TIRES FOR A 45 YEAR OLD BIKE?

1978 Doesn't seem that long ago but I guess it was.
I just purchased a 1978 KZ650B with original wire wheels and I assume tube type tires. It's in good shape the tires look quite bad. The front is a Goodyear--yikes.
Question: what does one do for hopefully modern-ish tires on an old gal like this? Does the old wink-wink-nod-nod bike shop axiom of running a tube in a tubeless tire still apply?
If anyone has suggestions for brand and size I'd appreciate it.

I have a Dunlop F11 on my front and Dunlop K87 on the back of my KZ650.  Tire specs are stock.

I've been running these since 2014. They're great. 
Steve
Free shipping
www.chapmoto.com/shinko-230-tour-master-rear-tire.html
www.chapmoto.com/shinko-230-tour-master-front-tire.html

Tubeless tires are fine, as long as you install a tube inside.

Most people run a 100/90-19 front tire, and either a 110 or 120/90-18 in the rear.  

Thanks. I see your invisible monster graphic.

I watched Johnny Quest with all three of my sons and we enjoyed it so much. Yes, I saw it when it was originally on TV although only once or twice.

"Let's paint it dad!"
"Johnny you might have something there ..."

 

If you can get them in your size I would suggest Continental ContiMotion sport touring tires. I have them on two of my bikes and really like them.
They are about $180/pair.

Got these on my 81 KZ750H. Cycle gear gives me a vet discount plus they were on sale. $161 for the set. I took the wheels up to cycle gear to get them mounted....I think it was $25 a tire. 

www.cyclegear.com/tires/shinko-712-tires

 

We've been running Conti Twins on our wire-wheel Z1's for decades.  Classic looks on a modern tire.

www.continental-tires.com/motorcycle/tir...ort-classic/rb2-k112

Good Ridin"
slmjim & Z1BEBE

As no one has mentioned them I'm guessing you can't get Avon Roadriders 2 in the US?
Pretty much everyone in the UK uses these and rate them very highly. 
I have 7 Z bikes and have them on all of them. 

Definitely try Continental tires. They aren’t as well known in the US as other brands. I have their Road Attack 3 on my naked sporting bike and they’re amazing. They stick like glue to the road, wear great and you can actually feel feedback from the surface. I'm hooked.

Warren3200gt wrote:

As no one has mentioned them I'm guessing you can't get Avon Roadriders 2 in the US?
Pretty much everyone in the UK uses these and rate them very highly. 
I have 7 Z bikes and have them on all of them. 


They sell Avon Roadrider II's here in the US. We have them on over half of our bikes.





 

I'm a big fan of the Avon Roadrider 2. I'll be replacing the Bridgestones on my GPz with those soon.