Classic Bike Tyres

[RoamingStar]

Hello BCF,

My apologies if this has been covered, I don't get any results using the search bar but it could be an issue on my end (I'm using a phone with Brave browser).

My BSA C15 has the ubiquitous Avon Speedmaster/Safety Mileage combination fitted. Although she's an old lady with only ~15hp she's a flickable little thing and a nicer pair of boots may make cornering more fun. After all, that's where the fun needs to happen when an L plated 125 can keep up with me in a straight line. I'm not after miracles obviously, but thought I'd have a look to see if there are other options available. I've not had much success finding owt; Continental do the 'ContiClassicAttack' radial but not in 17" as far as I can tell.
Does anyone know of anything that may work?

The Avons are the original 3.25 x 17 size for reference.

[WD Forte]

I think your wasting your time
you have vintage 50's era bike with old suspension and brakes and want it to compete with modern bikes on twistys?

Good money after bad IMO
It's vintage commuter, enjoy it for that and ride it like one.
I doubt radial tyres will make it significantly sporty
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bikers smell of wee

[BRUN]

do pirelli phantom sportscomp come in your size, or michelin road classic

[A100man]

I should have thought the current go to tyre for this is the ubiquitous ME22 Metzeler.. what's on my GT 250.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[BRUN]

have a look on https://www.twotyres.co.uk/

they seem to do a lot of classic/retro styles

[RoamingStar]

[RoamingStar]

[quote="BRUN"]do pirelli phantom sportscomp come in your size, or michelin road classic[/quote

I will look into these, thanks.

[RoamingStar]

[RoamingStar]

[stinkwheel]

I have Avon roadriders on my tuned Enfield Bullet. A thoroughly modern tyre available in all the oddball sizes.

That said, the newer MK2 speedmasters and safety mileage are plenty grippy, I used to run out of ground clearance before grip when I was running those.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[RoamingStar]

[stinkwheel]

Make sure they are the Mk2 speedmaster and safety mileage, not the Mk1 which would be both ancient and horrible.

Don't over-inflate them, the safety mileage works in a large part by flexing of the sidewall and maintains a pretty large contact patch. If you over-inflate them, they'd go up onto the corner of the tread when cornering which is unpleasant. My Enfield manual has them at 26psi front 28psi rear

There will be plenty of clearance for roadriders, the AM26 race compound version is the control tyre for classic racing. They are pretty much designed for fitting to old Brit bikes. My Bullets have a very narrow swingarm but I can still squeeze a 4.00 x 19 trials tyre in there (admittedly it rubs the chainguard slightly when first fitted).

They still make Dunlop TT100s too but I don't think they do a 17" version.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[RoamingStar]

[BRUN]

[blurredman]

[stinkwheel]

[RoamingStar]

It seems the closest the Metzler ME22 gets size-wise is 3.00 x 17, going narrower wasn't really desired but then again .25" isn't a huge amount. A very cheap tyre that too.
The TT100 doesn't seem to come in compatible sizes, unless I can squeeze a 120mm width on there and run two fronts, not sure Dunlop would think this a good idea though.

I'll get my 'arris in gear and finish painting the frame bits so it can be bolted back together with the new bits that arrived the other day, get it out riding and work out if an adjustment to the big daft part on top will suffice in making improvements.

[stinkwheel]

Don't fancy the roadriders then? They are excellent tyres and come in all the sizes. I had them fitted on my last run to the Picos in Spain and was rubbing the footpeg rubbers on the mountain switchbacks. Also fine in the wet with standing water on the road. Overtook SO many BMW GS riders.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AIL4fc_SB51wj0fOE_yWAxiBIVDlwrNL_9euyrH0tVCJvD8S4Fbvme4pSOOOlj-0mnNcD6Kn7xjz4JKBGzZo47fFgWE1UD3zRaABmKbgCyJzMJkZgc5VWsnblZqcRo6riEX1SE1r4JH1qOlosgjQQfsLxRZh=w1160-h870-s-no
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[RoamingStar]

[A100man]

[A100man]