Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB350/400 => Topic started by: beemsquar on October 06, 2015, 01:37:19 PM
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Hi all.
Im looking for a set of tyres for my CB400F with a classic tread pattern, but still with good grip levels in the wet and dry.
I know there are a lot of posts about tyres and I've read most of them, but I'm still undecided.
Has anyone used the Metzeler ME11-ME77 Classic tyre? Looks the part and seems to have good reviews on handling.
Any other suggestions for a classic looking tread for this bike?
What are you using and how do you rate them?
Cheers
Andy
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used them, recommend them
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Dunlop still do one, the K82, with a similar tread pattern to the old TT100
I got them from Vintage Tyre Supplies Ltd a couple of years ago. It was the best price at the time when you considered a couple of rim tapes and genuine Michelin inner tubes.
If you fit them yourself pay attention to the rotation for front and rear fitment.
Dave.
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Cheers guys.
I think vintage tyres have a deal on dunlops at the moment so I'll check them out.
I love the look of the metzelers though as they have a different tread back to front, which Is what I am looking for on my cafe build.
Any other suggestions?
I've heard very good things about Avon road runners/riders but I'm Just not convinced they look period enough.
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Continentals?
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I have Continental Rb2's on the front and the K112 on the rear they look the part and grip well ;)
Mick
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I have Avon safe mileage kII but I love the look of the continental k112 they are awesome!
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Update to the contis and you will realise how pants the Avons are
Mick
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Update to the contis and you will realise how pants the Avons are
Mick
All down to the rider Mick, Nothing wrong with my Avon's ;D ;D
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I didn't fit them yet!
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I have Pirelli City Demon's on my 400/4. Look good and stick like s**t to a blanket :o :o :o :o :o
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The Avons' and the Conti's look the part, what sizes are you running and what sort of millage are you getting out of them? So far it's a three horse race, just have to make a final decision now.
Nurse Julie, I've heard other people mention the pirelli's, but just a tad too modern looking for me.
Cheers guys.
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My Pirelli's are front 3.00-18, rear 3.50-18. If your looking for something more authentic, I have a set of wooden cart wheels you can have ;D ;D ;D ;D
Joking aside, I know it's nice to have original style tyres but, I would rather have something slightly more modern that sticks to the road, unless your going to ride like a bloody old woman !!! :o :o :o :o
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These are the conti Rb2 / K112 on my K4 and I fit them as standard to all my machines now. Can't fault them from a performance and period look point of view.
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/12/556f15d697bbe4c8b9ef8279639f2504.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/12/c877c33e306672575a079bb9aef53cad.jpg)
(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/12/1bbffa2a6e7ed85e601dfc61735b3ddf.jpg)(http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/10/12/bd4cea94c3c5114de67523a803fab4e7.jpg)
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I hear what you're saying Julie, but I'm trying to find that balance of looks and performance, I'm a newbie bike rider so doubt I'll be riding too hard to start with.
Those contis look awesome and nice ride by the way! Is your engine painted or polished jamesh?
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The bike is completely original & unrestored believe it or not. Original engine finish & cover finish. It's a US bike obviously.
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well it looks beautiful and I love that orange!
I just checked and they don't do the contis in 90/90/18 and 100/90/18 :'(
So it's still the Metzelers or dunlop K82's. Noelia, what sizes are you running? I can't find the sizes above in that tyre either.
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Bryanj, what size did you run in these tyres?
I am struggling to find anyone who will supply and fit a 90/90/18 front and I kind find a 100/90/18 rear for my bike.
The closest I have got is a 90/90/18 ME11 for the front and a 3.50 ME77 for the rear, is this what you used?
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Bryanj, what size did you run in these tyres?
I am struggling to find anyone who will supply and fit a 90/90/18 front and I kind find a 100/90/18 rear for my bike.
The closest I have got is a 90/90/18 ME11 for the front and a 3.50 ME77 for the rear, is this what you used?
With a classic bike, you are making the classic mistake of using a modern tyre size for an old style tyre. Look up 3.00-18 for the front on a CB400 and 3,50-18 for the rear.
Found a 90/90-18 >>http://www.oponeo.co.uk/moto-tyre-details/metzeler-perfect-me-11-90-90-18-51-h-front-tl-m-c/?origin=prodlisting&gclid=CNOoxvDFvcgCFdXNGwodO_AGdg
Or a K82 >>http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/Product.do?method=view&n=5769&g=301534&p=301576&d=124&c=4&l=2&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Base&utm_campaign=Classic%20/%20Commuter%20Tyres&gclid=CKeMlNfGvcgCFYgKwwodFO0Etg
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I used them on a 500 which has a 19 inch front wheel but as Trigger said look for the real sizes not the metric ones
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You need a 3.25 x 18 perfect ME11 and a 3.50 x 18 perfect ME77.
The front will be considerably dearer than the rear as it is not used on many bikes
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Is 3.25x18 suitable for a 350? As mine has a 2.75x18 and looks tiny compared to the 3.50 on the rear
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Is 3.25x18 suitable for a 350? As mine has a 2.75x18 and looks tiny compared to the 3.50 on the rear
STD tyres on the CB350F are the same as the CB400F, 3.00-18 Front & 3.50 Rear ;) 2.75 is a size that I would use on the front of a 250cc.
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Is 3.25x18 suitable for a 350? As mine has a 2.75x18 and looks tiny compared to the 3.50 on the rear
STD tyres on the CB350F are the same as the CB400F, 3.00-18 Front & 3.50 Rear ;) 2.75 is a size that I would use on the front of a 250cc.
What do DS use on their rebuilds they sell? I guess it's Maxxis type.. I was planning to use these on the three twins (2xCB250K0's & 1x 350K1) that I am building, as they look the part from an originality point of view. Any thoughts?
http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/CB250K0-SUPER-SPORT-1968---1969/part_190632/
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All the tire places I spoke too gave me these metric sizes, I just gave them the rim sizes old tire sizes and the bike it was for.
I guess they just gave the closest modern size.
It certainly narrows down the choices even more sticking with the original sizes exactly.
I don't think Metzeler make the front in a 3.25 x 18.
I emailed Metzeler yesterday, they replied today and said this.
"Dear Andy,
Thank you for your email,
We would recommend the following available sizes for your bike/model respectively; please note that the below fitments must have clearance on the hugger/mud guards in both front and rear.
Front-90/90-18M/CTL 51H ME11- Part Code-112400
Rear-3.50-18 56S ME77-Part Code-130500 (conversion size to 100/90-18)
Please also note that we have a new classic pattern called Metzeler Sportec Klassik.
Kind Regards,
Name left out
Contact Centre
Pirelli Metzeler Moto UK "
I thought the maxxis look nice too and cheap, does anyone have any experience with these?
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Yes, Maxxis tyres are very good on my good lady's 650 shitehawk sorry nighthawk, good feel and grip in all weather, and resonably good mileage, and very reasonable prices. If Avon stopped making the roadrider tyres, Maxxis would also be my choice for my 750F1 as well
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Recommended Roadrider sizes (from the Avon website) are 90/90-18 (51V) front and 100/90-18 (56V) rear, which is what I have on my 400.
I think the looks of these are not dissimilar to the TT100s and Avon Roadrunners that many people fitted back in the 70s in place of the original Jap rubber.
Also be aware that some manufacturers recommend different tyre pressures from the original tyres.
Pressures according to Honda are 26 psi front and 28 psi rear; Avon recommend 26 psi front and 30psi rear.
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Just wondering how are the modern tyres with tubes fitted in them?
If I put tubes in my minibike tubeless tyres they take on a funny shape
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I would like to know this too bullit as I think I'm going to try and fit the tyres myself to save money.
This might be a stupid question, but how would you work out the tube size? To the rim or the tire?
if I have an imperial front rim and a metric front tyre for example?
What did you do Chris?
Good to know Maxxis are good hairy, might be a simpler option if the above turn out to be too difficult to get.
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I got my tyres and tubes from Tyre Tec (http://www.tyretectrading.co.uk/).
At the time they seemed the best deal when buying the tyres and tubes together as there was a single delivery charge.
Tubes come in a limited number of sizes. Mine are by Continental, as that was what Tyre Tec sell (they also do 'budget' ones).
Front is size D18, which is suitable for the following 18inch rim tyres: 3.00-18, 3.25-18, 3.60-18, 80/90-18, 90/90-18 and 90/80-18.
Rear is size E18, which is suitable for the following 18inch rim tyres: 3.25-18, 3.50-18, 3.75-18. 4.10-18, 100/90-18, 110/90-18, 100/80-18, 110/80-18.
I haven't noticed anything strange about the shape with tubes in the 'tubeless' tyres.
What I should probably have done (learning from mistakes here) was to replace the rim tapes too, so I am going to have a go at doing that.
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Be cautious of trying to fit H rated tyres the beading is much stiffer and a right pain to get on without scuffing the chrome on the rims. S rating should be fine for a CB400F
I usually cut some strips from an old 4 pint milk container to use as a packer between the tyre lever and the rim to minimise and marks.
History has tought me that the donkeys at tyre outlets are less skilled at fitting tyres to spoked rims than they were in the past.
If youre fitting them yourself, lean them up against a radiator for a few hours first.
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I still fit Dunlop TT100's to the Honda and other classics that I've owned. When the 750 comes up for a tyre change, they'll be on that too (although the new Continentals that it was bought with do seem fine).
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Thats good advice, do you have any other tips for scratch free installation?
I have now ordered a set of the Metzelers so I will let people know how I get on once she's up and running.
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I put the ME11 and 77 on my 400. Brilliant!
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Seems like there's plenty of choice for these skinny rims.
I got a pair of Avon Roadriders at Stafford show for £114.
They look ten times better than the rubber that Honda fitted back in the 70's !
My trusted local tyre fitters wil get the job soon.
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Hey guys I'm looking into tyres at the moment and just want to revisit the subject of size if you don't mind.
The standard size is 3.00x18 and 3.50x18 or the modern equivalent of 90/90 18 and 100/90 18. I'm unsure what style of tyre I want at the moment and have the standard DID rims, are the only options of size available to me? Has anybody fitted any other sizes? If so pics would be great.
Cheers
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There's plenty of options available from what I could see, just depends on what style you like.
I went for a 90/90 front and a 3.50 on the rear, as that's the closest I could get in the Metzelers and used a set of Michelin airstop inner tubes, 18ME and 18MF.
I fitted these myself to the 18" rims using exvalvesetdabbler's idea of heating up against a radiator for a few hours on full chat. I bought these plastic rim protectors off ebay for about a fiver and two aluminium tyre levers. I put a drop of fairy liquid around the rim and partially filled the tube starting at the opposite side of the valve and working both sides finishing at the valve. I found using my knees to hold one bit in place and levering the other side worked the best.
It wasn't, but it saved me over £100 buying the tyres online and fitting them myself and I would definitely do it myself again.
My girlfriend was rather amused when she walked in on me in the lounge while wrestling with the tyres, thought I looked like a mating gorilla!
[attach=1]
[attach=2]
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I went for Avon Roadriders, sizes of 90/90 18 and 100/90 18 which as you say are the modern equivalent of 3.00x18 and 3.50x18.
I bought mine from Tyre Tec (http://www.tyretectrading.co.uk/motorcycle-tyres/avon/avon-am26-roadrider/) as they seemed a good deal.
They are now listed even cheaper than I paid a year ago, at £51 for the front and £56 for the rear (+ £7.50 shipping per order).
I was replacing tyres and tubes, think I should have also replaced the rim tapes.
I got the tyres fitted by my local bike chap who charges £10 per wheel.
Subsequently I have bought a pair of tyre levers and had the front tyre off to replace the rim tape, and refitted it!
Had the wheel and tyre indoors for a while to warm it up and found it easier than I had expected.
Will have to do the rear as well sometime, just so I know it has been done.
[attachimg=1]
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Now I can see the RoadRiders fitted I feel motivated to fit mine and not leave them in the shed until spring !
I think these modern radial equivalents result in slightly smaller outside diameters so the gearing will be a bit lower at the rear !
- speedo would over-read too I guess !
The gap between the front tyre and mudguard looks 1/2" bigger than with the old style 3.00 front - the photo on the front cover of the Haynes manual shows an original.
Opinions please !
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I think appearances may be deceptive.
This size chart is taken from the Avon tyres web site:
[attachimg=1]
I remember back in the days of Avon Roadrunners and TT100s that 3.60 and 4.10 were the sizes used then.
I think the diameter / aspect ratio must be chosen to get the rolling diameter and other factors as close to the equivalent as possible.
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I like the look of the Metzeler's what model did you choose and are they on standard width rims?
The Avon has a fairly large gap around the mudguard which is what I want to eliminate. Do you think that maybe a 100/90 would be better to fill that gap?
When I picked mine up it had a 2.75 on the front
(http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g451/DanVauxTec/818572E1-66AC-418A-8AE8-3071483A39DD.png) (http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/DanVauxTec/media/818572E1-66AC-418A-8AE8-3071483A39DD.png.html)
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I'm liking the look of the ME77 shape and tread. Now just size to decide on.
Has anybody tried 3.50(100/90) front and 4.00(110/90) rear???
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I stuck with the standard sizes but they looked and felt great.
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I think there is an issue with rim widths.
If I've got it right if you fit a wider tyre on the standard rim you get more curvature and thus a smaller contact area with the road.
The standard rear rim is wider than the front to cope with the wider tyre.
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I thought that might possibly be the case. Was hoping somebody might say, been there, done that, did/didn't work.
I haven't thrown away the old tyres yet so might try the old Dunlop off the back on the front
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I knew I'd seen the information somewhere ....
Page 7 of the linked document has a table of recommended rim sizes for given tyres (or tyres for rims, depending how you read it ....):
http://www.maxxis.co.uk/media/65556/2013-Motorcycle-Tyre-Catalogue.pdf
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So if I'm reading that right you've gone one size over their recommendations? The chart says 80/90 for a 1.6 but you've gone 90/90 which the chart says should go on a 1.85 rim
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You're absolutely right! And the same goes for the rear, which is a 1.85 rim.
I hadn't actually read the chart, I had seen it in when looking for other stuff so posted the information.
I just went with the sizes recommended on the Avon web site when I bought my tyres.
Looking at Maxxis and Metzeler they both seem to offer 100% aspect ratio tyres i.e. 3.00-18 and 3.50-18.
If you look on the Bridgestone site they say to use a 90/90-18 or 3.00-18 on the front and a 110/90 or 4.00-18 on the rear.
Not sure what to make of the chart now.
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I agree, if you look further back in this post you will see Metzelers reply to my email asking the same thing and they recommended a 90/90 as they don't do the original size for the front, but they said to me on the phone that I will have no issues fitting a 90/90.
Other tyre fitting places I spoke to wouldn't fit anything other than the original size tyres to my rims. On the other hand there are hundreds of threads with people fitting 90/90 and 100/90's on the net and I haven't seen one about people having problems after doing so.
I was advised by many to stay clear of anything larger than above as it would cause steering issues, could make the bike lean over too far on the sidestand, as well as affecting the speedo etc.
each to your own I guess.
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So it seems to be each manufacturer has their own recommended tyre/rim combo
Been trawling the net and I think I'll stick with the standard sizes lol. Thank you for all your input and help 👍