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Old Dec 28, 2019 | 12:11 PM
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Default Vintage tires

How do you mount vintage tires on the front of a 48? And which is the best one?
 
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Old Dec 29, 2019 | 12:55 AM
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What do you mean by Vintage ?
 
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Old Dec 29, 2019 | 04:04 AM
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A picture paints a thousand words...…Like this....Be advised apparently at speed on bends due to the profile the tires will have a tendency to try to 'right' themselves (basically try to attain a vertical stance) nothing to worry about and something you very quickly adjust to.



 

Last edited by K9F; Dec 29, 2019 at 04:08 AM.
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Old Dec 29, 2019 | 05:49 AM
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Oh dear ! Anyone who puts form over function where tyres are concerned isn't thinking straight . That thing looks like the BACK tyre of a 70,s chopper !
 
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Old Dec 29, 2019 | 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by K9F
A picture paints a thousand words...…Like this....Be advised apparently at speed on bends due to the profile the tires will have a tendency to try to 'right' themselves (basically try to attain a vertical stance) nothing to worry about and something you very quickly adjust to.


"Nothing to worry about" ? I would say there's plenty to worry about . Has it not occurred to anyone that there's a reason that motorcycles have smaller tyres on the front in the first place ? Anything that adversely affects handling for the sake of fashion is nothing but folly . And it looks bloody awful .
 

Last edited by Midpegs; Dec 29, 2019 at 05:57 AM.
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Old Dec 29, 2019 | 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Midpegs
"Nothing to worry about" ? I would say there's plenty to worry about . Has it not occurred to anyone that there's a reason that motorcycles have smaller tyres on the front in the first place ? Anything that adversely affects handling for the sake of fashion is nothing but folly . And it looks bloody awful .
so all motorcycles come from the factory with smaller front tires?
ever heard of the Wide glide with a 21" front tire? Sportster custom? Quite a few softails........
 
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Old Dec 29, 2019 | 07:06 AM
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Some people are purists and as such quite like form over function. The 48 depicted above which is not mine I hasten to add ballpark Ł2,500 was spent ripping off all the EFI system and alarm etc. to revert back to carburettor. An inordinate amount of money has been spent on it with another Ł2,500 on the Revtech wheels and Ł7,000 on recent new engine including import taxes, labour etc. To me the reversion to carburettor was a backward step but who am I to judge or pour scoff and scorn? It was his bike and his choice, he is happy with his choices and I respect them accordingly. As a footnote it has recently been fitted with a big bore kit as well having covered well over 70k miles in four years just for pleasure, it was beginning to blow a little oil. It goes like a scalded cat and he doesn't seem to struggle to handle it at all. You don't have to like it, it's not yours, 'Live and let live.'
 

Last edited by K9F; Dec 29, 2019 at 07:11 AM.
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Old Dec 29, 2019 | 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Hoginedgewood
so all motorcycles come from the factory with smaller front tires?
ever heard of the Wide glide with a 21" front tire? Sportster custom? Quite a few softails........
Did I say " All " ?
 
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Old Dec 29, 2019 | 09:16 AM
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Here is the website you are looking for:

https://www.cokertire.com/?gclid=EAI...SAAEgKQuPD_BwE

Coker Tire sells them and all the over "vintage" tires you could think of for bikes, cars, trucks etc.

I have the pictured Firestones on my '46 Flathead, I take no exception with their capabilities. But I will add on her best day, down a hill with a tail wind I am doing 65 MPH. A modern Sportster can easily exceed 100 MPH and more. Just something to think about. I had Shinko tires on my Shovel that where replicas of the old Goodyear Speed Grip tires form the 60's, they were awful above 45 MPH and had to be removed from anything other than a trailer queen.

But lots of guys are running those Firestones on Sporties, I would imagine they must be OK. As far as mounting, no different than any other tire. Good luck.
 
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Old Dec 30, 2019 | 12:00 PM
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Amazing how people want to criticize other's choices even when their opinion isn't even asked for.
OP's question was how do you mount them and which are best. I like the look but wouldn't use them myself but I would never try to tell someone else not to. Live and let live, happy new year everyone
 
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