New tires for wife's LS

[Red_Chili]

Hello all, found this site through webbikeworld.com.  Glad to be here!

My wife and I are about ready to launch our second kid, so she wants to ride again.  I have kept and maintained her bike all these years, a 1982 R65LS with R100 motor and R80 rear drive.

I've promised to repaint it a nice Ducati red.  Also, the tires are old, worn, Laser and ME88.  I think I'd like to try the following based on WebBikeWorld's review:
BT-45 110.80-18 front
BT-45 120/90-18 rear
however, his R65 is an '84.  I don't want to assume the sizes are appropriate for the earlier one; did the wheels change between '82-84?
Also, any issues with running tubes in a tubless tire?  H or V rated?

[Bob_Roller]

I am using a  100/90 18 front and a 120/90 18 rear both Metzeler ( ME33 front- ME88 rear), the clearance of the rear tire to shaft housing is not much more than 3/32-1/8 in., so that may be an issue with the tires you want to use, I think those are Michelin, I'm not familiar with them. But a few others on the forum use Michelins, and I'm sure they will add their experiences. The front tire clearance I really couldn't comment on, as I've stayed with the stock size. As far as running tubeless tires, the rims are not meant to be used tubeless, but some owners do run tubeless tires, and I have not heard any negative experiences myself. So I guess you'll have to do what you feel comfortable with.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Bill,

Check out this thread: http://suraklyn.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1169134404/0#1

It was started by a person wanting to mount a rear tire on the front, but there is some tire discussion in it.

Personally, I would go no wider than 100-90 on the front.  It can affect how the bike feels in turns.  There is nothing wrong with skinny tires.


On the tubeless subject, I have heard that the LS wheels are one of the few models prior to '85 (or so) that were safe to use with tubeless tires.  That is, they have rim locks incorporated into the design.

Welcome to our forum!  Congratulations to you and your wife on your new phase of life, together!

[Red_Chili]

Thanks!
Actually, to clarify, I had not even considered running without tubes.  Just wondering if tubes in a tubeless type tire are a bad idea.

When last I ever asked that, back in the day, the answer was, "don't do it, the tire will overheat..."

The question on sizes was based on the WebBikeWorld R65 tire review, the Bridgestone Battlaxe BT-45s in  the 110/80-18 front got rave reviews but I don't know if it will fit.  I do find smaller sizes (including 90/90H18 ) on RonAyers.com so I can go that route... 110/90H18 rear too...

Were the rim sizes (width) changed between '82 (old frame) and '84 (R80S/T frame)?

[NC Steve]

Actually, the frames, shocks, etc. didn't change until the '85 model year, at least here in the States, so 82 & 84 should be interchangeable.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Hi Bill,

Sorry, I misread your question about tubes and tubeless tires.
I don't have an answer for you, based on any experience, regarding heat.  I have always bought the tires I can find that come closest to original spec.

I have always been suspect of the author of the webbikeworld series, he doesn't even give his name!  What is up with that?  But mostly because of his method of lubing the input splines for the transmission.  Just sliding the tranny back might be o.k. for a cursory examination, but not for a lube, IMHO.   I do have to thank him for his link to us, and the other sites, as well.

When it comes to tires, his bike is a mono-shock, and yours is a twin shock.  There are a lot of differences between the two.  Do you have an owners manual?

[its_only_me]

Hi, and welcome, nice to see another member with an LS, there has been a few of us this year

as for the tyre question, I run a tubeless rear with a tube on my CB750K, it is fine, and was the recomended tyre from the manufacturer.

Good luck with the bike.

Kevin.

[Ed Miller]

Thanks!
Actually, to clarify, I had not even considered running without tubes.  Just wondering if tubes in a tubeless type tire are a bad idea.

When last I ever asked that, back in the day, the answer was, "don't do it, the tire will overheat..."

All I've read that happens is you drop a speed rating, like a V rated tire will drop to a (what ever is slower than V) if you use a tube in it.  Since the top speed on my R65 is about 105 mph, I haven't worried about it.

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Bill,

Tubes OK with Tubless carcass on the BMW.

110.80-18  You would be a test pilot on this one!  I Suspect that it will handle quicker than you want it to...

I would contact Bridgestone and see what the minimum rim width for that tire is.  I suspect that the 1.85" front rim on your LS will be too small for that lower profile tire.

I have a 110/90H18 Macadam Rear Tire on the front of my R65 (LT) (turned around) because of the extra weight I'm carrying around: Luftmeister Fairing and 3 large Givi bags.  I had to modify the fender mounting points to get the fender to fit around the tire without rubbing.  You may not have this problem with a 110/80 Bridgestone as it will (probably) be a smaller diameter than my 90 series Macadam.  Good luck.

Most people put a 100/90 H or V-18 on the front of a nakked R65.

If Michelin made a 3.25H18 Macadam I would buy it in a heartbeat.  

[alkay191]

I had Bridgestones BT45s on my thumper and think they are OK. Just OK.... Not in the same ballpark as Metz 33/88 or 880. That would be my choice for sport-touring. I would not go bigger than 100 front and 110 or 120 rear on the street. Lightweight bikes actually benefit from smaller size tires.
If you "must" have big tires.....Avon makes a 130/650x18 that is designed for narrow rim. Too expencive for the street though at $180....and you have to space the wheel out to the left to clear swing-arm. I just did it on the race bike with no ill effects.

[Red_Chili]

Good info, all - thanks!

"I had Bridgestones BT45s on my thumper and think they are OK. Just OK.... Not in the same ballpark as Metz 33/88 or 880."

How so?  Got specifics on differences, stickiness, rain groove behavior, etc.?

[alkay191]

Good info, all - thanks!

"I had Bridgestones BT45s on my thumper and think they are OK. Just OK.... Not in the same ballpark as Metz 33/88 or 880."

How so?  Got specifics on differences, stickiness, rain groove behavior, etc.?

They felt "heavy" and "bulky" when cornering. Rear seemed to have a flatter profile. Maybe I'm just partial to Pirelli/Metzeler, but I have total confidence in them. Motorcycling is a mental thing.... If you "feel" confident you go faster, lean harder,etc.
Back in '95-96 I racked up almost 13K on a set of 88s on my K100rs and that included 3 track days.