Tire fitment issue

I believe you should be happy the Distanzia tires wouldn't mount on the rims. You are better off with the Bridgestones. The AVON Distanzia is a dual purpose tire intended for use on big dual purpose bikes (much bigger than a KZ550). I think you would have been disappointed in their performance on your bike. Here's the Revzilla review of the Distanzia. Ed

swest wrote: Avons. I've seen them used on choppers, Hd's and the like. Never liked them.
Steve

Avon Roadriders are excellent tires for old UJM's . Very sticky and they wear well. About 85% as sticky as Sport Demons but they wear twice as long.

my 81 550 A has tubeless tires. R

Carwash, can you post some pics of the wheel and tire? This would help. I'm running Avons on one of my KZ1000 and they are higher end tires, I would like to see the powder coating job that was done on your wheel.

Doug

new tube-type Bridgestones are on. bike is feeling great.

I have problems seating the bead frequently with my old bikes (KZ's, Kawi triples, etc.) Some of the old timer mechanics have told me it was how the rims were made back then. They suggested using WD40 or Armor All for lubricant between the tire and the rim and that's how I get it to seat. PLUS - going up to 100 PSI multiple times, checking the bead, deflating and trying again.

If the bead is nowhere close to seating correctly, I take a rubber mallet and bang on the tire to unseat it off the rim, then re-inflate. It takes awhile but it works.

Wear safety goggles and be very careful when inflating to high psi. If the bead pops off the rim, the tube will burst quickly and it could be like an explosion in your face. Never happened to me with motorcycle tires but I've seen it with bicycle tires.

I use a weak dish soap solution and a rubber mallet. It might take two or three tries.
Steve

I use a weak dish soap solution and a rubber mallet. It might take two or three tries.
Steve