Author Topic: Tire size  (Read 1770 times)

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Offline Dave K

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Tire size
« on: November 10, 2011, 01:39:45 PM »
I am looking to change the front rim on my '75 XL 350 to the same size rim that is on the rear. I would like to run something around a 3.50X18 on the front as the back tire will be at the original size of 4.00X18. The tires though will be street tires and not off road tires. Is this doable and correct for this rim size? I keep looking at the tire to rim charts and it seems to confuse me more than help me. Please some help!
« Last Edit: November 10, 2011, 01:41:51 PM by Dave K »

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2011, 05:16:54 PM »
I think that is possible,you just may need to adjust the ride height in the rear(if you think it's necessary) to compensate for the lower front wheel.I think Buchannons rims in California may have the right size rim to tire chart:maybe a WM2 1.85 x 18"?
I am looking to change the front rim on my '75 XL 350 to the same size rim that is on the rear. I would like to run something around a 3.50X18 on the front as the back tire will be at the original size of 4.00X18. The tires though will be street tires and not off road tires. Is this doable and correct for this rim size? I keep looking at the tire to rim charts and it seems to confuse me more than help me. Please some help!
« Last Edit: November 12, 2011, 05:19:58 PM by grcamna2 »
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Dave K

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2011, 08:02:59 PM »
grcamna2, thanks so much for the reply! I will look to their site to see what I can do.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2011, 08:26:59 PM »
I just sold one to another member from a vintage Honda rear & it was a chrome plated steel rim w/ 36 holes meant for a street style(large drum brake) hub.I think it will help when you do get in touch w/ them to have measured the height of your front hub & also the width from where the spokes mount on both sides.I hope that you will be using the stock O.E. front hub to lace up to,that way they will know what you have.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Dave K

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2011, 08:33:55 PM »
I am building or wanting to build a XL 350 into a clubman style bike like a BSA Gold Star. It has been something I wanted to do for years and finally found the bike to do it with. So, I am looking to reduce the front wheel dia. from 21" to 18". The front brake I am hoping to find a twin leading shoe from a CL or CB 450. I will possibly need the forks as well. It is winter or almost so and I needed a project to do. I have been looking all over for rims to match the current rear DID rim on the bike, at least in style. It appears as if a rear rim from an MR 175 would be a great fit as well. All this mental engineering is hard on my head!

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2011, 06:48:03 AM »
It will be good if you can measure the ride height front and rear as it sits presently,when you change the front wheel size or front end it can change the way your bike handles.The front end can come down a bit lower from stock but not too radically...it can get real twitchy going from a very stable 21" front wheel to an 18".That change alone will really quicken up your handling;it may be good to consider lowering your rear suspension(shorter shocks) to compensate for the lower front end.
I think it is a great project for you & will be a nice finished project when all complete;for some ideas for these changes take a very close look at the rare Honda model GB500.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Dave K

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2011, 07:53:13 AM »
Yes, I have looked at the GB 500 since it came out. Nice bike! One thing and it is minor to many, is the dual pipes coming out of the head. Make for a nicer bend will making them, but kind of takes away from the classic look. I had a '72 XL 250 back in the mid '70's that I just LOVED! It was a super reliable bike that I still miss. My friends, after I bought that 250, all went and bought '74&'75 XL 350's. They were just as good, but faster and more low end grunt. In time I went through the XR350R's and they have the same pipe arrangement as the GB 500. I had thought about using that motor but the pipe arrangement. The XR's were SUPER. I never had a problem with them either. Health prevents me from dirtbiking or I would still be doing that. But, I still love my motorcycles! I need to figure out how to post what is in the garage now, but this XL350 had been on my list. I have restored  mid 60'sTriumph's and the CBR, but now it is time to do something I haven't done before. Kind of build a bike, instead of restore one. The side port intake, kind of duplicates the British bikes, so that was on my list. The rest is just doing some butt scratching trying to figure out how and what parts will team up well together. Another thing , that probably sounds silly. I want to do it with all Honda parts. Other of course such things as exhaust, tires, etc. Still in my garage is a Bridgestone 175 DT, like I bought new in '69, the '73 K3 Honda 750 that I did buy new and the '81 Goldwing that I bought in '81 also. Here is a couple years ago, before health made me sell the XR and I should not have sold the CBX!

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2011, 03:34:13 PM »
You may be able to research some specs as far as tire size & frame geometry,swing arm length,etc. from bikes like the GB500...and possibly use those for ideas on your custom built XL350...I think that is a great old bike to do the "street (cafe?) mods" to.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Dave K

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2011, 04:14:20 PM »
I have researched many of the old Singles and the GB 500. Just to see what tire size they were using.  What I am looking for is the correct rim size, for the tires. I have found that the Honda MR 175 used an alloy DID rim that would take a 3.50 18 on the rear, it is an 36 spoke rim. This should mate up to the 36 spoke TLS front brake and hub from a CB 350 I am looking into to use.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Tire size
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2011, 04:34:22 PM »
 Make sure that the hub size from the rear wheel on the MR175 is a very similar height & width to the CB350 front hub...it will help w/ where the spokes match the drillings in that rim....each rim is drilled to match the corresponding hub that it mates to.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.