Anybody have experience with these type of tires, love the look, but want to see if they are at all practical. Also what sizes did people go for the fronts? The Firestone website only posts 350x18 as the narrowest tire and that may be to wide for the fronts...any advice? thanks!
Firestone vintage tires on CB360
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Roustabout
Been Around the Block
I'm pretty happy with mine after riding a season(mostly 2-up). I have one for the front that I had to exchange because of a run-out issue but haven't mounted yet. They are a bit pricey for Taiwanese stuff but they do seem to have decent grip. If I didn't absolutely need the look, I would have gone with something of better value.
Roustabout
Been Around the Block
I think stock size is 3". Measure between your forks, you will most likely have room for a 3.5(tire section width).
Wee Todd said:
What does country of manufacture have to do with anything? They are repro of an American design. They have been in use for longer then most of us have been alive. I doubt that they are any worse in the rain then a lot of modern sport bike tires and due to modern compounds, they are probably a lot better then the originals. How many people do you think have ridden on them in the wet over the decades and died?
Running no front brake is a stupid style over function. Repro tires are no where near as bad.
bobjohnson
Coast to Coast
I guarantee you that if you ran that tire and then immediately ran a modern tread pattern, youd feel the difference. Theres a reason no one uses tread patterns like that anymore (even cheap chinese tires have a better pattern). Theyre great for trailer queens and for show bikes, if youre going for that period look, but for actual riding they are infact more dangerous than a modern tire. In the dry theyd be fine im sure but in the wet youre gonna be hydroplaning over the smallest pools of water.
crazypj
Split personality, I fake being smart
Avon 'Safety Mileage' are similar but much better tyre. (they was pretty good even 35 yrs ago)
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle
You will need a wider front rim to fit them though, min size is WM3 for a 4.00" tyre (2.15"rim)
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/safety-mileage-mkii
They also give minimum rim widths (and max rim) for various sizes and expected width with recommended rim
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle
You will need a wider front rim to fit them though, min size is WM3 for a 4.00" tyre (2.15"rim)
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/safety-mileage-mkii
They also give minimum rim widths (and max rim) for various sizes and expected width with recommended rim
as you know from cycling; two mm of width makes a big difference in performance. you dont need wider tires unless if your loosing traction before pegs and things start to scrape.
wider tires will only decrease performance, and really should be pared up with wider tires (and even than you only need wider tires if its a track bike or you often drag pegs).
plus the firestones are junk.
wider tires will only decrease performance, and really should be pared up with wider tires (and even than you only need wider tires if its a track bike or you often drag pegs).
plus the firestones are junk.
