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650SS Rim Size Query

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Hello. I need new rims etc for my 64 650SS. I have done some research and feel somewhat confused, not unusual. I intend fitting Avon Road Rider tyres and I understand that to obtain the best combination it may be best to stray from the 19" WM2 front and rear due to modern tyre choice. Please can anyone advise the best sizes to order ie 19"" front and rear, WM2/3/4? Many thanks Paul.

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I would measure the clearance you have against  your existing set up and check how much wider the new tyres will be. Clearance to chainguard mountings can be tight. Actual tyre widths don't always relate to the published info.

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If it’s any use I have just fitted Road Rider mk2 in size 110/90 x19 front and rear to my mk2 850 Commando. I’ve only covered 17 miles but I didn’t fall off so I guess they work. These replaced a pair of 4.10x19 TT100 Dunlop’s on wm2 rims. 

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There is a lot of debate on this, wm2 is not in the published Avon rim recommendation for the 90/90 and 100/90 19 tyres but if asked they will confirm it works. So you can stick with WM2 but from Avon's point of view  wm3 or wm4 would give the rounder profile they designed. Which way you go is a personal choice, handling is subjective so one person's recommendation may feel terrible to someone else. I run wm2 19 both ends on my Commando with 90/90 front 100/90 rear Roadrider and its fine, better than the Roadrunners I ran before and miles better than the TT100's it came with.

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Hello now I find that metric sizes are for cast alloy wheels and you have hard time trying to get them on steel rims So stick with WM 2 x19 rims for home model 650ss and you can still imperial size tyres for tubed tyres And I found that Avon road riders are not the best for Norton suspension set up and with the high volume of traffic you not be riding at over 100 mph any more so you better of with Avon ribbed on the front  and A Dunlop K70 on the rear. That how older bike where in the past and works well my 650 Rare Manxman has a 3-25 front and 4.00-18 rear and rides well Yours. Anna j

The new Roadrider MKII is more narrow than the previous version and looks physically different when fitted to a WM2 than the previous version. I know it sounds daft, but I suspect it will be less than 100mm wide when fitted to a WM2, the earlier version was just over 100mm when fitted. The new MKII has 'replaces 3.50 x 19' on the side wall - strange. 

I would recommend the following, for all out thrashing fit Conti Classic Attacks, dry grip and handling far superior to the old Roadrider, so might be why the MKII was introduced. For fast road use, Roadrider MKII, for gentle commuting then the Roadrunner is good bet, good life and served owners well for a good many year prior to the Roadrider. It is still being made which must say something. 

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Thanks for all the advice and suggestions given. It is very much appreciated. Paul.

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For what its worth, when I rebuilt my '67 650 many years ago, I fitted it with 18" WM3 rims front and back because I wanted to have a greater choice of tyres.

As for tyres, it is currently fitted with Metzelers - a 100/90x18 ME33 laser on the front and a 110/90x18 ME99A at the back which suit the bike well. I don't have any mudguard clearance issues as my bike has 7 3/8" fork centres and I run  Commando mudguards, while at the back, the tyre misses the swinging arm and chainguard easily.

I think Ashley summed up tyre choice quite well (I would have added Bridgestone BT45's into the mix too as they are peg-scratchingly brilliant on my Morini) - It depends how you like to ride the bike but I'm sure your choice of Avon AM26's will be perfectly OK.

Just remember modern tyre construction means you need to 'up' the tyre pressures around 5-8 PSI from the 'book' figures of old.

Regards,

George

 

 

 


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