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vintage bmw sidecar rig tire

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(@gregory-knell)
Posts: 4
Active Member
Topic starter
 

I just purchased a 1965 BMW with a Hollandia sidecar. Stock tire size on that bike (front and back) is 3:50 x 18.  The newly purchased rig has 4:00  x 18 tires on the rear of the bike and on the sidecar.  The front tire is currently a stock size.   Would it be acceptable to run a stock sized tire on the sidecar (i.e., is a 3:50 x 18 sized tire on the car okay)?

 
Posted : July 15, 2022 4:45 am
(@al-olme2)
Posts: 339
Reputable Member
 

Gregory,

Running a 3:50x18 tire would be fine on the sidecar, if you can find a tire in that size with a suitable profile.  I have an older BMW /2 with an R90 engine rig and I'm using 4x18 tires all around and have done for about 25 years.  My rig carries a spare and having one size tire and wheel that fits everywhere is a real benefit.  I haven't run into any clearance issues with the slightly wider tire and the Metzler Block K design is still readily available.

 
Posted : July 16, 2022 5:24 am
(@ned)
Posts: 586
Prominent Member
 
Quote from Gregory Knell on July 15, 2022, 10:45 am

I just purchased a 1965 BMW with a Hollandia sidecar. Stock tire size on that bike (front and back) is 3:50 x 18.  The newly purchased rig has 4:00  x 18 tires on the rear of the bike and on the sidecar.  The front tire is currently a stock size.   Would it be acceptable to run a stock sized tire on the sidecar (i.e., is a 3:50 x 18 sized tire on the car okay)?

The key to the question "Would it be acceptable?" is to know the size of the rim.  If it's a 3-inch rim then the 4.00 tire that's on there is about as narrow as you'd want to go.  If it's a 2.5-inch rim then a 3.50 tire is fine.

 
Posted : July 21, 2022 5:46 am