Looking for good looking vintage style tires

M

maddog5150

Been Around the Block
I've tried searching around here and the net and havent come up with good info so pardon me if this has been beaten to death. The bike I just picked up is in dire need of some tires and I would like a vintage look. I like the Firestone Vintage but I've read that they arent very safe. What company offers a safe, well performing tire with a vintage look?
 
Another vote for K-70's...reasonably priced, good predictible handling, and yes, they just look right on older bikes..
 
It's a 76 cb750
I just did some research and I guess people changed them to 16 inchers back in the day for easier tire availability. It sucks because it doesn't look good on the bike to have a thick tire. I pm'd another member tho who is selling a rear wheel and if he has it and its the original size of 18, I'll buy it. either way, in the long run I will want the bigger rim so I will have to keep my eye open for a deal. I'm patient as I can't have my bike where I'm at so its stored at my home an hour away and won't be able to really ride for a month or two. Hopefully I can find an original style rim by then. If not, ill just go for the cheapest rear tire I can find until I'm able to do so.
 
That's what the PO did on my CB550...installed a 16" rear wheel...looked awful, compared with the 19" front wheel, handled badly with the modern tire that was on it, and also, made the bike even shorter than it already was, so I felt like I was riding on a mini-bike...got rid of that rear wheel/tire just as fast as I could and installed a "correct" rear wheel, and..Dunlop K-70's!
 
With how affordable the K70's are you could probably find a used cb 18" rear wheel, buy the tires and still save $$$ compared to buying some other "vintage" tires....
 
Roger that evolution. I was thinking the same thing but so far on egay I've only seen 16" that are deals. I just started looking and am already making headway. I'm new here also so I'm sure I will find good used stuff and good advice for a steal :D
 
Cross reference the part number of your rear hub. I'd be amazed if they only used it on the 750.......then search ebay for other complete rear wheels that will fit
 
Thanks for the idea BigRich! When my service manual comes in I'll definately do that and cross reference the numbers.
 
next question and pardon my ignorance if the answer is simple.
Can I buy just an 18" rim and spoke kit and relace my hub to them?
 
As long as the 18" hoop has the same spoke count, then it shouldn't be too much of a problem.
 
And...showing my age here, but the K-70's were "adventure touring" tires long before the word was coined by marketers.

I've taken some long trips on very mixed terrain on K-70's. The K-70 is capable of going off on gravel or dirt roads that has the radial, tubeless, multi-density-compound pure-street tires on my newer bike crying like a little baby...even a little wet grass can confound a new street tyre...HA!...I spelled it "tyre" by mistake...I've been reading too many British bike magazines

K-70's on my XS...
 

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Avon Speedmaster and Safety Mileage.

http://www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/Tyres/Avon-Tyre.html?TryeID=163
http://www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/Tyres/Avon-Tyre.html?TryeID=169
 
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