Been having a search for some tyres for an old Honda 125 I've recently acquired. 2.75x18 front and 3.00x17 rear. I want something decently modern in the performance department, with a tread pattern that will suit a classic. Metzler ME22 look OK but I'm not wedded to that make/model.
Anyone have a recommended supplier that I might not have found during my lunchtime search? At the moment I'm either having to wait for Demon Tweeks to get stock in or buy from different suppliers. My local motorbike garage suggested I get them and they will fit and balance.
How 'classic'?
Shinko do some nice classic looking tyres that a lot of people use on restorations and Brat/cafe racers.
Avon used to be ok for “classic” type tyres but i’m not sure what their availability is like these days, I think they moved manufacturing of some tyres off-UK.
Tbh I’ve a 21 year old big bike and two, nearer thirty year old, little hondas and tyre performance means more to me than looking period.
Idle browsing of tyre people here shows you can get a Mitas speedway in 330/17 - that looks quite cool, as well as probably lethal!
Michelin Anake street any good?
Thanks gents, I've not come across Shinko in my searches so will look those up.
The Michelin Anakee's would undoubtedly be good, but not available in both sizes sadly.
How old is 'old Honda' ??
1973. Reckon that puts it in the category of 'very'.
That’s nice!!!
Wouldn’t bother me having an anakee on one wheel and something else, mismatched tyres on bikes isn’t / wasn’t unusual, as yours shows.
That’s nice!!!
Thanks. 👍 I'm planning to do a decent mechanical restoration on it, but minimal cosmetic because I like the 'honest' condition.
Nice bike 👍
Really nice that. 😊👌🏻
Surely David Silver can source the right thing for you?
Also, agreed, lovely little thing!
Surely David Silver can source the right thing for you?
They have some listed, which looked very period, but doesn't even tell you the make never mind the model! Pictures look like some really cheap Chinese crap with loads of mold flashing. David Silver is an absolute gold mine however, already have a small order in with them.
Think I'm sorted with the tyres now, a company called TyreTec happened to have them both sizes of the Metzelers.
As an aside, if you’re ever in Leiston, maybe working on Sizewell C, then the David Silver museum is fantastic.
I can't visit Sizewell - they're the enemy! (I work at a gas fired power station with a different owner. 😊)
I just googled 2.75 x 18 tyres and this showed up loads of choice.
Nice bike. I did the RAC/ACU 'school playground' training on one of those in 1974.
OK, new question for your opinion. Wheel bearings need doing, but as I'm taking them to a local motorcycle mechanic for tyre fitting, should I just get them to do the bearings at the same time?
I've got the bearings and seals, but my MTB bearing presses, which I have no problem using on bikes doesn't have anything like the right size adapters for the motorbike. I've never been keen on just bashing them in with a mallet and the old bearing as a cushion.
Yeah, just get the mechanic to do it, bread & butter to them 👍
Nice bike, I have fond memories of pottering through Welsh lanes on a blue one that was a bit older. Really nice undramtic thing to ride. Unlike most old bikes it sips petrol.
How do the Metzler me22 tyres compare with Bridgestone BT46 or Michelin Classics? Got a classic project on the go (Morini 500) & will be needing new tyres at some point - bought the bike as box of many bits, stripped right down to about as many parts as a bike can be...
If that was a question for me Dickyboy, I'm afraid my research didn't extend beyond finding something available in the sizes I needed in a tread pattern that I thought would suit the bike and checking with a colleague that Metzeler were a decent make.
Hopefully someone else can jump in with some actual experience.
I put avon roadrider tyres on my 1960bsa - similar to what I ran on it in the 80s, modern compounds so good grip and wear. Donb't get hung up on looks, go for a tyre that works well
https://www.avontyres.com/en-gb/tyres/roadrider-mkii?cartype=motorcycle
Avon also do the classic pattern tyres like the SM but in modern rubber
A Morini 500 is a rare beast - pictures will definitely be needed of that! I looked at Morini 250 bitd, (un)fortunately when I went to look at it the dealer couldn’t get it to start so I suspect I swerved a nightmare there.
A Morini 500 is a rare beast - pictures will definitely be needed of that! I
Currently it's mostly in boxes, the engine is with a guy in Bristol hopefully going to get rebuilt & I'm concentrating on getting a rolling chassis up & running but appear to be missing some rather vital parts - luckily I have a complete bike & parts book to guide me.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/286872231220
That look like it’s going to be a lovely bike, especially like the old hump seat.
Hmm, maybe we need a more general vintage motorbike topic, unless just changing the title immediately above the reply box changes the thread title. Anyone know?
unless just changing the title immediately above the reply box changes the thread title. Anyone know?
I managed to change the title of a thread of mine a couple of days ago, but that was within the 15min edit window of the first post. And was just a typo correction anyway. It might let you xhange the title, as you're the topic starter, if you make another post and then edit it fairly quicksharp
I used <a href=" removed link " target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vintage Tyres when I needed tyres for my 1951 Automoto 125AV (<a href=" removed link " target="_blank" rel="noopener">here's the blog) and ended up with a pair of Mitas H01's as they matched visually and I knew it wouldn't be getting much use - looking at the order email I got the tyres in 2015 and it's probably done about 30 miles since then
removed link