Tyres

[AndyD]

Having finally built the wheels and then been distracted from the workshop for a while, it's now time to sort the tyres.
First set is for the CJ250T but as wheels are the same as the 400 I'm hoping for a bit of advice / recent experience.

After many calls I've found the local KTM garage seem really helpful and are happy to fit tyres and also check over the wheels I built to make sure they are true and tensioned properly.
Happy at that as I can well remember fitting tyres many years ago and have no desire to revisit that painful struggle!

Are there any recommended tyres for these bikes - not after anything sporty (CJ250T and sporty don't really go together!!) but ideally reasonable cost and a bit classic look.
I've had a Google and have no idea what tyres are good or bad these days so any help appreciated so I can get them ordered up and over to the garage.

Cheers,
Andy

[Bryanj]

Metzeller is what i fit when available try m&p

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Metzeller is what i fit when available try m&p

I fitted Metzeler to my XJ900 I found they were much less inclined to tram line on overbonding.

[AndyD]

Would that be the ME77 tyres?
Google pops up the ME22 as well but this looks to be a lower rated tyre so presumably not suitable

Cheers,
Andy

[TrickyMicky]

Have always used Dunlop K82's since I got the bike in 1988. Classic style and tread pattern of the 70's, but made using modern materials. Have to admit that I don't push them to their limits now that I'm in my 70's, but in the past have been known to feel the toe of my boot kiss the tarmac. Plus I always use Michelin inner tubes, if you're unlucky enough to pick up a nail or suchlike, they don't rip open but deflate slowly.

[bobv7]

I have used Bridgestone BT45s on a wide range of bikes and they worked well, plus their profile would match that of the original ones Honda fitted which you may or may not think important.

[waffey]

Just ordered a pair K82 from Demon Tweeks, seem to be quite cheap compared to other sites

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/search/shop-by/q/k82/

i wont get then until 21st December though 

[AndyD]

Thanks all,
Must admit I'm struggling a bit to decide!
Looks like I an get ME77's quite quickly and they do have a familiar look to them from years ago on bigger bikes, but maybe not the most classic appearance.
Dunlops look to be on long lead time and I'm keen to get the wheels back on the bike, haven't looked at BT45s but will do shortly
Guess then it's take a stab time and pick one and get them on order - if so looks like it may well be the ME77's as M&P (thanks Bryan for the steer) appear to have them available and at reasonable cost along with inner tubes and rim tapes etc.

Cheers,
Andy

[Green1]

I had the ME22 on my CD250u great tyre always pushed to hard and out performed the bike.

[bobv7]

I think that is going to be true of just about any modern tyre fitted to our older bikes. Mine stops and handles a lot better than those I rode back when they were new.

[AndyD]

Sorry, another question...
Ordering rim tapes for the wheels and there seems to be a range of widths - 20, 22 and 28mm - and I wondered which is correct for these wheels or if it makes any difference etc?

Cheers,
Andy

[TrickyMicky]

Y'know, as old and wise(daft!) as we might be, the width of rim tapes I have never even considered! I have just ordered tyres/tubes/tapes all together and fitted what was delivered. Thinking about it, I suppose that as long as it is wide enough to cover the ends of the spokes, but does not protrude out of the 'well' so as to be in the way of the tyre bead seating you should be ok. Maybe wait for a more professional reply from someone on here, you don't want mistakes when it comes to tyres.

[AndyD]

I Know - I've never even thought about rim tape before!
Back in the day all the local bike shops just supplied and fitted the tyres without question.
More recently the bikes I've restored were largely tubeless and the one bike that needed tubes was done by a local bike shop which has now shut down.
The other shops just don't want to do classic / old bike tyres so I've resorted to getting all the bits and getting them fitted - luckily it seems a local guy is happy to fit the tyres and also check over the wheel building / truing I've done so hoping that works out.
I'll hold off ordering the rim tapes for a bit and see if anyone has any feedback - chances are I guess any width will do but just in case...
Cheers,
Andy

[Nurse Julie]

We use 24mm on all our CB SOHC/4's

[waffey]

AndyD,

did you get the tyres? My original order for the Dunlops has a delivery of March!

Now looking at ME77's

What sizes did you order?

Thanks