tires

[john69]

With all the assistance I have received on this forum I somehow have managed to get my 81 up and running and actually half way decent looking. I have taken it out on a couple of 10 mile rides and the bike seem to run and handle quite well in spite of being 38 years old.
I think the tires on the bike are the originals and I fear a blowout of some sort. I found the date but have not been able to translate it. I gave the numbers to the local Yamaha dealer and he said due to the age he could not give me an exact production date (I do not think he put much effort into it) but he was confident they were past due for replacement.
I am wondering if anyone can recommend a good/decent replacement tire. I expect to ride the bike several times a year and average maybe 500mile/year. I will not be out in the rain and I am a pretty slow rider. I plan on staying with the stock size.

 

[Downeaster]

It's not a super-bike and you won't be doing a lot of peg-dragging or track days.

Any modern tire will be fine. I used Bridgestones on mine, some folks like a more classic look.

 

[5twins]

Yes, this is no high powered road burner and most don't get pushed that hard. I run the cheap Shinkos, or anything else I might find low priced like them.

 

[john69]

Yes, this is no high powered road burner and most don't get pushed that hard. I run the cheap Shinkos, or anything else I might find low priced like them.

as a follow up question can a person with some skill and two tire irons change the tires themselves on a spoked rim 650?

 

[member28833]

can a person with some skill and two tire irons change the tires themselves on a spoked rim 650?

Well that is a tough question.
- Have you changed tires before ?
- Rims are the chrome steel ones ?
- Good quality tire irons may be enough if both of the above are yes.
Pinching tubes resulting in a re-do is never any fun.
Then there is the question of any exlerience "static" balancing tires ? (wheel bearings must be good)
Bottom line, yes Id do it. But it can be trouble.

 

[TwoManyXS1Bs]

Well that is a tough question...

Ditto. There's YouTube vids out there showing a variety of techniques, but they're missing some subtle fine details, do's and dont's. Not to be pursued lightly, there's some serious forces requiring some muscle, and stout fingers. In the shop environment, you learn from others, and while others hover over you, and pick-up those subtle techniques. And, of course, expect to pinch/slice a few inner tubes during apprenticeship...