Topic: Can I use modern tires?

[750K4]

I need a new set of skins for the ol' 750K4. I'd like to upgrade to a modern tire/tread design. I'm looking at Dunlop GT501's. It's a bias ply tire with a modern radial tread pattern.

Here's the link to the tires I'm considering:    http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tirecatalog_tire.asp?id=8

My question is this: Can I use a this tire (tyre?) and put a tube in it on my spoked rims? 

[Einyodeler]

As long as it`s a bias ply and not a radial , you`re good to go.

[750K4]

So there's no difference in the shape/profile of a tube-type and tubeless tire's rim?

[Jonesy]

The difference I've found with bona fide tube tires vs the tube/tubeless ones is the fit on the rim. The tube type tires are easier to mount by hand, since the bead diameter is a bit more generous since it's not relying on the fit to provide a seal for the air inside.

In theory, and tubeless tire can be run with a tube, but it will run a bit hotter than one without a tube.

[750K4]

Excellent! Thanks for the replys, guys. I've been lurking here for a few months and finally got around to posting. What a great site!
Doug

[Bob Wessner]

750K4,

I fitted tubeless tires to my K0 last winter myself. If you can, I would recommend you have someone else do them, it is a pain, if you have large hands, literally a pain. 

[TwoTired]

Modern tires with a tube are okay.  I've been doing it for years.  You do need to select a tire that will be compatible with your rim internal width, though.

Cheers,

[BobbyR]

I put a set of Battleaxes on my 78 750. They make the bike come alive. One thing I did find was that I needed to tweak the tire presssures. These new tires have more flexable sidewalls you need a couple of pounds of air more make them go from sloppy to amazing. 

[hymodyne]

I mounted modern tubless tires on my bike, and yes, it was a somewhat of a pain. I'm running tubes and so far have had no problems.

hym

[dusterdude]

I put a set of Battleaxes on my 78 750. They make the bike come alive. One thing I did find was that I needed to tweak the tire presssures. These new tires have more flexable sidewalls you need a couple of pounds of air more make them go from sloppy to amazing. 

     bobby,which battleax are you running?

[ProTeal55]

I am running Avon Venom X tires , and am more than happy with them.....

[750K4]

Anyone have size suggestions for replacing the stockers? I'm not looking to stuff as much rubber as I can under there, just similar-sized replacements. A little wider would be OK...

[Dennis]

Anyone have size suggestions for replacing the stockers? I'm not looking to stuff as much rubber as I can under there, just similar-sized replacements. A little wider would be OK...

My '75 CB750F, which should be the same sizes as your K4 originally had 3.25-19 front and 4.00-18 rear. It is difficult to make direct comparisons dimensionally between "inch" and "metric" sized tires because of different profiles.
My selections were 90/90-19 front, 120/90-18 rear. The front is about as close as you will find dimensionaly to the original, the rear is a little larger. Part of the selection process was evaluating the tire manufacturers specifications on acceptable rim widths. One of my criteria for the front was not to exceed the OD of the original tire (which I could only guess at by measuring the original tire which was still on the bike).
The bike handles nicely and "turns in" very well.
You will find that most people on this forum tend to use the 100/90-19 size for the front tire. There is a wider selection of tires in that size. The 110/90-19 is generally considered to be too wide (it is certainly too wide for the stock rim) and supposedly results in slow handling. I have not tried this myself, so I cannot say from personal experience.
Selections of rear tires vary considerably.

[750K4]

I was actually looking at 100/90-19 for the front and 120/90-18 for the rear. Sounds like they will fit fine. I guess I was concerned they'd interfere with the fenders, brajes, etc.
Thanks everyone.
Doug

[Dennis]

I was actually looking at 100/90-19 for the front and 120/90-18 for the rear. Sounds like they will fit fine. I guess I was concerned they'd interfere with the fenders, brajes, etc.
Thanks everyone.
Doug

You will be fine with that.
But why didn't you just say what sizes you wanted up front? You would have saved me a lot of typing, and I HATE to type!!!!

[Uncle Ernie]

My experience; the closer you keep to the original size, the better it will handle in turns.

[dpen]

I put a set of Battleaxes on my 78 750. They make the bike come alive. One thing I did find was that I needed to tweak the tire presssures. These new tires have more flexable sidewalls you need a couple of pounds of air more make them go from sloppy to amazing. 

I've run Battleaxes on all my bikes for a lot of years.

Reasonable cost, good mileage & they stick like s#it to a shiny shovel.

As BobbyR siad, a bit more air pressure is needed - I run just over 36 psi in both tyres on my K7, any less than 34 & you can feel a slight difference (for the worse)

[BobbyR]

I put a set of Battleaxes on my 78 750. They make the bike come alive. One thing I did find was that I needed to tweak the tire presssures. These new tires have more flexable sidewalls you need a couple of pounds of air more make them go from sloppy to amazing. 

     bobby,which battleax are you running?

Duster I used a bias ply sport style. I would have gone retro, but I really wanted some bite on the sidewalls. I like em, as long as I keep the pressures a bit higher than the sticker, she is very stable.

[amattel]

I am running 100/90-19 in front, 120/90- 18 rear.  Dunlop gt501 bias play....  quite sticky. and the bike handles really nice...  I ran a 110/90-18 once on the rear( a metzeler me-77..  It felt much less stable on the highway...  the 120 is great!  thought about trying a 130, but I don't want to have to modify the bike.

Adam