Re: Tim's SR500 - Nov 12 2010 - I love the smell of metal filings in the morning!
Tim,
The Dunlop K180's are DOT approved (check the Dunlop website). If there's been some sort of Gypsy switch between Dunlop and Goodyear and they've decided to drop the DOT approval well, there's going to be a lot of pissed off street riders. Talk to the tire guys again and tell them to look for a Dunlop K180, 110/80 - 19 P/N TK1801108019. There is a Harley part number for them as well, but I don't have it - you may have to take the plunge and talk to a HD dealer.
K180's are in chronically short supply. I was going to get mine when I was in the US, but my project tanked, so...
Duro has a clone of the Pirelli MT53 in 4:00 X19. DOT approved. $88.00 each on ebay plus $55.00 shipping - though the seller says he'll combine shipments so you might get the pair shipped for $75.00. The front wheel you bought from me had an MT53 on it and my spare wheel has one on it as well... my Starracer has DTII's, which are the grandfather of the K180's.
You might try Glen at FS Motorcycles to see if he can get Duros. I have no idea how they stick, but they do "look the part". They're a tall tire, though, almost 100% aspect ratio...
Believe it or not, Dunlop K70's were a popular dirt track tire in the early '70's, but it looks like the 4:00X19's have been discontinued. Unfortunate - it was a decent tire back in the day. Chen Shin or somebody was doing K70 knock-offs but I have no idea on the available sizes.
If you have to run different makes of front and back tires, don't sweat it - it was pretty common "back in the day" (think about the wheels you got from me) - maybe even today as well, just haven't been to a dirt track in years....
Keep having fun.
Regards,
Pat Cowan,
Vintage Motorcycle Fiberglass,
Pacomotorstuff