tire recommendations for velorex 560 sidecar and 1980 honda cb900c?

One of the best long wearing sidecar tires available for the 560 is the 3.50x16 M12 4 ply Mitas.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
Velorex dealer

Lonnie, does it take a tube? what size if yes?

Ok, and I'm obviously a newbie here. what does 3.5x16 M12 stand for? also, I cant find the mita tire online? only tire sizes I'm seeing for MC tires are something like 110/90/16 etc...

edit: ok I found online at a 100 width tire would be the same as 3.5". so I'd need to find 100/90-16" diameter tire for the sidecar? still cant find the mita tire. still don't know what M12 means.

Mitas is the original Jawa/Velorex tire from Check republic.
Very good in my eyes and inexpensive. Good vor small and medum size bikes.
But for the CD900 I would think about a car tire and most of all check the axle!!! The original is only 15mm and I would go up to 20mm modern Velorex standard or better 25 or even more.

Size indication is 3,52" width, 16 inch rim needs tube because its a spoke rim.
Regards
Sven Peter

I'm also trying to get a replacement tire for my Velorex 560 s/c.
Is there anyone in the states that carries the Mitas tire? What other tire would work just as well and be more available?
Howard
'74 M/G Eldorado & Velorex 560

Yes, it takes a tube 3.25-3.50x16". It is a spoked wheel and they take tubes.

The 3.50x16 M12 Mitas sidecar tire is $88.00 plus Shp'g. The matching Mitas tube is $26.00 plus Shp'g.

Upgrading to a later model Velorex 20mm axle, swing-arm, wheel ass'y and backing plate with brakes costs several hundred dollars.
A different axle/wheel combo may not fit within the 560 fender.

Lonnie
Northwest Sidecars
nwsidecar@aol.com

I'm not sure if it is the same tire, but i saw one that was the right size in the JC Whitney catalog.

scott c

fwiw: the 560 takes an 18" tire, not a 16". My existing one is a 100/90 18 cheng shin.

I agree, that the tire I have on my 560 is an 18 not a 16.
I just removed an old 3.25 x 18 Mita and replaced it with a Metzler
4.0 x 18 sidecar tire. It is a lot smoother ride but the fender will have to be mounted differently to clear the increased diameter. Not sure if I want to do that. I'll probably go to a 100/90 x 18. It sure is a smooth riding tire though.
Howard
'74 Moto Guzzi Eldorado and '72 Jawa/Velorex 560

The 18" wheel is a Jawa front wheel that was used on some sidecars.

Lonnie

Hello Lonnie,
What material would you recomend for to make up a new 20mm axle?
I thought about 4140, or 7120 cementated.
I always wonder how tough is this tiny 15 mm axle with the long overhang. What material and treatment use the Checks?

It seems like the anchour plate needs some reinforcement too. The bearings would be just to change more often. Lets say every 20.000km in spite of 30.000km.
Regards
Sven

I would think 4130 stock for the axle.
I don't know what the Czecks used for the 15mms but they have gone several hundred K's on a lot of GL 1000's, 1100's and 1200's. That's a lot of bike for an axle the size of your little finger.
I only know of two 15mm's that have bent and that was from curbing the rig. One owner just straightened the axle out and kept running it.
Scary, but it worked for him.
The new 20mm backer plate seems to be just a bored out 15mm backer.

Lonnie

Exactly what you say about the huge rigs is what amazes me what use the Checks as material. I hit more the one bump or hole where my old MZ-Superelastic would have bent for sure the axle and swing. Therefore I called it the Superplastic because I had to bend swings, mounting fists and main frame more then once. (as an everage every 7000 km was typical)
Axles I changed against self turned Chrome molly steel (comparative to 4140)

Now the Jawa and Velorex bike and sidecar are of much better material.
What I cannot understand is the bolt head sizing frome the Checks, Standard would call for example for 19mm and they mount 17,5mm (11/16") heads...on the bolt but 19mm on the nut.---nuts,
But still better then the early japaneese BUTTER one way disposable scews I had to tinker with when I started driving.
Regards
Sven Peter