Topic: Why the hell did they use 17" rims?

[Mod Newb]

I'm trying to find new rubber for my '77 cb750k.  Let it be known that this is more of an around-town sort of bike, and not necessarily a machine that is going to be leaning over so hard that sparks fly from the pegs.  I'm going more for ratty brat-style than anything else, and I'm trying to find some vintage-looking rubber.

The problem is that "vintage" tires are turning out to be particularly difficult to find for bikes of my vintage.  The 76, 77, and 78 cb750s all had 17" rear rims.  I've looked at Firestone/Coker, Avon Safety-Mileage, Dunlop TT100, Bridgeston, and Shinko.  None of their "vintage" tires come in 17" size (at least not in 4.5" to 5.1" widths). 

The only luck I've had is Conti - TK 22/24 (link below),  and I'm wishing for something a little more retro.
(http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/motorcycle/themes/motorcycletires/classic/tk22_44/tk22_44_en.html)

Is there a store/shop/business that I should call to ask about 17" tires?

Is my only option buying a 16" rim and lacing it to my hub?

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

I searched through 118 pages posts of this forum, but couldn't find much information except that in one post Hondaman mentions a 5.10x17 Dunlop TT100.  But nothing like that is mentioned on the Dunlop website.  Tanks in advance.

[bucky katt]

just get a radial of equilavent size. and just fyi 1976k had the 18" they went to 17" on the 1976A and the 77/78 k

[Don R]

The TT is pointy on the bottom,  and more suited for leaning than heavy use. if you want a fat looking tire it aint it.

[Mod Newb]

just get a radial of equilavent size.

I'm pretty new at this stuff, and most of my very limited knowledge comes directly from this forum.  So I apologize for my complete idiocy, but I'm not sure that I know what it means to look for the equivalent size in a radial...  Could you give an example?  When I was searching I didn't limit myself to radial or bias tires.  I just looked for:

1 - something that fits a 17" rim
2 - something in the range of 4.5" (120mm) to 5.1" (130mm) wide.
3 - something vintage-y

The TT is pointy on the bottom,  and more suited for leaning than heavy use. if you want a fat looking tire it aint it.

Oh.  Is that what is meant by the "trapezoidal geometry"?  If so, then that makes sense.  Thanks for the info, Don.

[Wisconsin Jeff]

I have a K8 that I'm putting together.  I think I'm going with the Kenda K657 130/90-17.

[Old75_ratafe]

If your going for a rat look I say go for the harley drop center 16 and spoke conversion kit I see them dirt cheap on ebay all the time.

[cookindaddy]

What's a Rat look?

I just got a new Bridgestone Spitfire 130/90-17, about $100. Before that I had the Kenda and it was pretty nice as well and cheaper. Both are much like the original tires that came with the bike as far as I can tell. Both are readily available and are bias ply, not radial, like the originals. Dunlop no longer makes a bias ply of this size, I confirmed that with them directly.

[Old75_ratafe]

Kinda a primer.. sometimes rust basically a use what ya got kinda look but still a bit custom... Usually more due to odd parts.  Like a rat rod, rock a billy that sort of thing.  Do a google for rat rods and you'll get the idea.  I personally have my bike kind of somewhere between a rat and a cafe hence "ratafe"