Radial tyres on old Tonti

[jacksonracingcomau]

Took me a long time procrastinating but finally done,
Completely changes the way it steers, no contest , best mod for ages
Only drum braker on here with modern tyre ?

[Farmer Dan]

Good rubber always makes your bike happy.   

[Kiwi Dave]

Did you stay with the same sizes as for the bias tyres?  If not, what did you choose?

[jacksonracingcomau]

Did you stay with the same sizes as for the bias tyres?  If not, what did you choose?

Was prob too cryptic in title
Front rim is 2.75 x 17, have already used and worn out one RP3 110/70 x 17, and a few other radials on front but only with 18" x 3" rear rim (130/70 x 18 tyres of all kinds)
New is back rim 4.25 x 17 for 150/70 x 17 tyre

Difference in 130/70 x 18 bias to 150/70 x 17 RP3 multi compound radial was the stunner, matching the front properly

Michelin don't make these tyres to fit "skinny" rims
Funny really, when I first laced the 3" x 18" it was seriously wide rim, how time has changed.
Now this 4.25" is the narrowest you can use for current tyres,
Bit of ag but well worth it

[Rick4003]

Can we see a full picture of the bike with the new wheels on it?

My own guzzi has 17'' spoke wheels too, but i haven't ridden it more than 10km's and have only heard people talking about that 17'' modern tyres would ruin the handling of the tonti frame. Good to hear that its not true 

Looking forward to see the whole of your bike! 

[jacksonracingcomau]

Can we see a full picture of the bike with the new wheels on it?

My own guzzi has 17'' spoke wheels too, but i haven't ridden it more than 10km's and have only heard people talking about that 17'' modern tyres would ruin the handling of the tonti frame. Good to hear that its not true 

Looking forward to see the whole of your bike! 

Enjoy

My new fav pub

[tonyduc]

Are the new radials tubeless tires? In reading previous posts on the topic of converting tube to tubeless I got the impression that there was a safety issue.

[mtiberio]

I see you shimmed the wheel to the left a bit, did you also notch the swingarm?

[jacksonracingcomau]

Are the new radials tubeless tires? In reading previous posts on the topic of converting tube to tubeless I got the impression that there was a safety issue.

Running tubes, I have converted spokes to tubeless on race (Motard) bikes but not my Guzzi
If I ran rear disc I'd use Alpinas, contemplated Alpina rim /spoke conversion for this but went trad, next one maybe

I see you shimmed the wheel to the left a bit, did you also notch the swingarm?

Swinging arm is not std, made 20 years aqo to allow to do this but in meantime I'd found 130/70 x 18 tyre I really liked and lasted,
Only after running RP3 front for a year (12K miles still usuable, chucked for new) that I wanted matching back, others get huge rear mileage too, I want some of that.

Offset was slight cock-up, I may yet pull wheel across on spokes and centralise hub but no rush, feeling good now.
Has more than enough "growth" clearance, that was cock -up
I measured for 150mm, Michelin tech spec, allow 162mm, should've read that first !!!

[Rick4003]

Is it Wilbers shocks you have on it? If so which model and how do you feel about them?
(the shock lower end looks a lot like the Wilbers I have for my bike.)

[jacksonracingcomau]

Is it Wilbers shocks you have on it? If so which model and how do you feel about them?
(the shock lower end looks a lot like the Wilbers I have for my bike.)

Are Wilbers but hand built for me by friend Greg Fairthorne (RIP)
Length/stroke for me, have one cannistor with hi/lo adj, the other is emulsion.
Prob OTT, doing again I'd prob use pair of emulsion but length is crucial, ride height adjusters would help you dial in.
Mine are 347mm length, but not suggesting that's right for you, matching front / rear ride heights is a game.
I travel two-up most of time, my set-up is about comfort on roads that are not smooth, often unsealed.
In another thread someone asks why factory bikes are specced to envisaged useage, can't be any other way
Personal preferences/weight & load/roads/speeds etc require fine tuning, can only ever be compromise or electronic adjustment , early days yet but some manufacturers are allowing owners to modify pre-sets. Good for some but also allows grave errors.
Out of box Wilbers will be good, use cable tie on shaft to tell you what's going on. Don't be scared to try different spring rates, cost is forgotten after time. Joy of comfort, everlasting.

[Arizona Wayne]

When I 1st read this I was going to say you can't get radial tires for the old narrow original Guzzi rims. But see in this case it's a none issue now.  I have bought bikes w/radial tires and switched back to bias ply 'cause I can hardly tell any difference in their feel.  In fact I prefer the bias over radial feel. 

[Rick4003]

Are Wilbers but hand built for me by friend Greg Fairthorne (RIP)
Length/stroke for me, have one cannistor with hi/lo adj, the other is emulsion.
Prob OTT, doing again I'd prob use pair of emulsion but length is crucial, ride height adjusters would help you dial in.
Mine are 347mm length, but not suggesting that's right for you, matching front / rear ride heights is a game.
I travel two-up most of time, my set-up is about comfort on roads that are not smooth, often unsealed.
In another thread someone asks why factory bikes are specced to envisaged useage, can't be any other way
Personal preferences/weight & load/roads/speeds etc require fine tuning, can only ever be compromise or electronic adjustment , early days yet but some manufacturers are allowing owners to modify pre-sets. Good for some but also allows grave errors.
Out of box Wilbers will be good, use cable tie on shaft to tell you what's going on. Don't be scared to try different spring rates, cost is forgotten after time. Joy of comfort, everlasting.

Good to hear you are happy with them, the cost is/was quite steep but I'm sure they are worth it. Mine are the cartridge type 632 TS with height adjustment, 345mm in standard length and with the height adjustment it is possible to adjust it +/- 5mm in length. So I think I'm pretty well covered.
Spring rates is setup from wilbers for my weight with gear and my riding style. I hope they hit a good compromise.

The project rebuilding the bike has been underway some time now, I can only work on it in my holidays so progress is slow! but still cant wait to put it back together! Will make a thread on the project and how the ride turns out. 

[mtiberio]

When I 1st read this I was going to say you can't get radial tires for the old narrow original Guzzi rims. But see in this case it's a none issue now.  I have bought bikes w/radial tires and switched back to bias ply 'cause I can hardly tell any difference in their feel.  In fact I prefer the bias over radial feel. 

Actually you can. Conti makes narrow rim radials. Look up classic attack and road attack. Radials in classic sizes for narrow rims.