and blocks on the same tire and the tread described was very similar in appearance.  Also the search turned up lots of posts about tire condition and size but after pages of posts, nothing about tread pattern that I saw. Any and all help would be amazing since I'm putting off ordering my tires until I have some better idea what I am ordering and the current tires that lasted me 5 years or so have been discontinued I think.
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. -Will Rogers
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Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2023, 12:14:33 PM »
from vintage times and definitions.

this is a an original front "ribbed" tire and a rear "block" tread pattern on a '75 550

Offline Tracksnblades1

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2023, 12:31:41 PM »
from vintage times and definitions.

this is a an original front "ribbed" tire and a rear "block" tread pattern on a '75 550

Geez dude that front tire almost succeeded in scheduling me an appointment with our lord.

If the spirit hadn’t “taken the wheel (handle bars)” it would’ve been bad…

Surely there’s a better option for similar rake angles than that POS, it won’t even make an emergency stop without locking up even with the single disc antiquated brakes.. and in rain better stay home…
Age Quod Agis

Online newday777

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2023, 12:41:18 PM »
Welcome aboard the forum Hospitaller from southern NH.

I've always thought of the block tread being like this one I just removed from a K4, I put a Bridgestone BT46 on to replace it.

TT might refer to the old school term for TT racing, on/off road racing??
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline Tracksnblades1

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2023, 12:45:41 PM »
I'm getting new tires for the first time since joining the forum and am puzzled by the terms I have read about tread types.  Hondaman recommends ribbed pattern over block, and recommends staying away from "sideslash" patterns.  I can figure out sideslash based on the context of the post.  What patterns are ribbed vs block?   Also what is a "TT" tire?  Tube tire perhaps?  Google was little help since it pointed to both ribs and blocks on the same tire and the tread described was very similar in appearance.  Also the search turned up lots of posts about tire condition and size but after pages of posts, nothing about tread pattern that I saw. Any and all help would be amazing since I'm putting off ordering my tires until I have some better idea what I am ordering and the current tires that lasted me 5 years or so have been discontinued I think.

Tell us more…

What are you ridding?

Are you touring, sport touring, or dragging your knees…?

FWIW, I like Michelins, Metzelers, Dunlops, Continentals, Brigstones, Avons…..
There’s a lot of good tools out there. Just have to buy the ones for your job….
You’ll be amazed at what tire technology can do.. your front brake will be inadequate….
Age Quod Agis

Offline jlh3rd

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2023, 12:50:06 PM »
from vintage times and definitions.

this is a an original front "ribbed" tire and a rear "block" tread pattern on a '75 550

Geez dude that front tire almost succeeded in scheduling me an appointment with our lord.

If the spirit hadn’t “taken the wheel (handle bars)” it would’ve been bad…

Surely there’s a better option for similar rake angles than that POS, it won’t even make an emergency stop without locking up even with the single disc antiquated brakes.. and in rain better stay home…

this bike isn't ridden.....it wasn't a recommendation for that tire, just an example for someone looking for definitions
« Last Edit: August 21, 2023, 12:52:07 PM by jlh3rd »

Online newday777

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2023, 12:51:05 PM »
from vintage times and definitions.

this is a an original front "ribbed" tire and a rear "block" tread pattern on a '75 550

Geez dude that front tire almost succeeded in scheduling me an appointment with our lord.

If the spirit hadn’t “taken the wheel (handle bars)” it would’ve been bad…

Surely there’s a better option for similar rake angles than that POS, it won’t even make an emergency stop without locking up even with the single disc antiquated brakes.. and in rain better stay home…
Then here's a good one for ya!
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline Kelly E

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2023, 12:51:41 PM »
What is the reason for staying away from the slash style tires? They shed water really well. Rib style tread tends to follow road grooving. Block style tread works good on loose surfaces and rough roads. We've got bikes with Avon, Dunlop, Metzler and Michelin tires and they all work well.
Tires are a personal choice depending on what, where and how you ride. There's tires that one guy loves but the next guy absolutely hates. These brands are not trying to kill you despite what some people say. I stay away from cheap tires, it's a dumb place to try and save money because it's the only thing connecting you to the road. Back in the 80's tires cost almost as much and only lasted about 3k miles. It was easy to use up two sets in a summer. Now tires last 3 times as long. 8)
Never Give Up - Never Surrender

The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0                                            1971 MGB/GT
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport                          1972 MGB/GT
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD                                   1985 GMC S15
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1982 Honda CB 900F Super Sport
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda VF 700S Sabre
1984 Honda VF 1000F Interceptor
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000 Le Mans
1994 Kawasaki Concours ZG 1000A9
2005 Harley Davidson Fat Boy

Offline Tracksnblades1

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2023, 01:02:12 PM »
What is the reason for staying away from the slash style tires? They shed water really well. Rib style tread tends to follow road grooving. Block style tread works good on loose surfaces and rough roads. We've got bikes with Avon, Dunlop, Metzler and Michelin tires and they all work well.
Tires are a personal choice depending on what, where and how you ride. There's tires that one guy loves but the next guy absolutely hates. These brands are not trying to kill you despite what some people say. I stay away from cheap tires, it's a dumb place to try and save money because it's the only thing connecting you to the road. Back in the 80's tires cost almost as much and only lasted about 3k miles. It was easy to use up two sets in a summer. Now tires last 3 times as long. 8)

+1 indeed…
Age Quod Agis

Offline bryanj

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2023, 05:05:32 PM »
TT 100 was a Dunlop tyre that handled well but wore out quick
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

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Offline grcamna2

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2023, 05:16:00 PM »
Could the letters "TT tire" be used for 'Tube type' ??
The tube type tires have less reinforced beads and sidewalls and are also more pliable and comfortable compared to using tubeless tires on spoke style wheels.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline spotty

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2023, 05:55:36 PM »
i blame Terry

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2023, 06:14:04 PM »
The TT100 series tires were made in a trigonometric profile, i.e., a "V" shape to the tread. They stood taller than the OEM versions and were numbered differently: the standard TT100 front tire for the CB750 was 4.10x19, replacing the regular 3.25x19 round style cross-section. But, those tires haven't been made since 1996. They had incredible grip: I ran dual discs with mine for 48k miles before dry rot finally took it out in 1980. It still had good tread left, too! These were roadrace quality grip, and the rear tire came as the 5.10x18 to replace the 4.0x18 back there. These raised the bike about 3/4" over the regular Bridgestone tires these bikes originally shipped with (as if the bike wasn't tall enough?) and helped improve ground clearance when dragging boots.

"Ribbed" tires refer to the longitudinal shape of the tread, which is long, thin 'ribs' that run circumferentially around the tire. These ribs enhance straight-ahead stability at speed, but make the steering 'feel' a little heavier when cross-steering to enter a turn.

"Block" style is any tread pattern that cuts across the body of the tread at 70-90 degrees of angle (diamond patterns are the limit of "block" style).

The siping-style treads (i.e. slashes toward the sides) we see so much of today are made for moving water away from the contact patch, letting it escape sideways out from under the contact patch area. I have NO idea what to call them,..and they don't hold the pavement like a TT100, either.
;)

For general-purpose commuting and touring use, block-style rear carries heavier payloads better than non-blocked patterns and provides stability with heavy loads. Block-style front tires can induce steering head wobble (called "fanning the stops" back when) as the tread wears itself into sharp raised edges on the blocks. Bad idea for any front tire, and famous for making old British bikes hard to run on curvy roads. Rib patterns do the opposite here.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2023, 06:48:18 AM »
If you are buying a new tire that states TT, I would expect it to be tube type tire, as opposed to tubeless.  The difference there would be the bead seat area of the tire to the rim.  The tubeless design has a seat that forms onto a tubeless designed rim so that it locks in place and doesn’t dislodge in the event of air loss.  A tube type tire will not have that bead lock feature and relies on air tube pressure to keep the tire bead in place on the rim.  I don’t think any of our SOHC4s came with bead lock rims.  But, if your rim is stamped “tubeless” than it will have a bead lock feature and can be run without a tube.

Now if you’ve found a tire that states both TT and tubeless, I wouldn’t know what think about the tire without a note from the manufacturer, which is generally more reliable than any social media posting.
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline Hospitaller

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2023, 01:26:57 PM »
Thank you all for the quick responses.  I'll get me some tires ordered pretty quick since I understand better now what was meant.  I was running some Shinko tires for a while and they never did me wrong.  Wore out quick, one season for the rear two for the front.  Upgraded to Bridgestone Spitfires which lasted 6 or so years now.  Cant find any more in the correct sizes.  I use the bike for commuting year round, here in northern UT.  If there isn't snow on the road or threat of ice I ride.  Go on cruises with my cousin and some friends on some weekends.  750K4 with 41K miles on her now.  Bought from the original owner with 13k miles just about 10 years ago. All this is supposed to be in the introduce yourself section so I better stop procrastinating doing that.  Thank you all again.
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. -Will Rogers
1974 CB750K4

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #15 on: August 22, 2023, 03:17:16 PM »
Upgraded to Bridgestone Spitfires which lasted 6 or so years now. 

I've had Spitfires on a 550, good tire. I run the Bridgestone BT46 on my K4, I think you would like them.
They even have them in "inch size" [4.00x18] if you prefer that over 120/90-18...

https://www.chapmoto.com/bridgestone-battlax-bt46-rear-tire.html?sku=330-11642&gclid=Cj0KCQjwuZGnBhD1ARIsACxbAViRlnY60XPWrexe2dzv1pl8pF_ohaz9XvmSmN64WJoRVRB1Tr5ADW4aAjTVEALw_wcB
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #16 on: August 22, 2023, 04:41:50 PM »
Wasn't the COMSTAR wheels on the 750F2/3 the first of Honda's tubeless type rims?

I've always wanted a set of Lesters, never could get them...today they would be good, indeed, with most of the tires we now have.
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #17 on: August 22, 2023, 06:59:17 PM »
The comstars on my f3 are not designed properly for running tubeless.  Some lesters are, some are not, probably depending on when they were made.  I have a pair of wide lesters on a recent build that are good for tubeless.  The wacky part is the front and back have different size valve stem holes.  Some of these valve stems can be tricky to find, especially in a timely fashion.  The shop that mounts my tires, which specializes in vintage bikes, said they have seen at least 3 different sized valve stem holes in tubeless Lesters.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #18 on: August 22, 2023, 08:28:43 PM »
The comstars on my f3 are not designed properly for running tubeless.  Some lesters are, some are not, probably depending on when they were made.  I have a pair of wide lesters on a recent build that are good for tubeless.  The wacky part is the front and back have different size valve stem holes.  Some of these valve stems can be tricky to find, especially in a timely fashion.  The shop that mounts my tires, which specializes in vintage bikes, said they have seen at least 3 different sized valve stem holes in tubeless Lesters.

Wow, that's spooky!
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
Hondaman's creed: "Bikers are family. Treat them accordingly."

Link to Hondaman Ignition: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67543.0

Link to My CB750 Book: https://www.lulu.com/search?adult_audience_rating=00&page=1&pageSize=10&q=my+cb750+book

Link to website: www.SOHC4shop.com

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #19 on: August 22, 2023, 10:05:13 PM »
The only comstars that have a tubeless rim lock “shelf”  are the ones that are stamped tubeless.  The rest are tubetype.
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline BenelliSEI

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #20 on: August 23, 2023, 05:33:52 AM »
I have a set of Lesters on my K4. Neither of them had ever been used, when I picked them up twenty years ago. They had such an odd size valve stem hole that I opened them up a bit and used a ‘bolt in” style (we were using them on our race cars at the time).

Those wheels have had 3-4 sets of tubless tires on them and always been great.

Offline Hospitaller

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #21 on: August 23, 2023, 10:45:26 AM »
Tires are ordered.  New thing that is related.  Thoughts on balancing beads?  They are not generally used in automotive which is where all my experience is.  I will check my rim is straight and balance the assemblies when I install the tires.
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. -Will Rogers
1974 CB750K4

Offline Stev-o

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #22 on: August 23, 2023, 11:01:47 AM »
Tires are ordered.    Thoughts on balancing beads? 

What tires did you order?   

I would not use balancing beads, seems like a gimmick product to me, not needed.
'74 "Big Bang" Honda 750K [836].....'76 Honda 550F.....K3 Park Racer!......and a Bomber!............plus plus plus.........

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #23 on: August 23, 2023, 01:18:45 PM »
The only comstars that have a tubeless rim lock “shelf”  are the ones that are stamped tubeless.  The rest are tubetype.

A a true 'safe' rim meant for tubeless tires.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Hospitaller

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Re: Tire tread descriptions
« Reply #24 on: August 24, 2023, 09:55:42 AM »
What tires did you order?   
A pair of Bridgestone Battlax BT46.  The price was right and they appear similar to the old Bridgestone I have on the rear.  Hopefully I get the kind of wear out of them I did the old one.  It is 5 years old and not even kind of down to the indicators after, i think 20k miles?
Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock. -Will Rogers
1974 CB750K4