Tires...

'83 KZ550 LTD

love the shaft drive.
hate the long hours of research to find parts and materials (no shop will touch it for 100mi).


i've put some 5700mi on it since i bought it this past Feb. for the sake of getting more out of my paycheck and it's paid for itself in fuel savings alone.


but..

i have to ask several questions:

1. other than stock tires sizes, which others will fit on the bike?

• front tire stock size: 100/90-19 57S
• rear tire stock size: 130/90-16 67S
• current front: [strike]5.32-19[/strike] 3.25-19 (non-stock; previous owner)
• current rear: 130/90-16 (stock)

if i should put a different size tire on, what would be effected?

do i need to concern myself with speed ratings beyond stock?

this is my daily commuter (unless there is snow or ice, i'm riding) and i need a better mileage off the new tires... can you suggest a method for determining compound durability?

brands aside, i'm looking for significant changes in my tires immediately but i have to order them in and that takes time.

any thoughts are appreciated.

I give up - what is a 5.32x19 tire? :S It does not sound like you are trying to race the bike on the street so if it was mine I would replace the tires using stock sizes. Wider tires will degrade fuel economy; narrower tires will degrade safety. Stock speed ratings should be fine, but decent tires would likely be higher speed ratings and a bit stiffer (that's a good thing) than the originals. Regarding durability, if you find tires from a quality manufacturer that are designated for touring rather than sport riding you may find they last for many miles. Ed

In addition to what 650Ed said, most (maybe all) of the major tire manufacturers (Avon, Michelin, Dunlop, Metzeler, Bridgestone, etc) have fitment charts on their website. Any modern tire of the correct size from a major manufacturer will out perform the tires of the 1970s and '80s. As 650Ed pointed out, for a bike that is used primarily for commuting, a touring or sport touring tire will give the best compromise of wear, traction, comfort, noise and such.

the oddball front tire is a Michelin Macadam; i got the numbers wrong: 3.25-19 (it was dark; i'll correct it) and i am not able to see any other markings what would denote size.

Michelin only has front tire sizing in the Pilot Activ line; full sets available with the Commander line.



however, i've been looking at some Dunlop tires.


Dunlop suggests (from dunlopmotorcycle.com ):

GT 501 in 100/90-19 (front) and 130/90B16 (rear)
or
Elite 3 Bias in MM90-19 (front) and MT90B16 (rear)

rampantsanity wrote: '83 KZ550 LTD



i have to ask several questions:

1. other than stock tires sizes, which others will fit on the bike?

• front tire stock size: 100/90-19 57S
• rear tire stock size: 130/90-16 67S
• current front: 3.25-19 (non-stock; previous owner)
• current rear: 130/90-16 (stock)

actually, I believe the stock size front would be something like 3.25-19 or some kind of English size close to that. The metrics didn't come until later on. My stock front was 3.25-19 and the metric "equivalent" (closest size) to it I now run is 100-90-19 so I think that is the right size for you.

The stock rear for mine was 4.00 - 18 and I now run 110-90-18. I understand the 16 inch wheels ran a fatter tire so 130 metric is probably the right ballpark.

rampantsanity wrote: brands aside, i'm looking for significant changes in my tires immediately but i have to order them in and that takes time.

any thoughts are appreciated.

the Bridgeston Battlax BT-45 tires have gotten very good reviews on the net and give a good compromise of price, performance and mileage.


www.nextag.com/bridgestone-battlax/stores-html# !

www.chaparral-racing.com/Product/bridges...7c175_a_7c330_d_0748

Michelin Macadam front tires come in a size 100/90-19. See pic...

...

650ed wrote: Michelin Macadam front tires come in a size 100/90-19.

yes...

however, that is not what is on the bike now. i have confirmed that the numbers i corrected do exist.


...

bountyhunter wrote: actually, I believe the stock size front would be something like 3.25-19 or some kind of English size close to that. The metrics didn't come until later on. My stock front was 3.25-19 and the metric "equivalent" (closest size) to it I now run is 100-90-19 so I think that is the right size for you.

The stock rear for mine was 4.00 - 18 and I now run 110-90-18. I understand the 16 inch wheels ran a fatter tire so 130 metric is probably the right ballpark.

the US did, in fact, convert to metric in the late 70s . the cost to get all the cookbooks in the nation changed was prohibitive and therefore no one really followed suit. the bike is metric; i can confirm that with every single bolt on the bike. the tires are also metric as every manual, sticker, and booklet confirms the tire sizes. i have a Haynes, Clymer, and an original motorcycle operator's manual (affectionately known as MOM by Team Oregon) to draw from.


the question isn't "which is stock?"; i already have that question answered. i want to know what will fit and what will be safe.

never mind

rampantsanity wrote: ...

650ed wrote: Michelin Macadam front tires come in a size 100/90-19.

yes...

however, that is not what is on the bike now. i have confirmed that the numbers i corrected do exist.


...

bountyhunter wrote: actually, I believe the stock size front would be something like 3.25-19 or some kind of English size close to that. The metrics didn't come until later on. My stock front was 3.25-19 and the metric "equivalent" (closest size) to it I now run is 100-90-19 so I think that is the right size for you.

The stock rear for mine was 4.00 - 18 and I now run 110-90-18. I understand the 16 inch wheels ran a fatter tire so 130 metric is probably the right ballpark.

the US did, in fact, convert to metric in the late 70s . the cost to get all the cookbooks in the nation changed was prohibitive and therefore no one really followed suit. the bike is metric; i can confirm that with every single bolt on the bike. the tires are also metric as every manual, sticker, and booklet confirms the tire sizes. i have a Haynes, Clymer, and an original motorcycle operator's manual (affectionately known as MOM by Team Oregon) to draw from.


the question isn't "which is stock?"; i already have that question answered. i want to know what will fit and what will be safe.

Yes, as you say the '83 KZ550 Shaft specs called for metric sizes (see pic). As to your question - obviously stock size tires will fit and be safe, so why are you considering using different size tires rather than stock? Do you have a specific goal in mind?

650ed wrote: [

Yes, as you say the '83 KZ550 Shaft specs called for metric sizes (see pic). As to your question - obviously stock size tires will fit and be safe, so why are you considering using different size tires rather than stock? Do you have a specific goal in mind?

yes... tread type.

i live on the dry side of Oregon but that means i don't always have wet roads but they are often graveled instead.

i'm looking for a tire to deal with the standing water and gravel. since i don't have a way to mechanically sipe the tires, i'm looking for something that will help with the summer heat as well.