Wheels and tires..... Again.

Hello..... At the risk of repeating information.....

I have two MK III project bikes which are being converted to Fastback style. Both came as incomplete bikes. One had a 19" front/ 18" rear, both Dunlop wheels. The other had two Akront 18".

I've read the 19" vs. 18" wheel thread, the Norton Weave thread and some other posts on this site.

After reading those posts, no concrete answer appeared. I realize that is too much to hope for but I was hoping for a little help with my decision.

The bike with not be a hot rod, just a bike I ride 50 miles a week when weather permits. The most traveled road will be a curvey highway with a good asphalt surface...... 50-75 mph.

I'm leaning towards either Dunlop, Excel or Akront 19" rims front and rear with Avon Road Rider.

I hope not to start a lengthy technical discussion, but rather a poll on WM2 FT vs. WM2 or WM3 RR; 19" FT vs. 19" or 18" RR. Avon Road Rider vs. other brands. Just trying to build a stable cruiser.

Thanks. Brad Moore.

I installed Madass WM2 alloy rims with SS spokes and axles in 19" both ends ... I too had the 19"F and 18"R which was okay .... wanted to go back to standard size since I was spending the money .... so far I really like my choice , I have the Dunlop TT100's at both ends ..... Don has very reasonable prices and turn around time was astonishingly quick .... I have received many favorable comments since I've brought the bike out this spring .... love the way the bike rides and looks .... to be fair , I also added D. Taylor headsteady and a steering damper at the same time .... with the new proper wheels it handles much , much better ...
Craig

I have a MK3 from new. Currently has around 50,000 miles and still riding on the original chrome plated steel WM2 Dunlop 19" rims front and rear. Current rubber is TT 100's (back in the day known as "K 81's"). In the past I've used Avon Venom's which are somewhat comparable to the Road Riders I think and although I like them and they stuck well I could never get the bead to seat absolutely even and perfectly equal around the rim. With either brand bike was stable at speed without any cornering weave. This with the 19 incher's front and rear. So I guess in conclusion, I'm a fan of the stock 19" wheel size, alloy or other wise. If I was going to change rims, I'd stick with the 19" diameter but may go to a WM3 for the rear.

Be aware that Avon does not recommend the 100/90-19 AM26 for WM2 rims and if you mount one the profile will visibly be wrong...that being said many have done it and lived to tell the tale. Anyway I'm planning to go to a 19" WM3 on the rear wheel myself in order to use that tire.

I put a set of new Road Riders on original 19" WM2 steel rims on the MK3 I finished last year for my grandson to ride, and we are both very happy with them. That's the same combo I used on my other MK3 street bike for years. The taller wheels cope with our pot holed roads better than 18" or 17" would, and I like the way they turn in effortlessly. We (mostly the grandson ) drag the pegs regularly in the local twisties, and have never had any traction issues. Hard to ask for more than that. If I were going for new rims, however, I'd probably go for WM3.

I raced Commandos with both 19" and 18" tires, and was happy with both. I ended up with 18' tires eventually, so I could use the latest slick racing tires. I don't think you will have any problems with either 19" or 18" tires. You do have more choices with the 18" tires.

Having said that, I'm going with 18" wheels on my MK3 rebuild, but it's pretty heavily modified, and will have a lot more horsepower than stock, so I'll go with the wider 18" tires for a little more rubber on the road.

Ken

On my mk2a I've got stock wm2 19" front w/road riders and a road rider 4.00x18 rear on a wm2. The 4.00x18 rear brings the rear up almost to the 19 front. Also more rubber in the 4.00x18 gives longer life. No noticeable handling differences from the 19" rear that I could tell but I don't ride aggressively most of the time. If you decide to ditch your 18" rear pm me

I own a 1974, Mk2, 850 Commando. The bike was restored and modified by cNw. Matt uses Bridgestone Battlax tires on all his builds https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/75 ... cycle-Tire and, naturally, these tires are on my bike. Highly rated and highly recommended for everyday street touring use.

I second the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires. I've used them on a variety of bikes, and like them a lot. Never tried them on a Commando, but they do make them in 100/90-19.

Ken

lcrken said:

I second the Bridgestone Battlax BT45 tires. I've used them on a variety of bikes, and like them a lot. Never tried them on a Commando, but they do make them in 100/90-19.

Ken

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This size is for front fitment only though. If you want to use this tire you'll need an 18" rear wheel to match front.

Also, note that the Avon 100/90/19 is a universal tyre, ie it can be fitted front or rear.

As such it has less tread depth. So it will wear quicker on the rear.

Fast Eddie said:

Also, note that the Avon 100/90/19 is a universal tyre, ie it can be fitted front or rear.

As such it has less tread depth. So it will wear quicker on the rear.

Click to expand...

Agreed. That's been my experience. I think it's worth replacing the rear more often to get tires I like. If I were commuting or otherwise putting really high mileage on the bikes, I might feel differently. With today's modern tire technology there are plenty of good choices besides the Avons.

Ken

FWIW without road testing this combination yet, I'm building wheels for my '72 Roadster with Borrani WM3 (2.15) 19" rims both ends, and am fitting 100/90-19 Conti Classic Attack's at both ends. One reason I'm going with the Conti's is because they offer dedicated fronts and dedicated rears in that size, and are newly designed radials. The tread design may be a just a little modern looking for a Commando, but if they work good, I'm fine with that.
Bill

Been through this a million times and I'm sure I have the best solution. I run Avon Roadriders on 2.5 inch x 19 (WM4) alloy rims. I use 100/90 /19 both ends. This is the recommended rim width for those tyres. You get the correct profile and more rubber on the road. Handling is lovely and yet quick to steer. When the rear gets worn enough, the new tyre goes on the front and the old tyre goes to the rear. The only downside I can see is that the rears wear out quicker than some other tyres. It's something I can live with. Using these tyres on standard 1.85" rims is outside Avon's recommendation, but they work. When fitted on these rims the tyres have a mushroom profile and when you look at it, you would have to have the bike leaned over far enough to grind the crankshaft away before you used all the tread!

Fullauto...... Will WM4s fit the front and rear of a MK III without modifications ?

Mine's a MK 1 so I think they will fit. You have to use button headed cap screws to hold the front guard on to give your tyre clearance.