Author Topic: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?  (Read 14188 times)

Offline Groover

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Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« on: September 15, 2014, 03:37:48 PM »
Hello,  these tires came on my G5 that I bough earlier this year. I plan on getting new tires next riding season, but since these have been decent and I figured the previous owner probably did some trial and error before settling with these, I'd like to learn a little bit about them Though... I cannot find any information on this brand online at all. The brand is "Formula"

Has anyone heard or used these before? They seem to handle pretty decently and the American-chopper-looking-thread is sort of growing on me.

Are these available anymore?

Front


Rear


Thanks!
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2014, 03:52:10 PM »
They look like copies of the Continental K112 (rear) and RB2 front. Most likely made in SE Asia somewhere (of course, the Continentals are too now - Korea).

I'd be looking at the date code that tells you when they were made.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=11
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Offline rocker59

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2014, 03:52:52 PM »
What's the date code say ?

What is country of origin?  Should be stamped on sidewall.
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Offline Groover

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2014, 04:08:19 PM »
I'll have to check more in detail when I get home. I didn't see any more markings on the tires other than this print under the size. Not sure what that means, but maybe it helps identify? The bike came from MI. Maybe Canadian tires?



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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2014, 04:08:19 PM »

Offline Groover

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2014, 04:09:55 PM »
Just checked Charlie's link. Looks like maybe they are 2011? (or at least the front)

Here is a link to the Continentals mentioned... I think you nailed it!

http://www.conti-online.com/www/motorcycle_de_en/themes/motorcycletires/conti_classic_en/rb2k112_en.html

« Last Edit: September 15, 2014, 04:21:02 PM by Groover »
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2014, 04:16:51 PM »
Googling a bit, the only reference I found was a National Tire advertisement from 1980. Hope they're not that old.  :o
Charlie

Offline Groover

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2014, 04:23:07 PM »
They could be I suppose... they don't have any cracks and the rubber feels... not so old!

They are inline for replacement for sure  ;D
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Offline rocker59

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2014, 05:39:40 PM »
Googling a bit, the only reference I found was a National Tire advertisement from 1980. Hope they're not that old.  :o

Yeah.  That's why I suggested checking the date code.  I think they may be vintage.
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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2014, 05:58:49 PM »
Yeah.  That's why I suggested checking the date code.  I think they may be vintage.

Yep, and why I mentioned checking the date code 42 seconds before you.  ;D
Charlie

Offline lomax

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2014, 06:21:08 PM »
Hard to tell as that is not a DOT date code, but I am guessing they were built the 14th week of 2009 ???

I personally have found that while vintage tires look good they handle like sht. Look into Perreli sport demons or Avon Roadriders and be safe  ;-T

i currently have these on my older bikes and really like them.

My R50/2 has Heidenau vintage tires on it, brand new, and when you hit the cement rain grooves the bike is all over the road. It WILL be getting new tires come the winter tear down.

Marc
« Last Edit: September 15, 2014, 06:22:35 PM by lomax »
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Offline redrider90

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2014, 10:17:47 PM »
Hard to tell as that is not a DOT date code, but I am guessing they were built the 14th week of 2009 ???

I personally have found that while vintage tires look good they handle like sht. Look into Perreli sport demons or Avon Roadriders and be safe  ;-T

i currently have these on my older bikes and really like them.

My R50/2 has Heidenau vintage tires on it, brand new, and when you hit the cement rain grooves the bike is all over the road. It WILL be getting new tires come the winter tear down.

Marc

I had a very similar tire on the front of my 72 HD Super Glide. For all I remember it was a Conti but one thing it did was wobble like hell in rain grooves. Never again.
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Offline Triple Jim

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #11 on: September 15, 2014, 10:57:48 PM »
The tires I got for my H2 when I bought the Lesters were the Continentals that these look exactly like.  They were decent tires that were forgiving and gave a little warning before they let loose.  I haven't seen that tread pattern for decades though.
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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2014, 08:59:29 AM »
The tires I got for my H2 when I bought the Lesters were the Continentals that these look exactly like.  They were decent tires that were forgiving and gave a little warning before they let loose.  I haven't seen that tread pattern for decades though.

Continental never stopped making them, they're still popular with the classic Airhead crowd. Just installed some on a customer's R90/6 last year, they're now made in Korea.
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Offline Triple Jim

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #13 on: September 16, 2014, 09:44:11 AM »
Interesting, thanks.  So I guess I just haven't paid attention to Continental for decades.
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Offline Groover

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #14 on: September 16, 2014, 10:33:19 AM »
I found a few more markings. Looks like maybe the front one was manufactured in 08, not sure about the rear... thought they look like they were maybe put on at the same time by the looks of them.

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Offline Testarossa

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #15 on: September 16, 2014, 10:35:34 AM »
Had those Contis on my CB500/4 in the late 70's.  They were good in the wet.
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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #16 on: September 16, 2014, 10:59:38 AM »
Looks to me that the front was November of 98. Or maybe 88.. 78?  ~; :BEER:

Oh, forgot. Getya some Sport Demons if you don't mind low mileage.. they rock on Tonti framed bikes.
« Last Edit: September 16, 2014, 11:05:33 AM by Chuck in Indiana »
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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #17 on: September 16, 2014, 11:09:39 AM »
I found a few more markings. Looks like maybe the front one was manufactured in 08, not sure about the rear... thought they look like they were maybe put on at the same time by the looks of them.


The date code for tires made after 2000 is four digits - two digit month and two digit year. For example: 4108 means the 41st week of 2008. Yours are at least 15 years old.
« Last Edit: September 16, 2014, 11:11:25 AM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
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Offline Hahnda

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #18 on: September 16, 2014, 11:10:29 AM »
Before 2000 date codes were 3 digit and after 2000 they are 4 digit. The 4 digit ones are more specific as you can figure out the exact year. 3 digits its a guess because 106 could mean the 10th week of 1976, 1986, 1996 etc.

In any case your tires are old and should be replaced.
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Offline Groover

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #19 on: September 16, 2014, 11:11:00 AM »
Looks to me that the front was November of 98. Or maybe 88.. 78?  ~; :BEER:

Oh, forgot. Getya some Sport Demons if you don't mind low mileage.. they rock on Tonti framed bikes.

You're right! I looked at the chart again, and it does look like the pre-2000 marking...

I don't mind the low mileage on tires. I don't travel long distance with my bike anyway, so they better grip is my preference. I plan on refinishing the rims this winter I think, and at that point I'll get some new rubber. Pirelli Sport Demons seems to be the favored so far.

Thank you all for the assistance, and I hope this has been a fun trivia game for everyone!
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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #20 on: September 16, 2014, 11:16:14 AM »
You're right! I looked at the chart again, and it does look like the pre-2000 marking...

I don't mind the low mileage on tires. I don't travel long distance with my bike anyway, so they better grip is my preference. I plan on refinishing the rims this winter I think, and at that point I'll get some new rubber. Pirelli Sport Demons seems to be the favored so far.

Thank you all for the assistance, and I hope this has been a fun trivia game for everyone!

There are other tires that offer excellent grip and decent life for less money. Unless you plan on pushing the G5 to it's limits, in my opinion, Sport Demons are overkill. 
Charlie

Offline Groover

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #21 on: September 16, 2014, 11:35:37 AM »
Unless you plan on pushing the G5 to it's limits, in my opinion, Sport Demons are overkill. 

I probably won't unless I want to wear diapers while I'm pushing the limits...  ;D
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Offline Triple Jim

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #22 on: September 16, 2014, 12:49:55 PM »
The problem is that when someone pulls out in front of you and you're going 60 mph, you'll be pushing the limits no matter how much you intended to when you started the ride.
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Offline Triple Jim

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #23 on: February 11, 2015, 10:05:07 AM »
Groover, what tires did you end up going with?  I just put a pair of Sport Demons on my Mille, and the difference from the worn Bridgestone S11s is far greater than I expected.  On the first couple curves that I took aggressively, I almost rode off the inside of the road!  I don't know how much the improvement can be credited to the new tires, versus getting rid of the worn S11 front with a pointed center tread area.
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Offline charlie b

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #24 on: February 11, 2015, 10:36:24 AM »
If cost and miles is not an issue then I also would suggest Sport Demons.  I had both before andthey were really sticky.  The rear only went fo a bit over 6kmiles.  I still use one on the front of my T5 but I use a Shinko on the rear.  It lasts the same as the Pirelli but is half the cost.  It isn't as sticky but I don't get much time on wet roads :)  The little that I have ridden in the wet the Shinko has done well.  If Shinko made a tire to fit the front I'd try one there too.
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Offline pressureangle

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #25 on: February 11, 2015, 10:54:43 AM »
I do not play with old tires. Formulas never were premium, and if they're more than 2 years old even less so. Don't endanger yourself, get new tires.
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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #26 on: February 11, 2015, 12:38:22 PM »
Sport Demons are the dogs danglies on these bikes

Offline Groover

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #27 on: February 11, 2015, 12:51:54 PM »
Groover, what tires did you end up going with?  I just put a pair of Sport Demons on my Mille, and the difference from the worn Bridgestone S11s is far greater than I expected.  On the first couple curves that I took aggressively, I almost rode off the inside of the road!  I don't know how much the improvement can be credited to the new tires, versus getting rid of the worn S11 front with a pointed center tread area.


I still haven't bought them because I'm also debating if I should convert my rims to tubeless, which I've been meaning to post a question on that but I haven't (I have the alloy wheels not spokes) - I think I have narrowed it down to the "Michelin Sport Activ". I typically ride two-up so I figured maybe the Michelin's would maybe last a little longer over the Pirelli's since the Michelin's have the bias-ply construction making that middle part a little more resistant to wear. The decision now is if I should get the TT or TL...

These are the tires:

http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-activ

I'll need to get them ordered actually.

What's involved in converting my rims to tubeless, and should I do it?

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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #28 on: February 11, 2015, 12:56:13 PM »
If cost and miles is not an issue then I also would suggest Sport Demons.  I had both before andthey were really sticky.  The rear only went fo a bit over 6kmiles.  I still use one on the front of my T5 but I use a Shinko on the rear.  It lasts the same as the Pirelli but is half the cost.  It isn't as sticky but I don't get much time on wet roads :)  The little that I have ridden in the wet the Shinko has done well.  If Shinko made a tire to fit the front I'd try one there too.


Shinko SR740f is avaliable in 100/80-16.

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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Tonti Frame Style Tires: Formula Brand?
« Reply #29 on: February 11, 2015, 01:01:10 PM »

I still haven't bought them because I'm also debating if I should convert my rims to tubeless, which I've been meaning to post a question on that but I haven't (I have the alloy wheels not spokes) - I think I have narrowed it down to the "Michelin Sport Activ". I typically ride two-up so I figured maybe the Michelin's would maybe last a little longer over the Pirelli's since the Michelin's have the bias-ply construction making that middle part a little more resistant to wear. The decision now is if I should get the TT or TL...

These are the tires:

http://motorcycle.michelinman.com/tires/michelin-pilot-activ



I'll need to get them ordered actually.

What's involved in converting my rims to tubeless, and should I do it?



For cast wheels you only ned to get tubeless threaded valve stems. If you order tires online from a place like Motorcycle Superstore they will also have the valve stems. So does you local NAPA or local MC shop. In certain instances you may have to drill out the hole for the new valve stem a bit.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2015, 01:04:09 PM by Perazzimx14 »
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