Which tires for my 76 550

[Peter_plade]

Hi which tires would you recommend for my 76 550. They should somehow period correct as the ones I have in it now are to modern looking. Also good handling is preferred.
Also how wide a rear tire can I fit? I think it's a bit skinny the one I run now.

http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;pic=188

[JamesH]

I run the Conti's and love them (RB2/K112).

[wolfheze]

Avons on mine, no complaints but i havent as yet touched anything down.

[Bryanj]

Metzellers look closest to originals but handle better

[ST1100]

Metzellers look closest to originals but handle better

Already eye-balled them: ME11 front & Block C rear look pretty authentic

[Bryanj]

ME77 rear is better

[matthewmosse]

My preffered tyres are Avon sm mk11 on the back, and roadrunner on the front. 400 18 rear is fine, I prefer the handling on these skinny old tyres to the modern fat tyres on my ntv or the 250 nighthawk or ca125 that also inhabit my lockup, especially in winter. I ran the same tyres on my bmw and a decade between the 500 and 550's and bmws of all weather commuting saw no dramas from the tyres, when I went over to modern bikes with pirrelli tyres twice the size, that has seen 2 offs in slightly icy conditions, lots of dramas and me resorting to a car in 3 years.
I can say that a 5.00 15 tyre on the back of a cb550 will 'just' squeeze in (stupid custom rear wheel) but I found that whilst it just ran clear when cold, once on the bike and run for 1/2hour it was rubbing the torque arm.

[Peter_plade]

Thanks for the replies guys, if any of you have pics of your bikes were I can see the tires I would be great. Still not sure what to buy.

[Peter_plade]

Metzellers look closest to originals but handle better

Don't they handle good? Or did misunderstand you?
Could you post a few pics? Looks like we identical bikes :-)

[s7paul]

I've been very pleased with the Bridgestone BT45's on mine, though they may not look original enough, if that's what you're after.

[Peter_plade]

I would like them to look like they are from the some time era as the bike, mine are way to modern looking.

[Bryanj]

What I meant was the metzellers handle way better than originals

If you want best handling use dunlop TT100's, If you want period look with good handling ME11 and ME77 Matzelers

[Peter_plade]

What I meant was the metzellers handle way better than originals

If you want best handling use dunlop TT100's, If you want period look with good handling ME11 and ME77 Matzelers

Thank I will go for those.
How wide is your rear tire?

[Bryanj]

3.50 0r 4.00 whichever you can get

[SteveD CB500K0]

"In the day" we were really brave and went for 425/85 on the rear.

You wouldn't believe how much faster and better handling the bikes were...   

... as if we knew...