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)?
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.
Quote from Gregory Knell on July 15, 2022, 10:45 amI 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.
Have owned 5 rigs but Rig #2 is the one I drive!
