New tires with vintage looking tread?
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New tires with vintage looking tread?
I've been looking for a set of tires for my GL1000 1976. Would like to get tires with a more vintage look, but of course modern performance. There are several makes such as shinko, avon, continental, etc. Problem is I've been unable to find a matching front/rear set with the specs for the bike. The rear seems particularly difficult to find (130/90 x 17). Wondering if someone else has gone through the same turmoil and found a solution?
1975 GL1000, on the road but patiently awaiting restoration
1976 GL1000, in the middle of a frame-off restoration.
1976 GL1000, in the middle of a frame-off restoration.
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Re: New tires with vintage looking tread?
Here is a good article.
https://www.randakksblog.com/tire-recommendations/
I like the Shinko 230 tires and also use the Shinko 712 tires. Continental still makes the vintage front with the ribbed look, but they don't make the 4.50-17 for the rear. I have used Bridgestone Spitfire tires and they are nice, but pricey. Get a set of the Shinko 230 tires and you will be happy.
https://www.randakksblog.com/tire-recommendations/
I like the Shinko 230 tires and also use the Shinko 712 tires. Continental still makes the vintage front with the ribbed look, but they don't make the 4.50-17 for the rear. I have used Bridgestone Spitfire tires and they are nice, but pricey. Get a set of the Shinko 230 tires and you will be happy.
- Lucien Harpress
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Re: New tires with vintage looking tread?
I'm currently running Shinko Tourmasters on my '76, and I think that's about as vintage as you're going to get (with the added benefit of being rather affordable). Dunlop 404s are another popular choice, but I have no idea of the size availability of those.
Another thing to think about- mixing and matching tread patterns is a topic that usually inspires some spirited debate, but a lot of bikes of similar vintage (looking at you, CB750) liked to run a straight ribbed front tire with a more aggressive tread on the rear. Again, have no idea what's available in GL1000 sizes and take what you will from other people's opinion on tires (sorry, puppies), but that's the advice I have to give.
Another thing to think about- mixing and matching tread patterns is a topic that usually inspires some spirited debate, but a lot of bikes of similar vintage (looking at you, CB750) liked to run a straight ribbed front tire with a more aggressive tread on the rear. Again, have no idea what's available in GL1000 sizes and take what you will from other people's opinion on tires (sorry, puppies), but that's the advice I have to give.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete
All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
- pidjones
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Re: New tires with vintage looking tread?
If you want modern performance, you will have to go with modern tread patterns. Having ridden on the old bikes in the '70s, I sure don't want to go back to their short life, poor cornering, sketchy braking. If it is just a show bike, go for appearance retro like Coker.
"Love 'em all.... let God sort 'em out!"
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
Ex 2006 GL1800 - the Black Pearl SOLD! to make room for:
2021 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited Dark Chalk Metallic
1975 Red GL1000 project - ex Pistol Pete project
1972 Triumph T150V Trident rescue - finished and FOR SALE!
1976 Yamaha RD400c
1978 GL1000 with '75 engine - the Hunley
Ex 1978 GL1000
Ex 1979 GL1000
Ex '79 CB750F rat bike
Ex '86 SEi
Ex '77 GL1000
Ex '76 RD400
Ex '72 Penton 125 set up for flat track
Ex '73 RD250
Ex '68 TR6C - chopped
- Whiskerfish
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Re: New tires with vintage looking tread?
Yea I ran the IRC's for several years then the Dunflop 404's. Once I switched the higher grade Metzlers I would never go back. The life and stability difference is considerable.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!
Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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Re: New tires with vintage looking tread?
I wouldn’t run the ribbed OE front ! If you’ve never ridden on the ribbed front you’ll find that the ribbed front tires tend to follow any grooves in the pavement causing the bike to wander uncontrollably. Rain grooves are really a pucker event, I won’t use them !
Red 1976 oe owner
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
1976 LTD restored
1980 CBX , in the que, to fix the ignorant heavy handed owner
1981 CBX
1977 CB750 K7
2014 FJR OE owner, sold
1980 GL1100
1984 GL1200 naked
1969 CL350, in the que
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Re: New tires with vintage looking tread?
I'm a real outlaw, Michelin Pilots.
78 GL 1000, 70 CB750 sandcast, 70 CB836 hot rod, 1124cc 750 dragbike resto project.
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.
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Re: New tires with vintage looking tread?
A lot of suggestions! Thanks everyone. I'll continue my research.
1975 GL1000, on the road but patiently awaiting restoration
1976 GL1000, in the middle of a frame-off restoration.
1976 GL1000, in the middle of a frame-off restoration.
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