Tire size and mods

1967 Tempest · 05-18-2010, 06:03 PM

The 1968 Scrambler that I am fixing is going to take less time than I thought. The tires are holding air, but the outer rubber is dry rotten and I dont trust them.

The front is 3.00X19
The rear is 3.50X18

The front is not the issue, but can I put a 4 or 4.5 in the back??

Thanks
Dave

tylernt · 05-27-2010, 05:27 PM

Often wider rims (or even wider tires on the stock rim) will strike the swingarm.

Are tires not available for your OEM rim?

1967 Tempest · 05-27-2010, 06:15 PM

They are, just looks thin.

markk53 · 05-28-2010, 05:41 PM

I will say you probably can run a 100/90-19 on the front and a 110/90-on the rear without much problem. Those are what is frequently recommended for the old 350s and such. I believe that was what we used to sell to all the guys with 350s and such. Most of us back when used to replace the 3.50 rears with 4.00s. I believe I did so on my 75 Kawasaki S3 400 triple and my brother did so with his RD400.

I do have a question if you're referring to an old CL72/77 Honda 250/305Scrambler - who replaced the back wheel, they were usually 19s front and rear.

1967 Tempest · 05-28-2010, 05:51 PM

Yes it is a Scrambler and you are correct. But it is a 3.50/18 in rear and 19/3 in front.

JAG · 11-27-2011, 10:40 PM

Is the discussion above applicable to the '72/'73 scramblers as well?

In addition, does anyone have any thoughts regarding how aggressive a tire one can use while still being able to travel 65 or 70 mph safely?

Thanks

markk53 · 11-28-2011, 04:46 PM

It should work on the later years too. If you want to run real authentic tires, get a pair of Dunlop K70s if they'll fit. I ran them on my old SR500 single no problems at any speed I ran, plus they work fairly well on dirt/gravel since they were run on flat trackers pre-1975 or so.

JAG · 11-28-2011, 06:47 PM

That's good to know, although I am looking to get as aggressive as I can without completely sacrificing highway performance/safety.

I plan on using the bike in northern minnesota where there are a lot of defunct iron mines interlaced with trails and unmaintained roads, and also old logging roads. Essentially I would like to be able to blast along the paved highways, then drop off-road and explore wherever there are interesting places to do that. So I need to strike a balance between off-road and pavement performance.

Any advice on that is appreciated.

Also I am considering gearing the bike down a little so that I won't need to feather the clutch at very low speeds while navigating between trees, rocks, etc.

Thanks

CLCRAZY · 08-07-2012, 07:48 PM

Been looking thru older posts and this is exactly my question....My 72 Cl350 looks anemic with that 350/18 on the back...I want a beefy tire back there. But, I dont like the look of the metric tires. Want a vintage look. Any suggestions?

05-18-2010, 06:03 PM	#1
1967 Tempest Verified Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 90	Tire size and mods The 1968 Scrambler that I am fixing is going to take less time than I thought. The tires are holding air, but the outer rubber is dry rotten and I dont trust them. The front is 3.00X19 The rear is 3.50X18 The front is not the issue, but can I put a 4 or 4.5 in the back?? Thanks Dave

05-27-2010, 05:27 PM	#2
tylernt Special Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 663	Often wider rims (or even wider tires on the stock rim) will strike the swingarm. Are tires not available for your OEM rim? __________________ '07 Ninja 500R, formerly '81 Yamaha XS400

05-28-2010, 05:41 PM	#4
markk53 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 3,239	I will say you probably can run a 100/90-19 on the front and a 110/90-on the rear without much problem. Those are what is frequently recommended for the old 350s and such. I believe that was what we used to sell to all the guys with 350s and such. Most of us back when used to replace the 3.50 rears with 4.00s. I believe I did so on my 75 Kawasaki S3 400 triple and my brother did so with his RD400. I do have a question if you're referring to an old CL72/77 Honda 250/305Scrambler - who replaced the back wheel, they were usually 19s front and rear. __________________ KLX650C, Zephyr 550 SR500, Bultaco Sherpa T

11-27-2011, 10:40 PM	#6
JAG Newbie Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 5	Follow-Up on Tire Sizes Is the discussion above applicable to the '72/'73 scramblers as well? In addition, does anyone have any thoughts regarding how aggressive a tire one can use while still being able to travel 65 or 70 mph safely? Thanks

11-28-2011, 04:46 PM	#7
markk53 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 3,239	It should work on the later years too. If you want to run real authentic tires, get a pair of Dunlop K70s if they'll fit. I ran them on my old SR500 single no problems at any speed I ran, plus they work fairly well on dirt/gravel since they were run on flat trackers pre-1975 or so. __________________ KLX650C, Zephyr 550 SR500, Bultaco Sherpa T Last edited by markk53; 11-28-2011 at 04:48 PM..

05-27-2010, 06:15 PM	#3
1967 Tempest Verified Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 90	They are, just looks thin.

05-28-2010, 05:51 PM	#5
1967 Tempest Verified Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 90	Yes it is a Scrambler and you are correct. But it is a 3.50/18 in rear and 19/3 in front.

11-28-2011, 06:47 PM	#8
JAG Newbie Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 5	That's good to know, although I am looking to get as aggressive as I can without completely sacrificing highway performance/safety. I plan on using the bike in northern minnesota where there are a lot of defunct iron mines interlaced with trails and unmaintained roads, and also old logging roads. Essentially I would like to be able to blast along the paved highways, then drop off-road and explore wherever there are interesting places to do that. So I need to strike a balance between off-road and pavement performance. Any advice on that is appreciated. Also I am considering gearing the bike down a little so that I won't need to feather the clutch at very low speeds while navigating between trees, rocks, etc. Thanks

08-07-2012, 07:48 PM	#9
CLCRAZY Newbie Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 5	Been looking thru older posts and this is exactly my question....My 72 Cl350 looks anemic with that 350/18 on the back...I want a beefy tire back there. But, I dont like the look of the metric tires. Want a vintage look. Any suggestions?

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