Manxman

The original tires your bike came with new are still available from their manufacturer. On the front was an Avon Speedmaster rib in 3.25-19 and on the rear it was an Avon SM in 4.00-18. I just bought a new Speedmaster and SM on the appropriate sizes to put on my 1962 650 Norton...

Previously wrote:

The original tires your bike came with new are still available from their manufacturer. On the front was an Avon Speedmaster rib in 3.25-19 and on the rear it was an Avon SM in 4.00-18. I just bought a new Speedmaster and SM on the appropriate sizes to put on my 1962 650 Norton...

Modern tyres tend to be wider, and can foul mudguards and chainguard mounts.

The SM and Speedmaster get a bad press but they are in fact seriously underrated. Good wet grip and you can happily scrape the footrests on dry bends (don't try that on Dunlop K70s). You won't go far wrong with them. Gordon.

Did the Manxmans have an option to have fitted alloy wheel rims, when be made at Bracebridge Street in 1961?

Previously wrote:

Previously wrote:

The original tires your bike came with new are still available from their manufacturer. On the front was an Avon Speedmaster rib in 3.25-19 and on the rear it was an Avon SM in 4.00-18. I just bought a new Speedmaster and SM on the appropriate sizes to put on my 1962 650 Norton...

Hi Benjamin

Thanks for the info, did you have any trouble with the clearance between the mudguards and the tyre.

Geoff

Hello Geoff On My Norton Manxman 650 I have Avon 3.25x19 Ribbed Speed-Master On the front , and a Dunlop K70 4.00x18 rear tyre on the rear wheel it works well and in the wet as well , I have been on the Motorway in 2008 The wettest Year in torrential rain at speeds well over 80mph and found the bike did not slip and handled well on the back tyre there is only about half a inch at each side at the front of the swinging arm -also make shure that the malastic bushes are good order mine need changing now and the clutch bearings need changing too I have a noisy clutch when its engaged well my bike does get ridden its not, A Museum ornament like some bikes yours Anna j

I have has a K70 on the back wear out in 1,200 miles on Highland roads. Also in hot weather they become very soft and sticky to touch and very prone to slide out on roundabouts. Really don't like them - far inferior to the good old Avon SM. And as Anna knows, I do use my bikes... Gordon.

I never had any clearance problems when fitting the Speedmaster/SM combo. I did when fitting modern profile tires to the front though. You have to watch the bolts and nuts that secure the fender and stays mostly.

I have never seen a Manxman with alloy rims. The only parts books I have that list them as an option on the Dominator are from the AMC era. I imagine a customer or dealer with clout could get whatever they wanted though......

Norvilles recommended tyres for my 99, all too wide, a surprise as they had restored one earlier, I am trying them on a late Atlas which should work.