Tyre comments

[Tony Smith]

90/90-18 front, 120/90-18 rear. This is an '86 R-65 with the single sided swingarm and I have about 3/8" clearance between the tire and arm.

Ah! Mine's an 84 so I can't fit "big' width tyres.

[nhmaf]

There is a difference in swingarm clearance on the monolevers versus the twinshock as far as tires go, but I haven't owned both types of airheads at the same time to give a good numerical analysis.

[DonC]

Tony,
For what it's worth I just measured the mounted rear tire and it measures 4 9/16" or 117mm at its widest point. That's at 33.5psi or 2.3bar where I run the rear pressure.
Stock rims MTH 2.50 x 18E...whatever that means??

[Barry]

117mm isn't so bad.

That would just about fit in my early model twin shock and the early ones I think are least accommodating.

[Tony Smith]

I've ordered my new tyres.

Pirelli sport demons - 100/90 front and 110/90 rear.

[DonC]

Pirelli...good tires! Let us know how they work out.

[Tony Smith]

Pirelli...good tires! Let us know how they work out.

Will do - I am currently running Pirelli city Demons but they no longer make a 4:00-18 rear or any metric equivalent.

[Matt Chapter]

Pirelli sport demons - 100/90 front and 110/90 rear.

I got super excited and went to look... Pirelli doesn't offer a 90/90 18 size.  They have the 120 / 90 I'd prefer to run on my monoshock but even though I rarely have matched tire wear I occasionally like to have the same model on the front and back.  The one time I tried a 100/90 in the front I disliked how it changed the steering.  Luckily my front tire is practically new.

[drewsonofdean]

I got some Bridgestone Spitfire's, pretty good so far!!

[drewsonofdean]

And they are on special at jakewilson.com

[tunnelrider]

I'm running Ribaldi Wild Horse on/off road tyres, 4.10 rear for my twinshock, 3.50 front.  They're made in Brazil, on my 2nd set after going through two sets of expensive Metzelers too quickly and trying Dunlop Arrowmax, which I was quite happy with but severely shortened the life of the rear doing a couple of burnouts
I'm impressed with the Ribaldi's stickyness once they're warm and the first set I had the rear lasted 9K km.  Another good thing is they cost only $80NZ each, about $73 Aus dollars. Being semi knobblys (with road bias) they are noisy on smooth roads though.  I ride the poor thing reasonably hard and the Ribaldi's stick well.

[Tony Smith]

I bought Shinko tyres front and rear - thanks to all those who commented favorably on the brand.

The front is now fitted to the K100 front wheel that will be going onto the R65, the rear is waiting for the LS rear wheel, axle and spacer I've bought to arrive - this is a cunning plot on my part to keep it all looking OEM, the K-bike front pattern looks identical to the LS pattern unless you look very closely. I got the wheel for cheap as it has a pretty big flat spot in it, however a local business has looked at the photos and reckons they can roll it out.

If they cannot I will be tempted to fit an R80 subframe and the R80 monolever I have in stock.

[Ed Miller]

I can't find Ribaldi Wild Horse tires on Google, is that worded right?  I just wanted to see what they looked like.  I bought some Dunlop K70s for my Triumph, they look like they'll be good at least for gravel roads.  Not available in an 18" front though. 

[tunnelrider]

I can't find Ribaldi Wild Horse tires on Google, is that worded right?  I just wanted to see what they looked like.

I just had a search Ed and (ahem) you're right, I got the spelling wrong sorry.  Rinaldi WH21, available in 18 inch front and back.  I've got a 2.75 front (70mm, narrow!) and 4.10 rear (104mm).  Still I haven't found them much different riding corners, perhaps the bike tends to dive in to the corner a bit quicker.
http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/products/633-rinaldi_trail/6478-rinaldi_wh21_trail_tyre.aspx

[Ed Miller]

This page lists a 90-90/18 but says it's not available right now.  They look like an interesting tread pattern.

https://www.varellamotos.com.br/pneus-para-motos/off-road/rinaldi-wh21/m?dep=000001&art=000015&sessao=000032