Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!! (2014)

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

A nice man from Cambrian tyres emailed me today, my enquiry to the mothership last week must have filtered down. He offered to reserve one on back order, delivered to my local dealer as soon as they come in. No price was mentioned, but hey, I might just do that!
Terry
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

They don't look very classic looking to me...
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

At $120-130, I was hoping for a good alternative to the pricey Avons.
What I don't like is that Continental does not even list full dimensional specs on their website.
I guess they want you to email them.
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

How do they compare with the Bridgestone BT45? Any better?
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

elefantrider said:
How do they compare with the Bridgestone BT45? Any better?

I think Mike answered that a few posts above.
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

tomspro said:
elefantrider said:
How do they compare with the Bridgestone BT45? Any better?

I think Mike answered that a few posts above.
I have no experience with any radials on a Nort.
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

oops, thanks, i prefer the tread appearance and price of the Bridgestones anyway...
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

Ive ordered a set today ,,,,,,,,,, the new 110/85-19 is now available so Im giving them a try

ContiClassicAttack 110/85 R19 M/C 57V TL (Replaces 3.25/4.10 & 100/90-19) R
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

just imagine how good it would handle with some BT45's on the beastie! :mrgreen:


!
SvenSven said:
Greetings:
I just had a fresh set of Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials, fitted to my '73 850. Admittedly, I have an 18 inch rear wheel - but there are options for 19 inch wheels too. These are *radial* tires designed for vintage bikes. Previously I had Dunlop Elite SP K591. I freely admit the old tires were not all that great for performance in the 1st place.

Details for the new Conti's, at least new to the USA since Europe seems to have had them 1 or so years before us:
http://www.conti-online.com/www/motorcy ... ck_en.html
Sizes include:
100/90 R 19 M/C 57 V TL
110/90 R 18 M/C 61 V TL
120/90 R 18 M/C 65 V TL

They have very "cool" Carbon Fiber (Fibre to the Anglophiles) patterns on the side walls- but I digress. My poin? This set of tires is by far the best single improvement on handling of my semi-vintage Norton. The Commando now has neutral steering... and seems to have no issues turning into moderately deep corners and holding a line very well. Its "almost" as much fun as my April RS250 or my Ducati 1098. Ok by saying "almost" I'm making a reference point. I never, ever, though the old Commando would turn and hold a line quite like "this" ... by "this" I mean, a modern sport bike. Its almost confident inspiring to ride her now. She feels "sorted. FINALLY!
To give you some perspective, I already had a lot of "improvements" before the tire change today, as follows:

FRAME, BODY & CONTROLS
• Frame - Sand-blasted and powder-coated black
• Engine Mounting Cradle - MK3 rear engine mount (Old Britts part # 06-5140/S)
• Isolastic MK3 Conversion, Front (Old Britts part 06-7116)
• Isolastic MK3 Conversion, Rear (Old Britts part 06-7117)
• Fuel Tank - OEM steel, interior de-rusted with sacrificial anode, and interior seal with Caswell “Dragon’s Blood”. Professionally repainted Yellow/Red/Silver (Y/R/Si) and clear coated
• Side Panels - FG ; matching Y/R/Si paint
• Seat - Corbin leather with lockable Smuggler storage compartment & red piping Repainted Y/R/Si matching seat cowl
• Rear Tail Section, Housing & Stop Light Mk3 – Various powder coated steel (Old Britts)
• Triple clamps (“yoke” if you’re a Brit) – Powder-coated black
• Fenders – Polished aluminum British-made w/4 holes (06-3175). Front is shorter, without braces and can accommodate modern brake calipers
• Rear Sets – Dunstall with optional reversible gear shift lever (1-up 3-down) and left-side rear brake (Clubman Racing)
• Steering Damper - Adjustable, mounted under triple clamp (Clubman Racing)
• Mirror – High quality chrome anti-vibration 109x72mm convex bar-end mirror with 1m curvature radius (Napoleon)
• Horn – New and mounted on right side
• Other Isolastics – New OEM (Norvil Motorcycle)
• Fuel Cap – Genuine Ceandess OEM chrome (Commando Specialties)
• SS Hardware Upgrade – Most bolts replaced
• Centerstand - New OEM, powder-coated (Commando Specialties)
• CaféRacer Ace Handlebars - Tommaselli fully-adjustable

FUEL/EXHAUST
• Petcocks - New SS with fuel lines
• Exhaust - L/R chrome “peashooter” (Commando Specialties)
• Exhaust Nuts – SS, safety wired to header oil banjo bolt
• Carbs - New single 34mm Mikuni carburetor conversion kit with new lubricated and lined throttle cable, K&N pancake air filter, custom 2-into-1intake manifold, custom jetting and tuning (Power-Barn)

MOTOR & DRIVE TRAIN
• Belt Drive Chain Case Conversion – No more chain case oil leaks. Synchroflex at 10/890; 32mm with 89 teeth (RGM 091)
• Top End Rocker Oil Feed Line – Venhill, SS (Commando Specialties)
• Oil Filter – Spin-on oil filter kit (Commando Specialties)
• Gearbox Outer Cover Modification along with new kick start shaft o-ring. Replaced leaking Timkin 240731 seal along with machining and upgrade to MKIII (Phil – Fair Spares America) [$60], no more oil drips 
• Clutch Cable – Install new Venhill Teflon-lined cable and adjust to reduce drag and heavy pull (Commando Specialties)
• SS GearBox cover Allen head bolts (Commando Specialties)
• Kickstarter - Norvil OEM MKIII (Norvil/Commando Specialties)

ELECTRICAL & GUAGES
• Electronic Ignition – 12v electrics and side points with dual ignition coils (unknown manufacturer; possibly Boyer but no clue)
• Turn Signals – Added (CrossRoads Cycles)
• Left Controls – Professionally rewired with plug in adaptor to operate turn signals and kill switch. Remove right side controls (CrossRoads Cycles)
• Headlight Bucket modified with pilot lights for Hi/Lo Beam, Turn signals. Also fitted Headlight Hi/Lo toggle switch (CrossRoads Cycles)
• Upgraded Smith Tach and Speedometer with brighter pilot bulbs (CrossRoads Cycles)

SUSPENSION, WHEELS & BRAKES
• Shocks - NJB Racing
• Wheels, Andover Norton chrome steel with SS stems
Front: WM2 (1.85”) x 19
Rear: WM3 (2.15”) x 18
• Tires, Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials
Front: 110-90/19 51V
Rear: 110-90/18 55V
• Fork Nuts – New Alloy (unknown manufacturer)
• Front Brake Setup – Colorado Norton Works (CNW part # 0200-01)
292 mm full floating disc
SS friction surface that is machined to ensure flatness.
Center carrier (center) chromed billet aluminum
Silent washers with true full floating disc, eliminate floater noise
4 piston differential bore calipers for even brake wear and reduce lock-up
Caliper machined on the back for proper clearance, specifically for Commando
Dual o-ring Brembo calipers are with built in dust seals ensure long caliper life
Proprietary hard coating on pistons and bores; smooth movement, elimination of scoring and corrosion
Brembo simulates 300 years of use including thermal shock, salt spray, etc.
Brembo 13 mm master cylinder cast in aluminum, with polished alloy lever
Micro brake light mounted master cylinder
Fork leg bracket installed on 4 piston caliper fork leg; CNC milled and chromed
SS braided brake line with SS banjos
Special ARP 12 point bolts for mounting disc to your Norton hub.
Kit is complete with all hardware and instructions
• Tapered Head Bearing Conversion – Clubman Racing Kit (#N0060)

-->FJ SvenSven Washington, DC (Recent NCNO Member)
 
Re: Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!

Perhaps I will install a set of Battlax BT45's on the next round of tire changes. Then, if I still think Conti's were better, I'll share and you can act as you best see fit at the time...
:-)

-->FJ, SvenSven
 
Could not find any info on-line on actual sizes, nor any good pictures so i bought some. 100/90-19, 110/90-18, and 120/90-18. Below are pictures and measurements i took. I think a 120 would fit in the rear, but plan to go with the 110.

100sm.jpg

100 vs stock 4.10


110sm.jpg

110 vs stock


120-1sm.jpg

120 vs stock


110vs100-1sm.jpg

110 vs 100


110vs100-2sm.jpg

110 vs 100 (110 behind 100)


110vs100-3sm.jpg

110 vs 100 (sidewall comparison, 120 vs 100 is similar, rim width at arrows listed below)

120vs100-3sm.jpg

120 vs 100


120vs100-4sm.jpg

120 vs 100


120vs110-3sm.jpg

120 vs 110


120vs110-4sm.jpg

120 vs 110
 
Last edited:
Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!! (2014)

120 in swingarm


Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!! (2014)

Driveside closeup


Continental Classic Attack Vintage Radials - Excellent!!! (2014)

Timing side closeup

Clearance to chainguard and driveside swingarm was about 1/8" with tire approx 1-7/8" from swingarm pivot tube.
 
Measurements

Stock 4.10-19:
+ Diameter ~ 25.5"
+ Width ~ 4"
+ Weight (rear with rim) ~ 29.1 lb

100/90-19:
+ Diameter ~ 25.5"
+ Width ~ 3.9"
+ Tread Depth ~ 0.17"
+ Rim Width* ~ 2.3", 2.8"
+ Weight ~ 11.2 lb

110/90-18:
+ Diameter ~ 25-5/8"
+ Width ~ 4.3"
+ Tread Depth ~ 0.25"
+ Rim Width* ~ 2.2", 2.7"
+ Weight ~ 13.7 lb

120/90-18:
+ Diameter ~ 26-1/8"
+ Width ~ 4.65"
+ Tread Depth ~ 0.27"
+ Rim Width* ~ 2.2", 2.8"
+ Weight ~ 13.7 lb

Widths and depths were taken with a vernier caliper (digital not calibrated). Diameter was taken with a level and tape measure. Weights were taken with bathroom scale (digital not calibrated, which may explain the 120 weighing the same as the 110)

*The rim width measurement is the width of the tire at the rim. The smallest measurement is at the very inner portion of the tire. The larger is about 1/3" or so out from that point (see arrows in picture above)

Hope this helps anyone contimplating these tires. Will post more pictures after the tires are mounted
 
Last edited:
I had a set of Classic Attacks on a Tonti framed Guzzi for about 2 years, got very excited when they came out . Bear in mind it's a California so not really sporting. I found the grip very good, not much experience in the wet where Radials can really shine over cross plies. The big downside for me (and others I have since read) is the wear rate. I expected radials to wear better than xply equivalent, opposite turned out to be true. Might be just Conti putting a v soft compound on it, I am not arguing the case for cross plies over radials per se and this might not be an issue for you?
I think (but could be wrong) that a German magazine really rated them over xply equivalents in a tyre test. I sold the guzzi but the commando and T140 wear mk2 roadriders and heavier /faster Laverda BT45 s (rated by Norman White in his book btw).
 
They are a great tyre, but to get the mileage from them they really do need to be on the correct width rim. My front lasted 3 rears and will be changed when the rear is replaced. The next set of tyres will be Roadrider Mk2 as these are a lot cheaper.
The worn out rears looked worn out when removed, the old original Roadriders looked worn out and knackered, hopefully the MK2 are somewhat tougher.
 
Measurements

< ... >

Widths and depths were taken with a vernier caliper (digital not calibrated). Diameter was taken with a level and tape measure. Weights were taken with bathroom scale (digital not calibrated, which may explain the 120 weighing the same as the 110)

*The rim width measurement is the width of the tire at the rim. The smallest measurement is at the very inner portion of the tire. The larger is about 1/3" or so out from that point (see arrows in picture above)
Dimensions are measured on bare tyres. I'd be interested in width of the 120/90-18 Continental when inflated to the correct pressure.

- Knut
 
Dimensions are measured on bare tyres. I'd be interested in width of the 120/90-18 Continental when inflated to the correct pressure.

- Knut
Won't ever know. I'm sending it back :(

I'll post measurements of the 110. That might give an idea on what the 120 would be like inflated and mounted
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top