I currently have Metzeler 880 tires on the front and back. Both are 140/70-18. I wanted to switch to white walls but apparently there aren't any manufacturers that make a white wall for an 18" rim size. My rims are 80 spoke rims. Now both tires need replaced (for the first time since I got the bike) and since I can't get white walls to fit the rim size I was wondering how far off the 140/70-18 I can go on the front and back. Meaning, I have to stick with 18" as the rim size correct? If so, can I go 150 or 130 on the section width? Does the aspect ration have to be 70 or can it be 60, 80 or 90? I'm thinking about staying with Metzelers but I can't find a 140/70-18 rear tire. Only the front tire. Is it possible that both tires on my bike are front tires? Sorry if I sound like an idiot guys but I don't know much about tires and I know messing the tires up can cost me my life. Any help would be much appreciated.

-Frank

 

Any thoughts?

 

Well, I have had this problem for the last 4 years. Let me tell you what i have learned the hard way, maybe this will help you and others reading this post. I have a 03 screamin eagle road king, with 18in PM wheels on it. You have 2 options. 1) take the 18in wheels off and put 16in back on, This i recomend because there are tons of tire options for this combination, or 2) keep the 18in wheels and only have 2 options for tires (that is for a matching set) metzeler and avon are the only 2 tire companys that offer tires for big touring bikes that have matching front and rear tires. now for the front you can run either a 130/70/18 or a 140/70/18 The later size looks better. Now the rear tire is complicated. if you have the 1 1/2 in belt your only option is to run a 130/70/18 on the rear,(which i have done but looks stupid because the front tire is bigger than the rear tire) or you have to put a narrow belt and rear pulley on it so you can run the 150/70/18. i also had to remove all belt gaurds to run this size. the 140/70/18 tire metezler has not made in about 3 years, i was blessed enough to find a nos tire on e-bay a few months back and bought it. (probably the last one in exsistance). there are other companys out there that make a 140/70/18 tire, but it is not recomended for a heavy tour bike, I tried a avon roadrider in a 140/70/18 it wore horrable and road as bad. so in short, put 16in back on, or put a narrower belt and pulley on and run a 150/70/18. That is the only two choices. Hope that helps.

 

According to their website Metzeler make a 140/70 B 18 M/C 73H REINFTL front and a 150/70 B 18 M/C 76H REINFTL rear, which looks the closest you will get for back there.

I have a 150 in the rear of my Glide, with the later narrow belt and reckon a 160 might fit, in which case their 160/60 R 18 M/C 76V REINFTL would be my choice.

Your current 140/70 x 18 have a rolling diameter of 555mm and a 150/70 will be 562mm. A 160/60 x 18 will be 553mm and a better match, if there is room for it. These diameters are approximate and their website may give more precise data.

Hope that helps!

 

I have a 05 Roadking with 18 "wheels and I am running 140/70/18 avon on the front and a 150/70/b 18 avon on the rear and there is no rubs on the belt, pulley or fender so I did no mods to make them work .

 

Just got back from Arizona bike week and was blown away by some of these front tires on cruisers now. I have an '03 Road King Classic, and want to put a 21-23 inch wheel on the front. Is it possible, and B, if it is, do you have to change out the back, or anything else?? I'm guessing yes...

Been awhile since I been here, good to be back...thanks all.