Topic: Cannot find same brand tire tubes for front and rear!?

[Dave-and-his-550]

Call me picky, but I'm trying to find the same brand of tire tubes for front and rear. I've searched oldbikebarn.com, denniskirk.com, and motorcycle-superstore.com. All I want is a pair of Bridgestones, Metzelers, Kenda's, Michelins...

Looking for stock sizes for a '76 CB550:

Front: 100/90/19
Rear: 110/90/18

Could I maybe run a slightly different sized tube for the front? DennisKirk.com has a Metzeler tube that says for 110/90/19 AND 90/90/19 but its not for 100/90/19?? This is the one I'm talking about: Metzeler Tube (Click the Spec tab under the Time counter) Would this one work for the front?

I guess if it comes down to it, I could settle for different brand tubes. Maybe a Kenda and a Metezler.

[grumburg]

Dunlop k81s were a period correct upgrade from the 70s and are readily available. Have put 8k miles on my 75 550 and they are probably good for 5-7K more.

[Dave-and-his-550]

Cool, I'll consider them.

Whats with the different stem types? CMV, TR-4, TR-6, TR-13? Anything significant?

So whats the typical mileage you can expect from say, the Metzeler's, or Kenda's? Anybody have experience with these other brand tubes?

[Whaleman]

WOW, I thought I was picky. Dan

[TwoTired]

So whats the typical mileage you can expect from say, the Metzeler's, or Kenda's? Anybody have experience with these other brand tubes?

There are different rubber compounds available from Metzler.  Some of the stickier tires are soft for excellent traction. other are harder for better mileage.

The road aggregate type is another factor.  Some aggregate has sharp edges for better traction.  But, they wear the tires faster.  Other aggregate uses smooth stones, which are easier on soft rubber.

It's not just the tire brand to consider, but the model of the tire within the brand.  It's always a compromise.  Soft, sticky tires usually wear faster.  Harder tires are a bit less sticky, but they wear much longer.

It's kinda like selecting the screwdriver with the correct tip for the purpose, even if the handles are the same shape and they come from the same manufacturer.

If you order the tires, you can get the proper 3.25-19 front and 4.00-18 rear from Metzler and keep the same brand front and rear.

[333]

Of the brands you have mentioned, the Metzelers are a bit better.  They are a balanced tube, and they are a mix of natural and butyl rubbers.  Continental does this too.  I'm not sure of the Bridgestone or Michelin.  I know the Kenda is not balanced and it is all butyl.  The difference in the rubbers is that butyl will leach air over time, natural rubber won't.

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Metzelers work reall well.
Lightweight and balance with little or no weight
Last one said .5 gram. Bill

[masonryman]

I just put these on my bike this summer, I'm happy with them, bought them at the local Honda dealer little pricey for a vintage looking tire. I think I had about 220 in the set, mounting them myself

Dunlop k81s were a period correct upgrade from the 70s and are readily available. Have put 8k miles on my 75 550 and they are probably good for 5-7K more.

[Dave-and-his-550]

Of the brands you have mentioned, the Metzelers are a bit better.  They are a balanced tube, and they are a mix of natural and butyl rubbers.  Continental does this too.  I'm not sure of the Bridgestone or Michelin.  I know the Kenda is not balanced and it is all butyl.  The difference in the rubbers is that butyl will leach air over time, natural rubber won't.

Hmmm. Kenda is the brand my local shop uses...$16.95 each. They leak over time huh? Well thats no good, who the hell wants that?! I guess I'll order my own tubes as well.

[eastbloc]

Of the brands you have mentioned, the Metzelers are a bit better.  They are a balanced tube, and they are a mix of natural and butyl rubbers.  Continental does this too.  I'm not sure of the Bridgestone or Michelin.  I know the Kenda is not balanced and it is all butyl.  The difference in the rubbers is that butyl will leach air over time, natural rubber won't.

Hmmm. Kenda is the brand my local shop uses...$16.95 each. They leak over time huh? Well thats no good, who the hell wants that?! I guess I'll order my own tubes as well.

I've never had a tire that didn't leak over time.  Whether it's through the rubber or through the valve, somewhere, somehow, air will escape, and you'll need to check your tire pressure and inflate it from time to time.

[KCRSXTypeS]

Here...I got same brand tubes from Dennis Kirk in stock sizes for my 500 that fit your exact dimensions.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=50XXWCIUUWNPFLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=&skuId=54143&mmy=
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=&catId=&productId=p54141&leafCatId=&mmyId=

[MJL]

So whats the typical mileage you can expect from say, the Metzeler's, or Kenda's? Anybody have experience with these other brand tubes?

There are different rubber compounds available from Metzler.  Some of the stickier tires are soft for excellent traction. other are harder for better mileage.

The road aggregate type is another factor.  Some aggregate has sharp edges for better traction.  But, they wear the tires faster.  Other aggregate uses smooth stones, which are easier on soft rubber.

Psst, this is an inner tube thread...

[Dave-and-his-550]

Here...I got same brand tubes from Dennis Kirk in stock sizes for my 500 that fit your exact dimensions.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=50XXWCIUUWNPFLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=&skuId=54143&mmy=
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=&catId=&productId=p54141&leafCatId=&mmyId=

thnx for looking. IRC huh? Those are probably cheaper (In quality) then those Kendas my local store stocked. I'm taking Stan's (333) word for it, BUTYL rubber will leach air quicker then a natural rubber compound. Going by his word on this one though, I have no experience obviously 

[MJL]

Here...I got same brand tubes from Dennis Kirk in stock sizes for my 500 that fit your exact dimensions.

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp;jsessionid=50XXWCIUUWNPFLA0WTVSM4VMDK0NCIV0?store=&skuId=54143&mmy=
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=&store=&catId=&productId=p54141&leafCatId=&mmyId=

thnx for looking. IRC huh? Those are probably cheaper (In quality) then those Kendas my local store stocked. I'm taking Stan's (333) word for it, BUTYL rubber will leach air quicker then a natural rubber compound. Going by his word on this one though, I have no experience obviously 

I believe you have it backward. Car tires are made with a butyl inner liner as it holds air better than the rubber of the tire.

[Bill Vaughan]

Another same-brand option:

Front - Continental RB2 (3.25 x 19) Stock #T290150
Rear - Continental K112 (4.00 x 18) Stock #T290157

Both available through Tires Unlimited   http://www.tiresunlimited.com/ALL%20TIRES/Continental/continental_conti_twins.htm

[Gordon]

Tubes, guys, TUBES.  Not tires.

[Dave-and-his-550]

Tubes, guys, TUBES.  Not tires.

Haha,Gordon is spot on. I'm looking for same brand tubes FOR my tires! Mainly so I can know the quality, and life expectancy of them both and replace if necessary when the time arises, when it will.

[HavocTurbo]

Usually if buying for stock size tires you can match tubes with the rims. But if you've changed the size of your tires it's good to match to the tire itself.

So what size rims and what size tires you running?

I carry michelin, irc, and house brand tubes.... I'll do my best to hook you up.

Tubes, guys, TUBES.  Not tires.

Haha,Gordon is spot on. I'm looking for same brand tubes FOR my tires! Mainly so I can know the quality, and life expectancy of them both and replace if necessary when the time arises, when it will.

[Dave-and-his-550]

Cool Havoc, I'm running stock rims with stock tire sizes:

110/90/18
100/90/19

I'd prefer Michelin's over IRC, curious what else ya got also.

[HavocTurbo]

Okie dokie here's the big ones...

Start with the rear.

110-90-18 (3.75-4.25) Commonly sized.

Michelin
4.00-4.60 / 18 - TR6 Valve - $20

IRC
3.50-4.00 / 18 - TR4 Valve - $13

House Brand
3.50-4.00 / 18 - TR4 Valve - $18

Kings
3.50-4.00 / 18 - TR4 Valve - $12

On to the front...

100/90/19 (3.25-3.50) Commonly sized.

Michelin
3.25 / 19 - TR6 Valve - $17
100-110/90 / 19 - TR4 Valve - $25
(HeavyDuty Version) - $30

IRC
3.25-4.10 / 19 - TR4 Valve - $13
100/90 / 19 - TR4 Valve - $20

House Brand
100-110/90 / 19 - TR4 Valve - $18

Kings
3.25-3.50 / 19 - TR4 Valve - $12


Shipping would be about $5 to the lower 48.

Ok so here's a shot of the valves for you. Just so you know what the differences are.



Want my $0.02?.... Sure you do.

Downside to tubes is you get what you pay for. Michelin's have a lot of tech for tubes. Double folded joints and what not. Plus a better mix of rubbers and polys.

If you don't want the price.... my house brand is the best I've found so far. I use them in dirt and adventure bikes and have yet to have spontaneous catastrophic failure. Minus the occasional nail or sharp rock.

Anything else would be a cheap fix to get you "home".


Hope this helps.

[masonryman]

I'm speachless, When bought tires the last time I just said;

 " gemme some tubes for those also"

I don't even know what brand they are. 

Mark

[Gordon]

I'm speachless, When bought tires the last time I just said;

 " gemme some tubes for those also"

I don't even know what brand they are. 

Mark

Same here.  The only time I ever had a tube fail in my 8 years of riding on tubed tires was when I ran over a nail, and I wouldn't expect any brand of tube to hold up to that.

[HavocTurbo]

Dive your bike really deep into the corner and slam on the brakes to avoid a dog.... tubes like to fail about there. 

[Gordon]

Dive your bike really deep into the corner and slam on the brakes to avoid a dog....

No thanks!

[masonryman]

Dive your bike really deep into the corner and slam on the brakes to avoid a dog.... tubes like to fail about there.  

weight back, throttle up, screw the dog. If i'm going down because of a dog I'm takin it with me