Vintage Tires

[OldSwartout]

For those of you wanting modern tires that look vintage, try searching for Heidenau tires. They are German and are starting to be imported into the US.  They have some whose performance is good enough to be used as race tires, but have a vintage look.  Check out their K34 and K44 patterns and others.  Some resemble the block patterns used on the rear of our Bridgestones when they were new.  I didn't see any ribbed fronts, though.    One of the new suppliers that advertises their vintage race tires in the AHRMA magazine is www.motorradavl.com.  However, be aware that being high performance tires that the cost is significantly more than most of the street tires we normally use, so it will be a trade-off.  Personally, I wouldn't buy them for street use because of the cost.

[scrambler]

I also carry the Heidenau tires in my shop. Pricing and info on my website. The tires listed on the other website are produced with a race compound, they also make them in a non-race compound that is MUCH more affordable.

They do have some nice tires. I received my first shipment last week. I was looking for tires to fit vintage Honda's when I came across them. They have many sizes that work well with the old sizes. Nice tread patterns also, but you are correct, nothing in a ribbed pattern.

[ztnoo]

This whole small bike/vintage tire replacement thing had me in fits for quite a while. I imagine it has others perplexed also.
Whoever the bean counter or engineering whiz that suggested small bike tires in inches sizes should henceforth cease to exist (or largely so), should be drawn and quartered.
Tire choices and options for small displacement bikes have become increasingly harder to comprehend for the average user since the application of the metric sizing system.
I need appropriate size replacements for my RD 125 Yamaha, but the more I look around the less I find.
I require 2.75 x 18 front, and 3.00 x 18 rear. There are extremely few appropriate choices in correct inch sizing and more traditional vintage tread patterns available.
These sizes were as common as dirt, and previously you could buy them from everyone wherever you were located.
Now its like the most difficult treasure hunt one could imagine to locate these sizes.
I imagine there are thousands of smaller vintage bikes out there with checked, cracked, and dry rotted tires in need of replacement, but the owners have largely throw up their hands attempting to find appropriate sizes.

I have examined several size conversion charts, but all I really come up with are approximations for the inch to metric conversions.
All these online tire retailers will be more than happy to sell you anything, but when you ask the question "Can you guarantee me this metric size will fit my bike with no clearance surprise issues?", I have not found one who will do so.
It's always the "well it should work" answer.
Once the buyer mounts those skins to a wheel, they are his, fit or no fit, be damned.

These Heidenau tires appear to be a viable option.
Kevin, how did you happen upon these and what specifically sparked your interest in selling them?
Here is I am considering:
K33    3,00 - 18 M/C 47S TT   Rear                                                           


K39     2,75 - 18 M/C 48P TT   Front


Also, I am aware of another source for Cheng Shin from VJMC http://vjmc.org/index.shtml  and VJMOG http://vjmog.com/index.php
The seller name is Bill Gray. Lives in Nashville, TN.
Here's his VJMC ad:
For Sale: Tires. For Honda CB/CL350, CA/CB/CL77, CA95, CA/CL160, CL125A, CL175, etc, Cheng Shin tire sets. I have a large supply of new Cheng Shin tire sets for 1964-73 Hondas. Specific sizes I have in ribbed tread: 3.00x16, 2.25x17, 2.50x17, 2.75x17, 2.50x18, 2.75x18, and 3.00x18. Specific sizes I have in Universal tread: 3.00x16, 3.25x16, 2.25x17, 2.75x17, 3.00x17, 2.75x18, 3.00x18, 3.50x18, 4.00x18, 3.00x19 and 3.50x19. Email me with your zip code for prices and shipping costs. I will be at Mid-Ohio if you want to save on shipping. Swap meet spot R-20.
Bill Gray, 615-941-1751
Nashville, Tennessee
whgray53@aol.com


Related thread elsewhere:
Need tires for my CL-200
http://www.vjmog.com/ftopict-6879-.html

[scrambler]

Hey ztnoo,

I was looking for tires for the Honda Superhawk and Dream. The Superhawk also takes the 2.75x18 and 3.00x18, same as your RD125. It was VERY hard to find tires of this size and when I did I figured I might as well sell them. They aren't very well known and I'm doing my best to try and change that.

The tires you are looking for are some of the tires that I initially ordered. I took some actual pictures of them.



Few more pics on my website as well.

I have bought Cheng Shin tires from Gary as well. One thing to remember is that as far as I know Cheng Shin tires have been discontinued and while these tires are much newer than what you probably had on your bike they might be 4 or more years old.

[ztnoo]

Kevin,
Thanks for the pic. I would describe the front K39 as "semi-ribbed".
Not an absolutely pure vintage look, but about as close as one is going to come with new rubber.

You are probably right about the age of Gray's tires.
The VJMOG thread suggests to always to about ask him about the date code on the tires.
That's probably a reasonable thing to do about any tire being considered for purchase.
As long as they were stored in cool, dry conditions, they might be fine.

I see you say you only accept PayPal.
Any plans to get set to offer any other payment options......cashier's check, credit card, etc.?
Other choices for buyers might well increase your business beyond what you anticipate.
Just a suggestion.

Regards,
Steve

[scrambler]

Hi Steve,

I will accept checks or money orders. Credit cards can be used even without a paypal account as I understand it. I have plans to accept credit cards direct but at this time I really don't have the need or the volume to support it. I hope that changes.

In some cases depending on what I have on hand or if I plan to stock them some tires may be drop-shipped.

If those are "fresh" Cheng Shin tires I wonder how the heck he gets them?

[old smokey]

If this works, photos of the Avon tires I bought.

[old smokey]

The front tire from Dennis Kirk, size is 3.25 x 19. Dennis Kirk part number for Avon is 64100.

[old smokey]

Rear tire from Dennis Kirk. Tire size is 3.50 x 19. His part number is 642161.

[ztnoo]

So what models of Avons are these, and what is the size of each?

[BS Mechanic]

Thanks for the good info and pic's of tire options! 

What's the consensus on rear tire size?  Are those who have gone with 3.50-19 for the rear happy with the end result? 

I put on a 4.00-19 on the back once since that's all the dealer had at the time, thouht it might look cool.  I traded back to a 3.25 in just a couple of days, after tearing up the brake light wiring, and feeling like I was riding down hill all the time!  Amazing how much difference it made on the bike.

[old smokey]

I will edit my above posts and put the tire info with the respective photos.
It will be a bit before I get them installed. I'm waiting for warmer weather to clean 30 years of grease and grime off the rims.
I hated the small look of the old 3.25 x 19 Cheng Shins on the rear I installed when I first got the bike.

[ztnoo]

Just to make everyone aware...if you are not...and because maybe Kevin isn't intentionally trying to promote himself, I thought I'd offer the link to the Heidenau tires at his web site.
I've been looking for options to the above discussed problem and I'm certain lots of others have been too.
I would suggest you direct address your specific question to Kevin via PM or email.
http://www.scramblercycle.com/heidenau-tires.html


Regards,
Steve

[ztnoo]

old smokey,
Looks to me like you have Speedmaster MKII front and Safety Mileage MKII rear.
Is that right?
Looks like Avon doesn't produce those tires in the sizes I require.
http://www.avonmoto.com/products/classic

[wonkyworks]

On my Bridgestone 175/200’s I use Michelin Gazelle M62 2.75-18 and 3.00-18 P rated (150 KPH). They are available at Dennis Kirk and Motorcycle Super Store. Nice tire and cheap- $20.00-25.00. For hard to find 19 Inch tires, I used www.vintagetire.com in England (Airmail shipping was expensive). For my Jawa/CZ, I got Mitas tires 3.00-19 and 325-19 H-01, nice tire.
Doug

[BS Mechanic]

??
Doug, clicking on your link seems to take me to "This Page Is Under Construction - Coming Soon!", is it supposed to be a .uk link?
or am I doing something wrong?

[old smokey]

ztnoo, those are the model names for the tires I bought.
Ridered shows these tires mounted on his restoration.

[Mr Burger]

I like and often recommend IRC GS11s. I put these on my girlfriend's CB350. They're relatively cheap, they look the part and for the kind of riding one does on a CB350 they're plenty sticky.

No direct link, but here are the sizes.
GS-11 : FRONT
3.00S18
3.25H19
3.50H19

GS-11 : REAR      
3.50S18   
4.00H18   
4.60S16

Not the greatest selection in the world, I'll admit, but another option. I'd like to check out those Heidenaus as well.

[ztnoo]

The problem with the previously given "vintage tire" link is the spelling.
It's the UK thing......even though its English......some spellings are different.
Tyre is one of those words....
Try this:  http://www.vintagetyres.com/
I believe that pricing is in GBP (Pounds Sterling).
£25 is not $25.
25.00 GBP = 40.4344 USD (see http://www.xe.com/)
That price is EXCLUDING VAT (Value Added Tax).
Shipping is on top of that.
Getting larger bulkier item from the UK and Europe can be very expensive.

I looked at the Duros, and liked the thread pattern, but they didn't come in the sizes I needed and I didn't feel like being the guinea pig to experiment whether they would fit or not. The 3.00 front might, but I can pretty much guarantee the 3.50 rear wouldn't.
Most of us don't have the luxury of buying two or three sets of different tires to see if they work. We need to get it right first time out.

[reed]

On the tyres i have a lot of parts shipped over from the UK and it gets very expensive and you don't have to pay the VAT which is
At 20% so if you go down that road to buy tyres check your invoices because the vat might be on your bill etc if you ask me get
Your tires from the USA it will be cheaper in the long run.And still to this day i get mixed up with the different words between the
UK and the USA.
Thanks.
Reed.