Topic: MOUNTING DURO TIRES. (See Page 2).

[BenelliSEI]

SCI Consolidated lists this set of DURO Tires for SOHC Honda cb750. Anybody ever tried a set? They sure look a lot like the originals!

[Bodi]

My CB77 uses fairly rare (now) tire sizes. I found a Duro at a CVMG rally in the right size. I don't ride the hell out of it nowadays but the tire has been good. No complaints.

[RAFster122s]

From what I read when looking at various tire brands the Duro don’t have long life but they have decent wet and dry grip that is consistent during their life. Any grooved pavement the front is likely to squirm and tram line with the grooves.

[Mark1976]

   I've mounted several of these recently (over the past year) and many over the years, the quality of the fit of the tire has deteriorated drastically. You used to be able to slip these right on and poof, off ya go. Over the last year or so, of the ones I've fitted on a variety of rim types, I was disappointed by the difficulty of getting them to seat properly, especially the fronts and especially on an alloy rim. Once seated they're fine, not a particularly outstanding tire, just a tire. But they are the correct size and profile as the originals, and that's the reason I buy them. When they fit and seat, I'm good, but when they don't, what a pain in the ass...

[Don R]

 I put a set on a 750, I forget which bike, it was a few years ago and I think I mounted them at home, no big deal. They do look right, and I knew at the time they would dry rot before I wore them out, just because of having too many bikes and it is way down on my list to get on it and ride it. 

[BenelliSEI]

I put a set on a 750, I forget which bike, it was a few years ago and I think I mounted them at home, no big deal. They do look right, and I knew at the time they would dry rot before I wore them out, just because of having too many bikes and it is way down on my list to get on it and ride it.

I agree they do look right and for US$160 for the pair!

[lash]

I’ve been using them for at least the last five years and they seem to be just fine. I was using Continentals and found that the Duros lasted more than twice as long at a third of the price.

[seanbarney41]

They are super cheap, lots of vintage sizes and tread patterns, super soft, grippy rubber...they do not last long

Actually think they are the only company to offer certain sizes for small vintage bikes...

[BenelliSEI]

I’ve been using them for at least the last five years and they seem to be just fine. I was using Continentals and found that the Duros lasted more than twice as long at a third of the price.

Thanks. I’ve been using Kendas on all the “riders”. Noticed the ones on the K1 are almost 10 years old! Will try these next.

[MauiK3]

They look to have pretty large spaces between the treads, maybe shed water well?

[BenelliSEI]

Just went through my K1 notes. I replaced the front tire in 2013 and no record of doing the rear! I think I’ll try a set of these very soon.

[Stev-o]

My CB450 Bomber had [old] Duro's on it when I bought it.  The bike did not ride smooth, front end seemed to want to bounce.  I replaced them with IRC's and made a world of difference on that bike.  No more Duro's for me.

[BenelliSEI]

I’ve been using them for at least the last five years and they seem to be just fine. I was using Continentals and found that the Duros lasted more than twice as long at a third of the price.

The weather was nice enough to open the shop doors and run my bikes. Confirmed today: the Kenda tires on my cb750K1 are 14/12 years old! Ordered a set of these DUROs, complete with tubes and rim tapes. Less than Cdn.$230 with free shipping seems very fair!

[Mark1976]

I’ve been using them for at least the last five years and they seem to be just fine. I was using Continentals and found that the Duros lasted more than twice as long at a third of the price.

The weather was nice enough to open the shop doors and run my bikes. Confirmed today: the Kenda tires on my cb750K1 are 14/12 years old! Ordered a set of these DUROs, complete with tubes and rim tapes. Less than Cdn.$230 with free shipping seems very fair!

   Did the same thing myself, took the almost completed 400f and the fz out for a couple few miles just because.
   You can't beat the price of the duros especially considering that they come in the correct "old" sizes. But recently I've had issues with some of them, observation/complaint, call it what ya want. I wouldn't call them great, but its not like you're doing anything too crazy with them either, I mean we're riding 50yr (or near 50) old bikes... I'll still by them, but not as a primary choice.

[Scott S]

 I've had mixed luck. This was on a CL350 Scrambler. It was 100% the tire and not the rim.
 I had the same issue with an Avon Frontrunner, too.

[BenelliSEI]

I've had mixed luck. This was on a CL350 Scrambler. It was 100% the tire and not the rim.
 I had the same issue with an Avon Frontrunner, too.

Mark….. Appreciate your comments.
Scott……. That looks pretty bad! I mount and balance my own tires. I’ll check the rims first and then do the same test for the mounted tires. If they show that much “bounce” I’ll be sending them back. Thanks.

[Mark1976]

I've had mixed luck. This was on a CL350 Scrambler. It was 100% the tire and not the rim.
 I had the same issue with an Avon Frontrunner, too.

Mark….. Appreciate your comments.
Scott……. That looks pretty bad! I mount and balance my own tires. I’ll check the rims first and then do the same test for the mounted tires. If they show that much “bounce” I’ll be sending them back. Thanks.

   Not at all uncommon, especially in regards to fronts...

[Stev-o]

I've had mixed luck. This was on a CL350 Scrambler. It was 100% the tire and not the rim.
 I had the same issue with an Avon Frontrunner, too.

Mark….. Appreciate your comments.
Scott……. That looks pretty bad! I mount and balance my own tires. I’ll check the rims first and then do the same test for the mounted tires. If they show that much “bounce” I’ll be sending them back. Thanks.

   Not at all uncommon, especially in regards to fronts...

I never did measure mine but bet it was worse than that.

[Mark1976]

I've had mixed luck. This was on a CL350 Scrambler. It was 100% the tire and not the rim.
 I had the same issue with an Avon Frontrunner, too.

Mark….. Appreciate your comments.
Scott……. That looks pretty bad! I mount and balance my own tires. I’ll check the rims first and then do the same test for the mounted tires. If they show that much “bounce” I’ll be sending them back. Thanks.

   Not at all uncommon, especially in regards to fronts...

I never did measure mine but bet it was worse than that.

   Personally, my experience only, is that its more common than most realize, especially when buying online. Discount online sellers do not always get the best that any particular manufacturer has to offer. Your getting an acceptable product but not the ones that their preferred distributors and retailers would sell. That's not to say they're defective, just that you will get minor but acceptable imperfections (some purely cosmetic, some not), that the "do it yourself guy" might not even know to look for. As opposed to a dealer or distributor who mounts it, discovers the issue and then sends it back or gets a credit for it rather than upsetting the customer and then ruining their reputation and ineffect, their livelihood. Defects in tires have always existed, even the expensive name brand tires suffer it. If the price of it looks to good to be true, it usually is. First thing that comes to mind when thinking about this type of issue is, 4into1. Just my experience.

[newday777]

^^^^^
Exactly.
Back in the70s I would buy 'Blems' for my winter car/truck to save $$$

[BenelliSEI]

SCI has a pretty good reputation. If they’re not “round” they’ll get them back….. Will report.

[Scott S]

 I've had a couple of tires (various brands) that were a booger to seat, even by an experienced shop. They were able to eventually get them right.
 But, the Duro in that video and three(!) Avon Front Runners were a lost cause.

[CycleRanger]

I recently fitted a pair of Duros on my CL350. No fitment issues.
I've only put a couple of miles on them so far, we'll see how long they last.

[BenelliSEI]

Wow…. I ordered tires, rim tapes and tubes yesterday afternoon. They arrived in less than 24 hours!

[grcamna2]

I find the vintage rims have quite a bit of rust built-up in the edges of the inside of the steel rims.
I use a large flat blade and chip all that stuff off,then a nice big wire brush to smooth it clean.
I take my time cleaning the full inside of the areas where the tire seats against to insure that isn't an issue.
I also use a designated tire bead lube;I buy it from the auto parts places.
The tire should seat well with this care,if that 'rubber donut' is worth anything.