Need help with tires

meat · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:34 pm Post subject: Need help with tires

I need help finding the right tires for my bike. It is a 75 360t and the tires on it now say they are 3.00 18 front and 4.10H 18 rear.

The bike will see wet pavement so I will need something that is a decent all around street tire.

Are there better brands? Should I try a bigger tire on the bike? What has worked for you? I would like opinions on a specific tire if possible.

Cheers

MopeHead · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:59 am Post subject:

Through recommendations here I just replaced my tires with Bridgestone Spitfires. I bought mine from Motorcycle Superstore:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/6018/ITEM/Bridgestone-S11-Spitfire-Sport-Touring-Blackwall-Rear-Tire.aspx

On sale and free shipping.
So far they have been great.

meat · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:18 am Post subject:

I like your bike a lot. What sizes did you go with?

fasterspider · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:02 am Post subject:

Bridgestone Spitfire S-11 tires are a good all around bias ply tire.

MopeHead, your bike is sweet.

MopeHead · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:47 am Post subject:

After converting to metric tire size by this chart:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/tire-data.htm

I went with 110x90x18 rear and 100x90x18 front. Rear clears fine but the front was CLOSE. After some helpful discussion with Barchetta (who is running the same tires and had similar issues) I ended up rounding out the front main fender bracket just a bit to give it more clearance. It probably didn't need it but I felt much better about it. Keep in mind that these were for a '71 CB350. I don't know enough about your bike to say what might be different. You can look at the above chart and figure out what size you're running now and whether or not you want to go bigger. I personally like the look of a full fender! Looking at the chart the 90x90x18 is closest to your current front tire. Same with mine. I couldn't find that size readily available so I went to the next up.
Here's a side view of mine to give you a better idea of the larger front tire (ok. and to blatantly show it off).

Whatever size you go with I'm sure you won't be disappointed in the Bridgestones. Good Luck!

PS: Thanks for the kind words guys!

Barchetta · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject:

Yep, I still like your handlebar. Very Happy

MR.CHocko · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:09 pm Post subject:

Cheng Shen still makes a tire that will fit these bikes. Besides owning a salvage yard, I also sell a lot of tires for these bikes. But if you go with Cheng Shen do not get the basic generic ribbed front and knobby rear. Go with the next model up in that size, they handle better in wet weather. I tend to ride my CB350 in all kinds of weather and the cheap ones didn't do that good of a job.

fasterspider · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

BTW, I put Kenda tires 110/80-18 rear and 100/80-18 front on my CL with the CB front wheel.

MopeHead · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:26 pm Post subject:

Barchetta · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:32 pm Post subject:

Still paying for my Canadian Insurance. Embarassed

My build is almost complete. Not much to do to the bike without going cafe. If I do the bars, I'll want to do the rider foot-pegs, and shifter and rear brake at the same time. I'm thinking about it, but I also know of a K2-cb350 going for $700. That's the bike I'd like to cafe. I think it would be more fun to put together a bike and not have to worry about getting stock parts all the time.

Also MopeHead, wicked looking tank! Shocked

I do like the Spitfires.

MopeHead · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:52 pm Post subject:

meat · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject:

Your bike is inspirational. Let me know if you know where to get a luggage rack like that!

Thanks for the tips guys. The front looks like it fills up the fender well, how is the handling?

MR.CHocko · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 1:19 am Post subject:

I have a luggage rack like that. A NOS one too, still in the box, if you want PM me.

MopeHead · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 2:04 am Post subject:

ol55 · Commuter Joined: Feb 09, 2009 Posts: 391 Location: VA

I am also happy with the Spitfires from Motorcycle Superstore. The bike is a Honda 350G.

Nice '71 CB350!