Modern Tyre sizes 1975 860GTE

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kettle738
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Modern Tyre sizes 1975 860GTE

Post by kettle738 »

My recently acquired 860GT is still fitted with what I believe to be the original Pirelli MT-18 tyres; 3.50H-18 front and 120/90 H 18 rear.

Although they are probably less than half worn and not as hard as you might expect they are going to be changed along with the tubes before I use it.

The rear is easy enough, a modern 120/90 18.....but the front is less obvious. The original tyre has a large carcase for a 3.50-18 and the modern equivalent I guess would be a 90/90-18.....but I'd like to avoid a tyre that doesn't 'fill the mudguard' in the way that the original does so nicely, so I'm considering a 100/90-18.

I would appreciate any advice on modern tyre sizes that will do the job without altering the appearance too much.

Mick..........kettle738.
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BevHevSteve
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Re: Modern Tyre sizes 1975 860GTE

Post by BevHevSteve »

What size front rim is on there? 2.15"? If so I'd stick with a 90/90 going larger will not improve handling, but it will make it slower steering and the extra weight would be added in the worst place to add weight on a bike.
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Craig in France
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Re: Modern Tyre sizes 1975 860GTE

Post by Craig in France »

kettle738 wrote:My recently acquired 860GT is still fitted with what I believe to be the original Pirelli MT-18 tyres; 3.50H-18 front and 120/90 H 18 rear.
On a 3.50 rim, Mick, either a 100/90 or a 110/90 will do the job. Bridgestone BT45 or Avons Roadriders are (amongst) the tyres of choice for these old things, btw.

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NeilD
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Re: Modern Tyre sizes 1975 860GTE

Post by NeilD »

ive gone for BT45's on my Darmah, and they work really well on it... not so keen on roadriders, i think they mustve changed in recent years as they always used to be first choice on my Guzzi but the ones currently fitted to my Le Mans dont feel as good..
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