Topic: Suggestions for New Tires & a Shop in Ann Arbor?

[francisew]

Hi guys,

I need a new set of tires for my bike and my wife's bike. We both have '83 CB650SC's. DOHC, I know, but pretty close to SOHC's.

The front tires should be 100/90-19 57H, the rear tires should be 130/90-16 67H. I have looked at Dunlop 404 reviews, but they seem to wear really quickly. The original tire suggestions (owner's manual) suggest either Bridgestone L303 & G508 or Dunlop F11 & K627. We're thinking about going on a long trip this summer (to California and back), so I would like to get durable tires with good traction for both wet and dry conditions.

I'm trying to find both good replacement tires and a good shop to install them. I moved to Ann Arbor, MI recently and haven't yet found a particularly good place. Nicholsons in Ann Arbor is reasonable, but based on their web site, they charge 150-200$ per tire. Yikes. I have also been to Conspiracy Cycleworks in Dexter, MI, though it's a 1/2 hour ride, so I'd like to find somewhere closer.

Any tire or mechanic suggestions?

Thanks,
Francis

[justjosh]

   i run the dunlop gt501-j aeromax's on my 750 and avons on my 350 and dunlop elite 2's on everything else. the avons are like glue but wear quickly the 501's are like stickier glue and after 1000 miles the look like i havent left the driveway. IMO the gt501-j's are the best tire ive ever riden on a vintage bike.

[Kevin D]

Francis, I dont know if you get to the "D" but if you do I get my tires here, on Eight Mile near Evergreen. They dont have a lot on the shelf but have been able to get exactly what I wanted in a day or so, Dunlop, Bridgestone, reasonable:
http://twitire.tireweb.com/Client_Site/index.html

I dont know the MC shops in AA but I'll be looking for this one next time I'm there:

Kevin Lentz Vintage Motorcycle Works
1307 Pear St
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 794-0794‎         

Hmmm.........maybe a backyard repair shop?

If you want to save a little you should change'em yourself. A cross country traveller will want to know a lot about his MC, yes?

Sonofagun,    2min 19secs with Harbor Freight tool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_J5_sRRiAk&feature=related

Ypsilanti Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/retail_stores.taf?f=detail&Retail_Store_ID=170

[francisew]

Hi Josh,

I'm strongly considering the Dunlop 404's, the gt501's also sound pretty good. I'll take a look at them before I decide.

Thanks for the feedback!

Francis

  i run the dunlop gt501-j aeromax's on my 750 and avons on my 350 and dunlop elite 2's on everything else. the avons are like glue but wear quickly the 501's are like stickier glue and after 1000 miles the look like i havent left the driveway. IMO the gt501-j's are the best tire ive ever riden on a vintage bike.

[francisew]

Hey Kevin,

A wholesaler nearby? That's fantastic. We're not in Detroit often, but that's definitely worthwhile for picking up tires! I guess they don't actually install them though... I'll give the Lentz shop a call. I'd love to do the tires myself, unfortunately we live in an apartment and don't have a garage. I think I could do this myself if I had the tire holder (I don't mind picking up a tire iron from harbor freight- but the stand looks like it's pretty big & not something I could convince my wife to keep in our office). I've changed brakes on the street (including the rear drum shoes), but it's pretty hard to manipulate the tire on the street.

Is there a simple way of holding/mounting the tire without special tools? I can't tell what the center 'rod' is through the tire, I'm assuming that's not the axle, but rather another post through the tire (I can't imagine risking bending the wheel axle to change a tire). My garage in Montreal had a tool that clamped onto the wheel (I think it was on the inside of the hub) and turned it automatically. It was a 2 minute job with no effort required... I'd love to have that tool!

Thanks,
Francis
 

Francis, I dont know if you get to the "D" but if you do I get my tires here, on Eight Mile near Evergreen. They dont have a lot on the shelf but have been able to get exactly what I wanted in a day or so, Dunlop, Bridgestone, reasonable:
http://twitire.tireweb.com/Client_Site/index.html

I dont know the MC shops in AA but I'll be looking for this one next time I'm there:

Kevin Lentz Vintage Motorcycle Works
1307 Pear St
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
(734) 794-0794‎          

Hmmm.........maybe a backyard repair shop?

If you want to save a little you should change'em yourself. A cross country traveller will want to know a lot about his MC, yes?

Sonofagun,    2min 19secs with Harbor Freight tool

Ypsilanti Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/retail_stores.taf?f=detail&Retail_Store_ID=170

[justjosh]

Hi Josh,

I'm strongly considering the Dunlop 404's, the gt501's also sound pretty good. I'll take a look at them before I decide.

Thanks for the feedback!

Francis

  i run the dunlop gt501-j aeromax's on my 750 and avons on my 350 and dunlop elite 2's on everything else. the avons are like glue but wear quickly the 501's are like stickier glue and after 1000 miles the look like i havent left the driveway. IMO the gt501-j's are the best tire ive ever riden on a vintage bike.

if you wernt so far from me id let you ride it and see. I took off dunlops k591sp andinstalled the 501's what a difference. look at the specs on the tires and youll see what made me give them a shot. Great all around tire and there warm by the time im out of the driveway. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

[Kevin D]

I had the Bridgestone S11's and got 10000 good miles out of them, last year upgraded to BT45's. I considered the GT501's but decided to stick with Bridgestone. I'll have to find my receipts but I think the BT45s were about $200.

Bridgestone S11  - value
http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Bridgestone/Bridgestone%20MC/bridgestone_spitfire_s11.htm

Bridgestone BT45 - performance
http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Bridgestone/Bridgestone%20MC/bridgestone_battlax_bt45v.htm

Dunlop D404  - value
http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Dunlop/dunlop_oe_d404.htm

Dunlop GT501 - performance
http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Dunlop/dunlop_gt501.htm