Tires

I was reading a post about how old tires should be replaced when I realized my tires are old, very old, last century old. I need new tires. Since my tires are vintage kaw standard Z1/Z2 KZ 900 from the Reagan era, Im on original stock spoke rims, front 325-19 and rear 400-18, whats the modern equivalent and what manufacturer is everyone using?I don't know jack about motorcycle tires! I read a few good things about shinko 230s or avon being popular for the vintage bikes, but I can't figure out sizes. So recommend me some tires for my Z2

Ok, I just found the other tire thread here on this board, lots of good info there.

I've been using either Conti Go's or Avon Roadrider's. Available in your stock sizes.

www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_61_75

www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=33_108_871

American Moto Tire is a good dealer too. Free shipping.

The avon and shinko say tubeless, but I still need to run tubes with my stock rims?

markerdown wrote: Are the avon tubeless or do I still run tubes with my stock rims?

Modern tires can be run either way; tubeless or with a tube inside. Do whatever matches your bikes wheels, which I believe are tube type.

You state you are running original stock spoke rims. That being the case, you must run tubes. It's perfectly fine to run tubes in tubeless tires; it is not ok to run any kind of tires without tubes on rims that were designed for tubes (like yours and mine). Be sure to buy new tubes of the correct size and it's a good idea (though not absolutely necessary) to replace the belly bands while you have the tires off. Ed

650ed wrote: You state you are running original stock spoke rims. That being the case, you must run tubes. It's perfectly fine to run tubes in tubeless tires; it is not ok to run any kind of tires without tubes on rims that were designed for tubes (like yours and mine). Be sure to buy new tubes of the correct size and it's a good idea (though not absolutely necessary) to replace the belly bands while you have the tires off. Ed

Well Ed, this may not be the proper venue for the discussion, but lots of guys convert aluminum (mag) wheels to tubeless even though the bike came with tubes originally. In fact I'm pretty confident in saying many of the early Kawasaki "tubeless" wheels were nothing more than the older tube type wheel with a modified valve stem hole and "tubeless" lettering added to the mold.

markerdown wrote: I was reading a post about how old tires should be replaced when I realized my tires are old, very old, last century old. I need new tires. Since my tires are vintage kaw standard Z1/Z2 KZ 900 from the Reagan era, Im on original stock spoke rims, front 325-19 and rear 400-18, whats the modern equivalent and what manufacturer is everyone using?I don't know jack about motorcycle tires! I read a few good things about shinko 230s or avon being popular for the vintage bikes, but I can't figure out sizes. So recommend me some tires for my Z2

Ok, I just found the other tire thread here on this board, lots of good info there.

I'm running Shinko SR 712's on my 77' KZ1000a
Buy new inner tubes and rim rubbers.!! Must do!!
Rear is 712R at 120/90-18
Front 712F at 100/90-19
Pretty close to stock and I think they handle very very well.

Shinko 230's. 110/90-19 and 120/90=18. Going back to the 130/90-18. From what I can tell I got no more milage with the 120. Very happy with these tires. Can't beat the price ether.
Steve

Nessism wrote:

650ed wrote: You state you are running original stock spoke rims. That being the case, you must run tubes. It's perfectly fine to run tubes in tubeless tires; it is not ok to run any kind of tires without tubes on rims that were designed for tubes (like yours and mine). Be sure to buy new tubes of the correct size and it's a good idea (though not absolutely necessary) to replace the belly bands while you have the tires off. Ed

Well Ed, this may not be the proper venue for the discussion, but lots of guys convert aluminum (mag) wheels to tubeless even though the bike came with tubes originally. In fact I'm pretty confident in saying many of the early Kawasaki "tubeless" wheels were nothing more than the older tube type wheel with a modified valve stem hole and "tubeless" lettering added to the mold.

His wheels aren't the cast type, they are originals with spokes so tubes definitely are needed.

As far as folks running without tubes on older cast wheels, some have done that, but keep in mind that it introduces some risks. For example - tubeless type rims generally (maybe not always) have a different shape (ridges - see 1st image below) that keeps the tire seated if air pressure is lost. Also, like his original rear wire wheel, rear tube-type cast wheels often have 2 extra holes for rim-locks (see 2nd image) which depending on how well they are plugged may leak air if no tubes are used. I wouldn't run without tubes on my KZ650-C1 cast wheels, but if others wish to do so they should understand the risks. Ed

swest wrote: Shinko 230's. 110/90-19 and 120/90=18. Going back to the 130/90-18. From what I can tell I got no more milage with the 120. Very happy with these tires. Can't beat the price ether.
Steve

So are 110/90-19 and a 130/90-18 taller or fatter tires opposed to 100/90-19 and 120/90-18??

Yeah, I figured I need new tubes and those rubber bands. I think my rear rim as a a chunk of rubber on the inside too. I have to see what shape thats in and possibly replace.

The 110 is a really tight fit. The 130 is a little taller. I put a 120 on there to see if I got more mileage but I liked the way the 130 handled better. I ride a lot of dirt roads out here and in the high desert. For your Z2 a 100/90 and a 120/90 would be just fine.
Steve

You'll be better off with a 100/90-19 front and 120/90-18 rear. The 110 front is too wide for the rim and may even rub the inner part of the fender bolts depending on how wide the 110 is (not all 110 tires are the same - explanation below). Also, is will make the front steer a bit heavy. The 130 can be shoehorned onto the rear rim, but when you do that the cross-section is deformed leaving no more (maybe even less) tread on the pavement. I ran 130/90-18 tires on the rear of my bike for a number of years. They look and work ok but I found the 120/90-18 actually works better.

I have been using Pirelli Sport Demon tires for the past 7 years, and they work exceptionally well; I highly recommend them.

Regarding tire sizes - tires marked with the same sizes can be different widths. It doesn't sound right, but it is true. Even tires from the same manufacturer can differ a LOT if they are different model tires. The 1st image below is an example. Both tires are Michelin front tires. Both are size 100/90-19. One is a Michelin Macadam 50E; the other is a Michelin A-48. Notice the difference in width. These tires are not mounted, but the difference is the same when they are mounted and filled with air. The bottom picture below shows the Pirelli Sport Demon tires. Ed