16 or 18?

[CrabbyCustoms]

Morning,
I need to order some tires and i'm having difficulty figuring out my rear rim size?

I searched the archives and assumed I had 4.00H18-4PR - 110/90-18.
but on further digging I noticed that some people mentioned a 16 inch - 130/90-16?

My bike is a 77-78
I read in a post that In 78 they made three models. The standard, the Special and the Special II. The standard had an 18 inch rear, the Special had the mag 16 inch, the Special II had an 18 inch front and 16 rear alloy.

When I measure my rim (lip to lip) it measures 17inchs? Any idea if it's a 16in or an 18inch?

Thanks!

I'm trying not to ask stupid questions but I wanna order the correct size tires!

 

[member28833]

Put the scale down lol. Read that 5.0-16 there on your Avon ?
You happen to have the very rare 79' 16" aluminum rear rim there in the pic.
-R

 

[CrabbyCustoms]

Put the scale down lol. Read that 5.0-16 there on your Avon ?
You happen to have the very rare 79' 16" aluminum rear rim there in the pic.
-R

Thanks Machine! I did see the 16 but couldn't figure out why the rime measured 17?
so I need 130/90-16? (which I can't seem to find?)

My problem is that this huge Avon Tire won't fit under my fender? Will any tire?

 

[member28833]

Ya, that Avon looks real wide there across the tread. You could search out a 130/90-16 but there is also a size "compromise" that has tempted me before.
A MT90-16 Harley rear Dunlop 404 might fit ?
I'm headed home and may have better info soon
-R

 

[member28833]

Here is a pic kinda showing the height difference between a Shinko 5.0-16 and a Dunlop D404 130/90-16
Though the Dunlop D404 rear is a great tire, the D404 front has a poor reputation. I am trying out a D401 Harley front to roll with the rear D404..

 

[CrabbyCustoms]

I'm headed home and may have better info soon

Thanks! I did find some Shinko 712's which lots of members seem to like but they are tubeless so i'm not sure how that works?

I've always loved the Dunlop K70's but can't seem to find 130/90-16?

 

[member28833]

Run tubes in the Shinkos, all good

 

[CrabbyCustoms]

Run tubes in the Shinkos, all good

Done. Thank you!

 

[5twins]

A tubeless tire will work fine with a tube in it. That's what most of us roll on. It's very hard to find tube only tires today.

 

[CrabbyCustoms]

Here is a pic kinda showing the height difference between a Shinko 5.0-16 and a Dunlop D404 130/90-16

Actually I found a Dunlop D404 nearby. So you're saying that the Dunlop D404 has a lower profile than the Shinko? definitely height is a concern with my fender.

 

[member28833]

Saying a Dunlop D404 130/90-16 is a shorter tire than a Shinko, or any 5.0-16.

 

[CrabbyCustoms]

Saying a Dunlop D404 130/90-16 is a shorter tire than a Shinko, or any 5.0-16.

Perfect! I've ordered it. I was going to order the D401for the front but it has Harley stamped on it? Have you ever found it without Harley stamped on it?

Thanks Machine for all your help!

 

[member28833]

Nice ! This will be fun to hear more of. I think they all have "Harley Davidson" molded letters.
Great tire choices I'm hoping as well.
-R

 

[5twins]

I thought the 404 was the non-Harley version of the 401? Compare tread patterns, I think you'll find them the same. My buddy has run several sets of the 404's without issues.

 

[member28833]

Actually the "Harley" 401F is an entirely different front tire. Seen here next to the D404 I took off. See how the tread pattern direction matches the rear non Harley D404 ? It's a much better match and most likely a better tire. The tread outside edges are more like the rear 404 too.

 

[member28833]

There, added front & rear tread pics..

 

[Brassneck]

Make sure you check the front tire size...pretty sure it will be a 19" rim. I think I saw you stated 18"...which would not be correct, I don't think.

 

[CrabbyCustoms]

I wanted to follow up this post. I found a post that mentioned Shinko 240's as a good solution to my problems. I purchased them (Whitewalls) and they fit almost perfectly. Here they are next to the Avon MK11 5.0, the Shinko are considerably thinner and shorter.

The wheel just needs to be pushed over about 3mm. to center it under the fender. Can I just put in a spacer on one side?

 

[GLJ]

You want your rear sprocket to be inline with the countershaft sprocket. When you get the engine in check that. If the fender is not centered on the tire the fender needs to move not the rear hub. It is also possible the rim is not centered on the hub correctly.

 

[CrabbyCustoms]

got it, thanks.