Topic: SL350 K0 tyre choices

[the-chauffeur]

I'm now getting to the stage where I need to find some tyres to go on my '350 rebuild, but I'm struggling with the wheel sizes and the lack of modern rubber/equivalents.  The old ones had to go - as far as I could tell, they were originals and hadn't moved for lots of years. Best described as squared off and cracked.

Firstly, am I right in thinking that if I can't find a 19"x3.25" front and a matching 18"x4" rear, I could try looking for a 19"x100 and an 18"x120 (at a pinch)?  Given the high mudguard clearance, tyre height(?) isn't really that much of an issue.

Secondly, any recommendations from anyone in a similar position? Looks to me like lots of manufacturers supply 19"x3.25" (or metric equivalent), but only as a rear.  Finding the same as a front is not easy. Ideally, I'd like a dual purpose-type matched pair, but I'm getting the impression from my research that I'm probably going to have very limited choices and will just have to put up with what I can find.  And since I'm in the UK it seems my those choices are more limited than for those of you across the pond.  Dunlop K70's seem to be about the only matched pairs I can find right now, but the lack of overall options leads me onto another question . . .

 . . . now I know this is gonna sound stupid, but bear with me . . . what are the downsides to fiting a tyre intended for rear wheel usage to the front?  There's a wide range of 3.25 x 19" tyres advertised for the rear, but very few for the front, whereas the 19" K70 blurb says it can be used front or back.  So how does that work, and is there any reason why it can't work with others?  Granted the ride quality might suffer a little, but what other problems would there be?

Cheers.

Neil

[bill440cars]

  First let me apologize for not being able to just give you the info you seek. I hadn't read through your post yet. I am in a bit of a rush at the moment but IF you will check over at the SL350 forum with the link I will post here, I feel like you will more easily get the info you need. I'll be back to see how it went for you too.

                 http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/hondasl350/

[Frankenkit]

Hey mate, are you looking for mud tires or street tires?  If street, the Avon roadriders come in a lot of different sizes and aren't terribly painful on the wallet (they're a favorite around here for the older Cls, CBtwins, etc)  They're what I got for my CL350 project.

if you're looking for mud knobbies, I think Kenda (?) might have some offerings? I didn't pay too much attention to the knobbies, though, I'm afraid.

[mcpuffett]

Neil, i'm running Dunlop k70's front & rear on my 76 F1 no issues great in the wet & dry, i'll find some photos if it helps , cheers Mick.

[mcpuffett]

Here you go hope this helps.

[the-chauffeur]

Thanks all.

Bill - already on the Yahoo! group and have had a couple of useful pointers, but thought I'd try casting the net a bit wider.  Knowledge on the K0's seems a bit thin generally, and most of the members are US-based (I guess they are here, too, but guess it's worth a shot).

Kit - yeah, I was kinda lookin' for a knobbly dual purpose . . . on and off-road (like that's gonna happen) more for looks than practicality.  Kenda don't do the sizes I need - or at least, they might, but I'm back to the question about using a rear on the front.  I've also got a lead on some Czech outfit called Mitas that seem to make some odd sizes, but it looks like the front/rear conundrum also applies there.

Mick - thanks for the pictures.  It's looking more and more like I may end up with K70's, simply because they're the only matching combination.

The hunt goes on . . .

[vern401]

The SL350 is an on and off road bike.
Tires for them are hard to find. I have an SL myself and have not bought tires for it yet.
It does need them but I needed to get other parts for it first just to get it running and charging right.

now that I know I am not alone in the hunt for tires if I find some that will alow you to get the most out of your dual purpose bike I'll try to find this post and put my findings in here.

I am not a member of that forum yet but might decide to in the future.