What was the original rear tire?

[redbug2]

Hello,

On the 75 RE-5 what was the original rear tire? Is it still available? If not, what's the closest vintage tire match?

I'm more interested in bringing the bike back to the stock look than how it rides.

Thanks.

redbug2

[mike500]

tyre was 4.00 x 18 avon do a classic tyre in that size called Safety Mileage MkII and for the front they do the Speedmaster MkII
www.avonmotorcycle.com/ is there web site

[bdalameda]

If I remember the Re5's in the US originally came with IRC or Bridgestone tires. Not sure what model tire though.

Dan

[kettle738]

The original tyres were probably (but not definitely) Bridgestone Grand Speed 4.00X18 rear and 3.25x19 front......or possibly even Dunlop Gold Seals. I believe these were the most commonly fitted tyres.

The Dunlop Gold seals have been reproduced and are available in the UK from Z Power. I have a set fitted to my CB750 and while the tread pattern looks pukka they have a large carcass and to my eye look slightly oversize even though they are the specified size. I have a pair of Bridgestone Grand Speeds taken from a 1,200m GT750 and they do look smaller than the Dunlops.

You can also buy them Here

www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&keyword=tires&search_in_description=1&categories_id=&manufacturers_id=&pfrom=&pto=&dfrom=&dto=&x=0&y=0

Failing that, Continental do some excellent tyres in the RB2 and K112 which are a pretty good mimic of a 1970s tread pattern in modern rubber.....I use them and have never been disappointed.

Mick.............kettle738

[HGH 770N]

I have classic style Avon road runners on mine and are readily available at about £55 each.
I added these to my bike in the 1980's when I used the bike for work, They were great in the wet weather so i have replaced like for like ever since.
The original tyres fitted to bikes in the 1970's differed from country to country I remember changing tyres on new imported bikes for UK spec tyres before they could be regestered .
Some of the dry state country tyres were classed as unsuitable for our wet greasy roads..
Rog.

[HGH 770N]

Hi Guy's
I have looked back at old original magazine tests/ adds.
The tyres differ from UK and USA tests and then differ again between 1975 and 1976.
I can't read the brand names but the show a different pattern.
Rog

[bdalameda]

I can remember even the US bikes came with different tires sometimes. I believe some had IRC tires as well as Bridgestones.

[kettle738]

Speaking of IRC tyres; if you live in the US, you are very fortunate because you can easily buy the IRC GS-11 range of tyres.

This is a tyre that is marketed as a budget tyre, but the tread pattern mimics 1970s Japanese tyres. I imported a set to the UK for my GT750 and love them, but although they are cheap in the US they are eye wateringly expensive by the time the postie turns up with them in the UK.

I would buy another couple of sets if there was a way to get them here that didn't break the bank.

Here are some on US ebay.

www.ebay.com/itm/GS-11-BIAS-GENERAL-REPLACEMENT-TIRES-400H18-REAR-IRC-/170724569312?hash=item27bffa30e0&item=170724569312&pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Mick........kettle738

[penny900r]

most suzukis for our and the European market ran irc tyres... inou rubber company, seventys gts were turned out on them, also mo peds<50cc> i have some early eightys bikes that should have had them on from new too. patterns changed occasionally with modernisation etc etc... avon speed masters are associated with horrible unreliable british iron... i think its because they are oil resistant, which suits the british exon valdez bikes!!