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Post by rodentrancher on Jun 19, 2006 18:50:14 GMT -5
Looking through the tire recommendations here, the Bridgestone BT-45 seems to get a lot of votes. Looking at the old shop manual I picked up for my SR500E, I see that the stock wheels require tubes. The Bridgestone fitment guide lists a "TT" (tube type) version of the BT-45 for the front wheel (100/90-19), but only the "TL" (tubeless type) in the rear wheel size (110/90-18).
Can I safely figure there won't be any problems from running with a tube in a "TL" type tire? From what I've been able to dig up, seems to be a common practice with bias-ply bike tires.
But, if (as seems to be the case), there aren't any problems with running tubes in "tubeless" bias-ply tires - why do they even make different "TT" and "TL" types?
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Post by StewRoss on Jun 22, 2006 5:05:02 GMT -5
Interesting point....I've never even looked at mine to see what the carcass says...I always run tubes as the rim isn't a tubeless type anyway.
I usually run a 100/90 on the front and a 120/90 on the back....with tubes. Next time I go out to the shed I'll have a look...
Others run 90's on the front and 110's on the rear...your choice...
Neither set up is an real advantage as I see it...possibly the narrower tyres could make the bike steer a little quicker...
SR
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Post by rodentrancher on Aug 19, 2006 13:23:49 GMT -5
Well, whatever the reason for the TT & TL types, the tubless BT-45s are working fine with tubes now on my '78 SR.
One odd thing - to get the stock SR sizes from the distributor servicing Albuquerque, the shop I use had to order a "V" rated Battlax for the front 19-incher, and an "H" rated for the rear. Not that it matters, but seems odd . . .
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Post by StewRoss on Aug 19, 2006 18:22:38 GMT -5
G'day mate, Sorry about that I was going to get back to you wasn't I...it slipped my mind...  I just looked at mine then...it's about 0900 in the morning here...while I can't find the TT/TL stuff on the sidewalls, well in the time that I looked, both have the words 'tubeless' on the sidewalls. From memory the fronts are BT45F and the rears are BT45R... I have been running with these tyres with tubes in them for years now with no ill effect at all. I used to ride one of the SR's to work and back every week day and then up in the hills on the weekend. These tyres work very well in the dry, when you push them hard they just keep holding on. They also work very well on a wet road. In the rain they are confidence inspiring. A couple of years ago I'd ride my Honda SP1 up in the hills on one day and then I'd go up again the next on the SR. After riding the SP1 the poor old SR copped a hammering through the corners; one time I flattened the bottom of the header pipe out on a small reflector in the centre of the road while cornering and the tyres didn't even look like letting go. (Shame, that was a really nice header as well...). In contrast the Michelin Macadam's and the Dunlop Elites that I tried were 'scary' in the wet! Not that amazing in the dry either...of course they would probably have lasted about 20 years...frustrating when you have trouble wearing them out. I also tried mixing them up as well...Mich/Dunlop on the front and BT's on the rear...not a real good idea....you made the right choice in my opinion. SR  |
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Post by rodentrancher on Aug 19, 2006 19:28:13 GMT -5
G'day mate, These tyres work very well in the dry, when you push them hard they just keep holding on. They also work very well on a wet road. In the rain they are confidence inspiring. Darned good to hear - Albuquerque's gotten more rain in the last 3 weeks than in most of the preceeding year. Looks like I'll get a chance to test out the wet-weather handling of the BTs  |
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Post by medic09 on Aug 19, 2006 22:39:37 GMT -5
Hey rodentrancher, tell me more about your bike. I see you're in ABQ. I just got an SR 500 up here in Santa Fe about 10 days ago. Made my first ride to ABQ (to UNM) this past Friday.
Mordechai Y. Scher
Santa Fe
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Post by rodentrancher on Aug 19, 2006 23:24:55 GMT -5
Hey there Mordechai, The bike is a SR500E (1978) I picked up off ebay in June. It's actually my second SR - I bought a SR500G new back in 1980. Had a lot of fun with the G back in the day, 'till I met the proverbial little-old-lady-in-a-station-wagon-who-just-didn't-see-me. Totaled the G (and left me with a firm belief in the value of helmets, once I saw the size of the dent my Bell left in her fender!). Anyway, was away from bikes for about 15 years, when I decided to get back in, I figured to see if I couldn't get another SR. Didn't have much luck locally, finally found this one on ebay. She's pretty darned sweet for a 28 year old bike. Really only needed new tires and shocks (which I've done now), and to get the carburation straightened out (which I'm still working on). Only ridden her about 50 miles so far - she's running so badly lean that I can't really trust throttle response at all. But I've got the jets and the carb rebuild kit, just need time to tear into her and do the Minton mods. Once I've done that, I figure to have the most fun around town/commuter bike ever made Tell me about your ride - did you find her in Santa Fe, or have to go elsewhere to get her? |
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Post by medic09 on Aug 20, 2006 0:00:52 GMT -5
This bike was a total accident. I've started riding after 30 years away from bikes (that's for another post). Took the MSF course in ABQ recently, after starting a project rebuilding a '75 Triumph Trident (also another story). Told my wife I need a ride for now, since it may be quite a while till the Triumph is done. She decided she wants to ride, too. So now the agenda becomes a bike we can share. I want a ride, not a project. I started looking at ads, and saw this '78 SR 500 advertised in the Santa Fe paper for $1400 OBO. We saw the bike, I rode it around the block and decided to buy. We paid $1200. It's mechanically sound, needs some non-urgent cosmetic work. It was rebuilt by Dave Liggon in SF before the previous owner bought it from him. I wasn't looking for an SR 500 specifically, but now I'm in love. I'm still a very new, novice rider. I find the SR 500 quite forgiving, and I sense it can really perform when I'll be ready. So far I've ridden it out to Pecos twice, and down to ABQ once. It has a big carb on it, so I'm not getting really good gas mileage; but it's adequate (38-40 mpg). I'll be going to UNM five days a week, and expect to ride the SR part of that time, as well as other times. Once the wife gets her license in few weeks, I anticipate marital problems unless we find an additional SR 500 ready for immediate riding. ;D BTW, I'm a novice mechanic and novice rider, so if you've got anything to share from your experience, maybe I can learn a few things when I'm in ABQ. |
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