Best tyres for a 45?

[dodgyloner]

Hi All

Anyone got any ideas for the best make of tyres for a 45 and possible suppliers?

The bike will be in civilian trim with 16 inch wheels and I'm looking for something with a traditional tread pattern in straight black or even whitewalls.

Any thoughts on those Coker ones?

Is the right size 500 x 16?

Any help or advice much appreciated.

Thanks Karl

[panster]

Hi Karl,
I used Avon Speedmaster mk II 's 5.00X16 front and rear on my rigid Pan with no problems wet or dry.
They have a nice high profile and use modern compound rubber and I know loads of blokes that use them on 45's without complaint.
All I have heard about Cokers is that they are pricey, bad in the wet and don't wear well, I've never used them though so don't take my word for it.
I usually buy mail order and get fitted locally.
Hope this helps.
J.

[dodgyloner]

Thanks Panster

I knew the Cokers were pricey but hadnt heard they didnt do well in the wet - thats all you need on a heavy old harley.

I'll bear the Speedmasters in mind - I was going to mail order and get the local place to fit them.

Anybody else any suggestions?

Karl

[45Brit]

SpeedMasters suit the 45 very well. Road Runners are good on Big twins - I had a Shovelhead Electra Glide with Road Runners, and it was fine - but they are a bit OTT on a 45.

personally I would say the 45 isn't best suited to 16" wheels anyway. They will go on, and some people think they have to have them for the look, but I reckon the 18" wheels are better. A 19" front would be even better, improve the steering which as someone has remarked on another thread, isn't totally wonderful.

apart from the steering, you only have 16bhp or so from a stock bike, and those big tyres soak up power.

[Limey_Dave]

It's not just the look,16" was standard on 45's from 1942 on civilian models with 18" as an option.
Keep in mind that if rebuilding wheels the front rim has the holes punched diff for civy and WLA (cone hub) and WLC (star hub).

[45Brit]

I wouldn't be dogmatic about it, just making the point that the 16" wheel is a big ol' tyre for the 45 motor and does nothing for the handling.

I really don't believe the extra bounce in the tyre is worthwhile on modern roads. I have had two 45s at various times, both with 18" wheels and the one I am building now has them too ( actually a 19" front ) because I believe that is the best combination for this small, rather underpowered machine

but if you want 16" wheels, put 'em on. True about the different rim patterns for the different hubs, though

[dodgyloner]

Thanks for the replies. I'd forgotten this post was on here - thought I'd put it on one of those other USA 45 forums - Gasp! I wouldnt do that would I??

Looks like it might be the Speedmasters unless there are any more suggestions.

The bike has been converted to interchangeable wheels at some time so its got the big twin outside rockers etc. The 16 inch wheels are on back order from 45 Parts Depot.

Dissapointed about the 16bhp - I'd heard you get a blistering 23bhp out a of standard 45 motor.

Karl

[kevscrivener]

Ran mine for 5 years with Speedmasters on 16" rims; no problems, and to me it handled OK, but then again I've never ridden one with 18" rims for any distance, so I'm not qualified to compare the two.

I have been told by experienced 45 riders that the 18 inch wheels do improve handling; however I could easily scrape both boards (including the mounting brackets) on mine, plus it went like the clappers,how much further do you want to lean?

[45Brit]

a quick trip to the bookshelf.. Jerry Hatfield quotes 23bhp for the WLA, so that's that. 16bhp is the low comp, iron head, soft cam, small-carb G type engine fitted to Servicars

actually, considering that a 500cc M20 makes about 13bhp, that's not bad. I've always reckoned that the 45 was the best-developed sidevalve around, not that this is saying much against the M20 etc

[45Brit]

I've ridden both, one of my 45s had 16" wheels, I would say the 18" are better and a 19" front is better than an 18".

but I wouldn't make a big issue of it either way. The 18" rims are more positive and a bit nimbler, insofar as such a thing can be said of a 45..... Ground clearance isn't significantly affected either way.




depends on what you want. A BSA, Triumph or Ariel front wheel in WLA forks is a good swap, you can stop the thing as well. The 45 Depot twin-cam front brake conversion has a good reputation. I have seen one with star hubs and discs off a shovelhead.