Certainly don't want to start another infamous TIRE THREAD, but do have a question. I'm new to this K100/EML rig and see that it has three different tire sizes and all the tires are old and in need of replacement. The current sizes are"
FRONT - 135SR15
REAR - 145SR15
HACK - 125SR15
It just seems unusual to me that all three are different widths. wondering if this is normal and therefore if there's a reason, or is there preferred single size for all three tires. Just seems to me that it would be convenient to have all three the same size.
Lynn Keen
NE Florida
The three sizes are the largest that will fit in the 3 locations and what the rig was designed for. These tires can be difficult to come by in the USA as the 125 was used on the Citeron 2cv and the 135 on rear engine renaults only in the USA. Cokker tire usualy can help.
We usualy keep a set of good used take off tires so that if some one is traveling and needs a tire to get home we can help. We do this for free.
Jay G
DMC sidecars
www.dmcsidecars.com
866-638-1793
I have a 125 firestone on the car. A 135 Michilen on the front and a 155 Vidresten on the rear. All were sourced at Coker. I would like to be more consistant with brands but that is what is available. The 155 fits and works well for me. It came about because the 145 was not available. My understanding is that Michelin only runs some of there sizes every two years and their ration of 145s had run out. I have over 20k on all of them and I am ready to replace all three some time this spring. I'm sure the spelling is not correct but close. Harold in Kansas
Just one more set of data throw into the pot. I'm running 135x15 all around. I've got adequate clearance everywhere but I do occasionally rub on the sidecar tire on a big bump. I'm not a big fan of Coker Tire. They have the sizes but some of their tires are very old when you get them. You can easily read the date codes on a tire that you are considering. Here's a link to an article about how to read the code http://tiredatecodes.tumblr.com/.
Good luck!
Thanks all for the input. It still seems to me that it would be so much simpler to run the same size on all three wheels. Al indicates that he is doing just that and other than an occasional rub on the sidecar apparently without issues. So the real question is, if I go with a 125 or 135 all round should I expect to see any change in handling. The rig handles very well currently, very neutral on a flat straight road, and I would hate to disturb that attribute.
Lynn Keen
NE Florida
Al will surely correct me if I am wrong, But last I know he was running an air head RS with a T or Touring EML. 135s all around would be appropriate. I have run 135,145 and 155s on the rear and a 31/11 rear drive which is a RS and the lowest or the fastest ratio avaliable. With our almost/maybe 100 horse power avaiable in our 85 K100s it pulls the big tire with ease. In fact it is still running about 400/500 rpm more then my stock 85 RT solo bike with a higher number rear drive. When I retire the rig this spring I would like to go 155,135,135. I have been told that if the tire rubs it will be on the fender and that can be cured by moving the tub outward. I have not really studied that yet. I have run 135,125,125 and 145,125,125 and 145,135,125 and 155,135,125 and have not really seen any changes in handling, only RPMs. However I am neither sensative or aggressive. So who knows?
Again I have been told by venders of these small tires that Michlien only runs the small tires every 2 years, so where ever you buy them they could up to 2 years old or now longer available. Harold in Kansas
Harold, No big deal but the current rig is an '85 K100rs with an EML Sport. I've never had an airhead rs, my airhead is an R69s with a 900cc engine out of a /6 pulling a Ural hack. I've run a 145 on the rear of the EML rig with no rubbing and I think there would be room for even more tire so long as it wasn't too tall.
I wouldn't be worried about a two year old tire [I'm told that a year of aging is a positive thing] but I've seen "new" tires from Coker made for vintage cars that were six years old.
Al Sorry about the wondering memory. My memory remembered the RS and even visualized the fairing and then didn't put it on the Brick. Go the my album to see why I remembered the fairing. I even misspelled my name. look for album "hhsort". Look at the feet of the guy with black jeans and you will see the balloon. Harold in Kansas
Harold, No harm, no foul. That photo is Steve Woodward with Bob Alexander riding in the hack at Duluth. Together they cracked my windshield while playing the game. But again, no harm really.
My k100rt /EML GT2 has the front rim stamped 300DX and the back one stamped 400JX.
What are these numbers?
The 400JX has a 145 r15 tire. Could I install a 135 r15 on this rim?
Thanks
Bert (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
The 400 refers to 4" wide ; the 300 to 3" wide. I see by tire size you are running small automobile tires on your rig. I would say NO to a 135 tire on a 4" wide rim, I think it would squeeze and deform the flat profile too much and you would lose the advantage of an auto tire. Sticking to the current tire size would give you the best wear load rating and performance.
For What is worth. I am running a 85 k100/EML/gt2. I have upsized one sized from what was on the rig when I bought it. I am running a 155/15 Vedreistin(sp) as a pusher. A 145/15 Michelin on the front and a 135/15 Firestone on the car. The car tire looks really close but I have 2K miles of Passenger and full load of luggage with no rubbing. I believe they are all available from Coker. Harold in Kansas
Thank you for your replies.
Nice to have a reply from HHShort as we are riding the same outfit.
I will install a 135 r15 on the rig.
Sidewise,
Thanks for your input too, and .... You are right ( 😉 )
135 r15: Recommended Rim Width: 3.50 - 4.50
As you can imagine, shipping tires to Canada is not cheap.
I'd like to order 2 back tires(145) and 2 front or rig(135).
Just the shipping from Coker will be as expansive as the tires.
As the last sidecar that I owned was over 30 years ago, I don't have any idea of what mileage I can expect from these tires.
What is your average mileage on a back tire?
Thanks,
Bert
It seems that a lot of companies advertise the Firestone F560 or the Nankang in 135r15 size (even on Ebay). When you want to order them, they tell you that you have to wait at least until the spring.
For the Canadians, I found a company in Quebec having access to a supplier with a big stock of 135. I just ordered two 135 and two 145.
They are a bit more expansive than the US sites, but their shipping fees is way cheaper. At the end, the total cost is the same. (4 tires at $123 each + $70 for shipping the 4 of them. Ordering in the US would cost me a minimum of $65 per tire for shipping)
If you are interested, send an Email to Fern at: sylmar@sylmar.ca.
Bert
My 1992 BMW K100/EZS rig has 14" tires/wheels all around. 165/70R14 F&R and 165/65 on S/C. Any of you "K" bike guys want to trade your 15" rims??
Tires are 10 years old and hard. I was considering going to 78 series bias ply tires to gain a little more diameter on wheels to slow eng RPMs down a little.
Any imput/opinions/tales of woe on bias ply vs radial tires will be appreciated.
