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SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: Peter_plade on December 26, 2015, 05:25:29 PM

Title: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Peter_plade on December 26, 2015, 05:25:29 PM
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
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: JamesH on December 26, 2015, 09:25:41 PM
I run the Conti's and love them (RB2/K112).
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: wolfheze on December 26, 2015, 10:07:23 PM
Avons on mine, no complaints but i havent as yet touched anything down.
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Bryanj on December 27, 2015, 01:14:05 AM
Metzellers look closest to originals but handle better
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: ST1100 on December 27, 2015, 01:29:49 AM
Metzellers look closest to originals but handle better
Already eye-balled them: ME11 front & Block C rear look pretty authentic
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Bryanj on December 27, 2015, 09:23:01 AM
ME77 rear is better
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: matthewmosse on December 27, 2015, 09:28:47 AM
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.
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Peter_plade on December 27, 2015, 06:53:44 PM
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.
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Peter_plade on December 27, 2015, 07:02:05 PM
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 :-)
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: s7paul on December 28, 2015, 08:46:02 AM
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.
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Peter_plade on December 28, 2015, 04:45:36 PM
I would like them to look like they are from the some time era as the bike, mine are way to modern looking.
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Bryanj on December 28, 2015, 06:12:43 PM
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
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Peter_plade on December 28, 2015, 06:18:39 PM
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?
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Bryanj on December 29, 2015, 12:05:04 AM
3.50 0r 4.00 whichever you can get
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on December 29, 2015, 08:00:45 AM
"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...    8)

... as if we knew...
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: flatfour on December 29, 2015, 08:32:39 AM
I fit TT100's to all of my older bikes as tyres become due for change. On the 500/4 I use a 4.10 front and rear (as we did in the 1970's) and on the 750 a 4.10 front and 4.25 rear. Central tyre usually hold them in stock.

If you want to see pictures of them fitted, send me a p.m. with your e-mail address attached and I will forward a couple to you. (There are some on this site already, although I am not sure where, that were kindly posted by another member for me as I cannot seem to upload them myself).
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Peter_plade on January 03, 2016, 02:10:47 PM
3.50 0r 4.00 whichever you can get

Here I go again, what size front tire do you run?
Title: Re: Which tires for my 76 550
Post by: Bryanj on January 03, 2016, 02:53:38 PM
3.25 idealy but 3.5 will fit
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