OK, so who's runnin' 16" motorcycle front tires??

OK, I run a set on the front of my HA/GR and they have been there for four years. These are Harley take offs that I got from a dealer for $2.00 each.
My son has a set on the front of his "coupster" and has had no problems with them.
The only thing about running them on the front is you have very little traction in a panic stop, they will lock up and slide.
Both sets of these are rear tires that we are running on the front.
Robert

 

That's cool right there. I heard those were fast full dress - must freaking SCREAM all torn down like that. Bad ***.

 

14 K is the best mileage you'll get on an Electraglide rear tire.

 

I know a bunch of guys are going to say how they have run Motorcycle tires for years without problems, but i can tell you for a fact, having been in the motorcycle wheel manufacturing business that the DOT Spec for the true diameter of a motorcycle tire is NOT the same as it is for a car tire and therefore they do not seat properly on the rim. Every motorcycle tire manufacturer I spoke too (Dunlop, Avon ,Metzler) agrees that it was unsafe to run motorcycle tires on a car for two reasons, the actual size as mentioned above and the construction differences due to the loading of the tire (lean vs non leaning) in a corner.
Not going to argue about anyone doing it, just laying out some facts.

 

That would be me. Coker 5.00x16 Vintage HD tires up front on the '36 (my Avitar) and two summers of use, including a couple of long trips now. No problems, they have a normal wear pattern, and so far in terms of milage/service life, far exceeding how long tires lasted on my '61 Panhead bagger. They are stable and feel good in the rain as well, although with posi, 400 hp, and skinny bias plys on the back as well, I don't push it into corners hard on wet pavement. Like you, I like the whitewalls on both sides, it's neat looking.

I'd like to see those 600 lb Harleys everybody is talking about, mine weighed in at almost 800, not counting two up and full bags.

Drive fast. Take chances. Stop worrying, isn't this a Hot Rot message board? I'm not saying that they're meant for use on a car, nor that us on a car would be endorsed by corperate types who don't want to be sued by someone for "non intended use", I'm just saying...

Brian

 

x10

Oh yeah and if you have an erection for more than 4 hours - go see your doctor!

 

I run the Shinko dual white walls on my bike with no problem at all, they wear nicer than the radials on my girls Sporty and the Avons on her Shovel! I've had them in rain, even in snow (not too fun), on twisties and even the beautiful NY roads like the BQE and Belt Parkway, they hold up nice! And they got for about $125 each.

 

I have HD wide whites on my pontiac. I looked for the largest tire with the heaviest load rating. Bought them brand new and never had a problem. 3000 miles and still like new. 454 hanging over them.. No vibrations, shakes. I would do it again in a minute.

 

Just because some people have run bike tires on the front of there rod and not had problems doesn't make it right or safe. To many variables here. Brakes traction road conditions weather all factor in. I have been in the tire busines since 1970 and have seen some crazy ******** go on. Do what ever you want BUT you might want to find an empty parking lot or something and try some panic stops and see what happens.

 

Amen, I remember when I worked in a tire store back in the 70's when the Low Riders used to come in and have us mount 5.20's on a 7" Supreme and then go put them on a Pig of an Impala. They used to pump them up to something like 50 lbs to keep them on the rim!

 

Sweet bike Big Nick!

Is it me, or is the Hamb getting more "street rodder" whipped?

 

People should do this REGARDLESS, it is called being a safe driver and knowing your cars capabilities and limitations! For the record my T stopped well and did not skid the fronts.

Sorta, but we had the same discussion years ago when av8 built Old Bluey and replaced his cycle tires with car tires.

 

Ya know they repop 16" indian m/c tires......

 

just make damn sure you get the high speed ones . I like motorcycle tires . I got em on all my scooters. Avons.

 

The original motorcycle tires were still holding air on my roadster in 2007 when I replaced them with new ones, although they were hard as a rock when I took em off. It made it a real pain to try and stretch them out over the rim by hand. I kept one of them for posterity.

As for endurance or safety, Ray (family member who owned my roadster) drove my roadster as a daily driver every day all week and then drove from South Gate to Adelento to race Elmo every SCTA season from 47-49 with these type of tires and topped them out at 115.97mph. I have had my roadster up to about 65-70 mph but not for a very long distance, still no troubles. I've put no Cali freeway miles on them yet. Well, I did but that's another story and it had nothing to do with tires.