kh tires

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kh tires

Postby dlark » Sat Apr 20, 2019 6:07 pm

Hello all- anyone know of a resaonable facsimile for the 350-18 Goodyears on an 55 KH for judging purposes.
I'm currently running the Coker Firestones.
Thanks,
Dave
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Re: kh tires

Postby Lisa » Sat Apr 20, 2019 7:53 pm

Great tires Balance them with Counteract balance beads and throw the ugly weight's away that don't do the job. Then take it to be judged and if they frown on your tires ask them where you can get
good year tires that size new. ???
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Re: kh tires

Postby raleypc » Sun Apr 21, 2019 9:42 am

dlark wrote:Hello all- anyone know of a resaonable facsimile for the 350-18 Goodyears on an 55 KH for judging purposes.
I'm currently running the Coker Firestones.
Thanks,
Dave

Lang made some repops for the Hummer crowd but I don't think that they are currently available. The original Goodyear Super Eagles lasted forever so you can likely find some originals in reasonable shape.
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Re: kh tires

Postby EKHKHK56 » Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:03 am

I have 2 original Front 325 19" Tires but no 18s...Was the Super Eagle available in '55?
Last edited by EKHKHK56 on Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:05 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: kh tires

Postby hennesse » Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:04 am

The AMCA judging manual says:

"American makes generally fitted Firestone or Goodyear tires. Modern tires that simulate original tread patterns are allowed."
It also specifies a 1/2 point deduction for "type and style unrepresentative of original".

That said, the AMCA wants you to ride your bike, and ride it safely. So they are somewhat lenient about using modern tires, especially since there are so few choices these days. How lenient? We shall see - I have Dunlop K70's on my 1954 KH - and it will be judged at Oley next weekend - and the AMCA Chief Judge will probably be doing my bike. I'll report back.

-----
The Lange tires are great looking and great riding. The Lange family made them back in the 1990s. They are 4-ply, so they are suitable for Ks and Sportsters. Note the Hummer-series of bikes came originally with 2-ply tires. The 19" tires have been gone for a while. I think there may be some 18" tires floating around out there.
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Re: kh tires

Postby EKHKHK56 » Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:07 am

Nice info Dave, So minus 1 point for 2-SPEEDMASTERS :mrgreen: There's a fellow in Texas with tons of Speedmasters NOS. On eBay. In Phoenix Arizona Bob's Cycle Supply .com Bob told me he had a bunch of Vintage Rubber in 2016. I forget what brands, Firestone, Goodyear but K Model sizes. BOB 602 437 0829 Very helpful fellow since '76. Erik
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Re: kh tires

Postby starcain » Mon Apr 22, 2019 4:30 am

EKHKHK56 wrote:I have 2 original Front 325 19" Tires but no 18s...Was the Super Eagle available in '55?


Erik, according to the 1955 Season Order Blank, The 3.50 x 18 Goodyear Super Eagles were the only tire offered with an optional 3.50 x 18 Goodyear Grasshopper for the rear. It was the same option in 1956. 1954 was the last year Firestone was offered as well as the 19" wheel.
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Re: kh tires

Postby DaveC » Mon Apr 22, 2019 4:32 pm

I believe that the tread pattern on the K-70 may be a bit of a stretch for the rib pattern on the Super Eagle or the optional Grasshopper. I am curious as to how you found an 18” 3:50 front? I don’t believe that a K-70 4:00X18 rear would be as narrow as the OEM 3:50 size. If you want to ride safer, try the Metzler Laser’s. If you are going for as many points as you can get, don’t tempt fate by waiving the red flag in front of the bull (or judges) and find some not so worn 3;50X18 Super Eagles or Langes.
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Re: kh tires

Postby hennesse » Mon Apr 22, 2019 8:48 pm

DaveC wrote:I believe that the tread pattern on the K-70 may be a bit of a stretch for the rib pattern on the Super Eagle or the optional Grasshopper. I am curious as to how you found an 18” 3:50 front? I don’t believe that a K-70 4:00X18 rear would be as narrow as the OEM 3:50 size. If you want to ride safer, try the Metzler Laser’s. If you are going for as many points as you can get, don’t tempt fate by waiving the red flag in front of the bull (or judges) and find some not so worn 3;50X18 Super Eagles or Langes.


tires.JPG
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Dave - my bike has 19" wheels, and the choices in modern tires are slim to none - except for the 3.50x19 Dunlop K70, which I have front and rear. They have a "classic" tread design - unlike the Metzlers which have futuristic tread which is (my opinion) totally unrepresentative. I don't think Metzler had a front, and the rear was the outrageous modern tread design.

I do have a pair of Lange's in 3.50x19, but they might be the last pair on the planet, so I'm holding them in reserve for when the bike gets put out to pasture. For regular riding (which I am doing), the K70s are safe, and don't look out of place (my opinion).

I wish my bike had the 18" wheels - there are more choices in tires.
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Re: kh tires

Postby raleypc » Tue Apr 23, 2019 7:20 am

Coker's reproduction of the Firestone Deluxe Champion in 3.50 x 18 would at least be a period correct tread pattern. A factory brochure for my 1961 XLH says that tires were either Goodyear or Firestone, although I have never seen a picture of a 61 with anything other than the Goodyear Super Eagles.
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