Tires for Flathead 45 CI
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 408
Likes: 288
From: Wiesbaden /Germany
Hi,
are you asking about 16", or 18" inch tires?
I also remember some old WLA models from Poland that had been converted to 15-inch rims and were running on very cheap car tires.
The matching spoke sets were offered for very little money back then, at least here in Germany and the surrounding areas...
I remember at least 3 models of the WL series that were fitted with 15-inch rims. Whether the MoCo ever installed 15-inch wheels at the factory is a good question, but unfortunately I don't know the answer..?
Mike
are you asking about 16", or 18" inch tires?
I also remember some old WLA models from Poland that had been converted to 15-inch rims and were running on very cheap car tires.
The matching spoke sets were offered for very little money back then, at least here in Germany and the surrounding areas...
I remember at least 3 models of the WL series that were fitted with 15-inch rims. Whether the MoCo ever installed 15-inch wheels at the factory is a good question, but unfortunately I don't know the answer..?
Mike
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 7,445
From: OH
Since "most" 45`s are ridden neither very far nor very fast.
(Architect is an exception! )
You could most likely get by with Shinko`s "Classic 270" repro look model
$110 @ Dennis Kirk
(Architect is an exception! )
You could most likely get by with Shinko`s "Classic 270" repro look model
$110 @ Dennis Kirk
Last edited by eighteight; Nov 4, 2025 at 01:49 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 408
Likes: 288
From: Wiesbaden /Germany
Thanks for the answers to you,
I have no intention of arguing about this topic, but the "fat" 15" rear wheels from Poland were very popular in the German chopper scene back then, and the corresponding car tires were a very affordable option.
The German "TÜV" (technical inspection association) knew absolutely nothing; everything built before 1954 was practically unregulated back then, almost anything was possible, which is still referred to today as the "golden years".
These years are, of course, long gone, and these "experts" now feel called upon to evaluate every single screw.
It goes so far that even polished screw heads are criticized; just imagine something like that happening in the USA.
This kind of nonsense is also often referred to as "German thoroughness". (Deutsche Gründlichkeit)
But whatever, it is what it is, the old years are over, things can only get worse...
Ride safe!
Mike
I have no intention of arguing about this topic, but the "fat" 15" rear wheels from Poland were very popular in the German chopper scene back then, and the corresponding car tires were a very affordable option.
The German "TÜV" (technical inspection association) knew absolutely nothing; everything built before 1954 was practically unregulated back then, almost anything was possible, which is still referred to today as the "golden years".
These years are, of course, long gone, and these "experts" now feel called upon to evaluate every single screw.
It goes so far that even polished screw heads are criticized; just imagine something like that happening in the USA.
This kind of nonsense is also often referred to as "German thoroughness". (Deutsche Gründlichkeit)
But whatever, it is what it is, the old years are over, things can only get worse...
Ride safe!
Mike
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 7,445
From: OH
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,568
Likes: 7,936
From: Long Island, New York
45's ran on 18" wheels until 1940, then they went to 16".
WLA's stayed with 18" wheels throughout their run.
I personally run 16" on the back and 18" on the front for a more traditional bobber look. I have a 1940 only front 16" wheel that I put on sometimes if in the mood for a fat tire look.
For the OP:
Vintage Motorcycle Tires | Deluxe Champion | Coker TireŽ
Firestone Deluxe Champions would be on a WL, Firestone ANS for a WLA
WLA's stayed with 18" wheels throughout their run.
I personally run 16" on the back and 18" on the front for a more traditional bobber look. I have a 1940 only front 16" wheel that I put on sometimes if in the mood for a fat tire look.
For the OP:
Vintage Motorcycle Tires | Deluxe Champion | Coker TireŽ
Firestone Deluxe Champions would be on a WL, Firestone ANS for a WLA
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 408
Likes: 288
From: Wiesbaden /Germany
Thanks Architect,
the 15" rims and spoke sets were probably only produced in Poland. All of this was a long time ago, but the reasons were certainly the ability to use standard car tires. The WLA models, with or without Russian sidecars, the combination looked very good, and the tires were already very old back in the 1980s.
The Polish friends were brilliant mechanics; they could turn rubbish into pure gold, and we always admired that very much.
Later sources like "Boon" or "Samwel" didn't even exist yet; everything was smuggled across the borders, through East Germany.
Our Polish motorcycle friends at the time described the East German border troops as "Rotlackierte *****" / "red-painted *****" and that hit the nail on the head, that's exactly how it was!
Mike
the 15" rims and spoke sets were probably only produced in Poland. All of this was a long time ago, but the reasons were certainly the ability to use standard car tires. The WLA models, with or without Russian sidecars, the combination looked very good, and the tires were already very old back in the 1980s.
The Polish friends were brilliant mechanics; they could turn rubbish into pure gold, and we always admired that very much.
Later sources like "Boon" or "Samwel" didn't even exist yet; everything was smuggled across the borders, through East Germany.
Our Polish motorcycle friends at the time described the East German border troops as "Rotlackierte *****" / "red-painted *****" and that hit the nail on the head, that's exactly how it was!
Mike
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