Sizing for new Tires

[crisch]

Hi I've been restoring my 1966 CB77 all summer and am almost done. I need a new rear tire. It has an old K87 3.50-s18 4pr on the rear right now and a brand new Dunlop D404 100/90h-18 on the front. I was going to match the rear and get the D404 110/90h-18 but I am worried it will be too big since stock it is supposed to carry a 3.00-18 4PR. I looked up a conversion chart and saw that a 110 metric converts to a 3.75/4.00. Any idea if the D404 will fit?

The reason I don't want an old vintage style tire is because this is my first bike and since I already have the fresh front tire I might as well ride safer with the more advanced tire.

Any other advice?

Thanks!

[malcolmgb]

100/90 is too wide for the front, 90/90 is the nearest metric and that is slightly too wide, 100/90 would work on the back but again is slight too wide.
Old Vintage type tyres are no less safe than your so called 'more advanced tire' provided the tyre is the correct size and new all will be well.

[Vince Lupo]

A member on this forum sells these: http://scramblercycle.mybigcommerce.com/heidenau/

I have a pair on my bike (2.75x18 front, and 3.25x18 rear*) and I think they're very good tires. I think I have about 3500-4000 miles on them so far -- they wear well, they are great on the twisty backroads, and I've never felt that these tires weren't good enough. Admittedly, I have not yet ridden with them in the pouring rain, but I think they'd still be fine even under those circumstances. .

*The OEM size for the rear tire should be 3.00x18, but I chose a 3.25 because it looks a bit better to me. I wouldn't go any bigger than that though!

BTW I agree with Malcolm that your current front tire is too big for your bike, plus if you bought a pair of the Heidenaus you'd have a 'matched' set.

[crisch]

Thank you so much Malcom and Vince. I'll return the D404 that just came in the mail and try to sell that front tire. Huge help! I will get those tires you posted. They sure look good.

Any other tires (or vintage tire websites) you guys recommend for future reference?

A member on this forum sells these: http://scramblercycle.mybigcommerce.com/heidenau/

I have a pair on my bike (2.75x18 front, and 3.25x18 rear*) and I think they're very good tires. I think I have about 3500-4000 miles on them so far -- they wear well, they are great on the twisty backroads, and I've never felt that these tires weren't good enough. Admittedly, I have not yet ridden with them in the pouring rain, but I think they'd still be fine even under those circumstances. .

*The OEM size for the rear tire should be 3.00x18, but I chose a 3.25 because it looks a bit better to me. I wouldn't go any bigger than that though!

BTW I agree with Malcolm that your current front tire is too big for your bike, plus if you bought a pair of the Heidenaus you'd have a 'matched' set.

[Mike Mullins]

I will second Vinces recommendation. I had excellent service from this vendor.
Mikeyrx

[jambretta]

A member on this forum sells these: http://scramblercycle.mybigcommerce.com/heidenau/

I have a pair on my bike (2.75x18 front, and 3.25x18 rear*) and I think they're very good tires. I think I have about 3500-4000 miles on them so far -- they wear well, they are great on the twisty backroads, and I've never felt that these tires weren't good enough. Admittedly, I have not yet ridden with them in the pouring rain, but I think they'd still be fine even under those circumstances. .

WOW, you really rode almost 4000 miles on the same rear tire? Are you sure? That is pretty impressive. I bought some cheapo ($30) Michellin Gazelle tires (2.75x18 front and 3.00x18 rear) and went on an 800 mile ride (Moto Melee). First day was hot and roads were a mix of paved and rough (challenging for tires). 2nd day was cool and overcast, and bit wet. 3rd day was totally raining. The Gazelles performed EXCELLENT. I pushed aggressively in to many, many, many turns, and they never slipped or hydroplaned, even in the heavy rain. HOWEVER, the rear tire is already over half worn out. I took photos of my tires, each day, and I think that most of the wear happened on the 1st day. Considering the cost to get tires mounted, the Heidenau would be worth it if they last that long.

Pelayo
Oakland, CA

[Vince Lupo]

Well I thought I had about that much on these tires -- think I'm going on two years with these tires on. But I can double-check to make sure I'm not dreaming.

I too bought a pair of those Gazelles with intentions of putting them on, but I changed my mind at the last minute and put the Heidenaus on instead (I still have the Gazelles sitting in a corner). Just looking at the two different tires side by side, I wouldn't think the Gazelles would have the same kind of longevity as the Heidenaus (plus a $20 tire vs a $100 tire, not that necessarily more $$$ equals better), so I could kinda see how the rear Gazelle would be 1/2 worn after relatively little mileage. However, I think for the money the Gazelles are fine tires, and that's good to hear some 'real world' experience with them. Interesting that Michelin calls them 'scooter' tires -- guess nowadays a SuperHawk is scooter-like!

My personal favourite tires are the Dunlop K82 TT100 Lightweights, but at one point they discontinued the 2.75x18 size, so I went with the Heidenau tires. I now see the 2.75x18 size is available again, so when it comes time to replace these, it will be a tough choice between buying another pair of Heidenaus or going back to the Dunlops.

As an aside, when I last had the Dunlops on my SuperHawk, I got over 8000 miles out of the rear tire.