Wheel clearance/tolerance

[Sipma02]

The tire I want (and have now bought, still unmounted in case I have to return it) is pretty tight in my fork. It's a 110/80x19 Shinko 705, and will be mounted on a 19 inch wheel. It seems that lots of dual sport tires come in this size, and I'm having a hard time finding something smaller that is at the right price/tread range. (ideally 100/90x19).

There is about 1/4, maybe a 3/8 inch of room on each side of the tire in the fork. This is going on a 250cc bike, nothing crazy. I'll be doing some gravel riding, commuting to work, a bit of easy trail riding/double track, and certainly highways here and there. My question: Is that tight of clearance going to be an issue?

Thanks!

 

[irk miller]

The main issue will probably be rocks getting stuck in the tread and jamming in the small gap. I probably won't wreck you, but might take some meat.

 

[Sipma02]

Okay! That makes me feel a little better. Also talked to our local custom shop here. They didn't see any huge problems with it.

 

[Out]

I would agree with IRK. 1/4 on each side should be fine for clearance up front but those darn stones dont always sit where gravity tells them. The 705 has a pretty big sipe so it would hopefully eject or absorb a rock bigger than the gap. I like the look of those 705's. I ran a 140 shinko (712 I think) on the rear of my CB and it was under 1/16 and it was OK for the 1 season it lasted. Tires dont make it long on that bike, and that is without burnouts!

 

[Sipma02]

haha! I had read some reviews that mentioned they didn't last super long. Oh well, should be fun while they last. Thanks for the input, both of you!