Author Topic: 1972 B50SS tyres  (Read 1870 times)

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Geoff72B50SS

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1972 B50SS tyres
« on: 02 February, 2018, 10:17:24 »
Hi everyone.
I'm new to the BSAOC; I joined last September when I returned to BSA ownership. This is my first forum post.
Back in the early 70s (1971) I bought a new BSA B25SS "Gold Star" and ran it on Avon Road Runner (square) tyres.
The bike went through many changes and engines (350 B40, 400 Victor etc) before I stripped and boxed it.
Last September, having spent 30 odd years with German/Japanese marques, I returned to the fold and bought a 72 B50SS fitted with one good front tyre (Avon Roadrunner) and one balding rear Roadrunner. Handling is awful; round front profile, square rear, so whilst the bike is stripped ready for respray, I had local bike emporium in Wolverhampton fit a new Avon ROADRIDER tyre. It might look out of place on my Goldie, but I am told that it will improve the handling.
My question:
Has anyone fitted Roadriders to their BSAs? How do you rate them?

My steed will be back on the road in March/April so I have a while to wait before finding out if I've been fleeced...

Many thanks.
Geoff

JulianS

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Re: 1972 B50SS tyres
« Reply #1 on: 02 February, 2018, 13:12:51 »
Have used Avon Roadriders front and rear on my A10 for several years.

Good tyres which handle well.

I recommend them.

ChrisG

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Re: 1972 B50SS tyres
« Reply #2 on: 02 February, 2018, 15:51:46 »
Roadriders are great but after a fairly low mileage the rear 'flattens out' before the front and this creates a nerve inducing wobble of the 'Oh dear I think I have a puncture' variety. Bear in mind re the front, a BSAOC member  fitted a TT100 to his B25SS front wheel and found the knobbly bits on the outer edge caught on the wire stays.  The Roadrider outer edges are also greater than the original K70 or Avon SM so you'll find they are probably pretty close. Nevertheless, when removing the front wheel, you need to deflate the tyre to get it past the mudguard stays.

ANDY HIGHAM

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Re: 1972 B50SS tyres
« Reply #3 on: 02 February, 2018, 23:13:22 »
I have roadriders on my B31. The grip is amazing wet or dry and the handling sublime.
If you square a rear tyre off you are not cornering fast enough

ChrisG

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Re: 1972 B50SS tyres
« Reply #4 on: 03 February, 2018, 16:16:50 »
With all due respect that's rubbish! More miles are ridden in a straight line than cornering and we are all usually upright when powering away which is why the crown wears out quicker on the rear than the front! I suppose I could ride all the time doing that stupid 'essing' trick some modern bike riders do when they are 'supposedly' warming up their tyres but I don't want to look like a total idiot as they do.

JulianS

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Re: 1972 B50SS tyres
« Reply #5 on: 03 February, 2018, 16:54:34 »
Around 3000 miles on the rear Roadrider until it flattens and is due for replacement is my experience.

ANDY HIGHAM

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Re: 1972 B50SS tyres
« Reply #6 on: 03 February, 2018, 17:55:59 »
OK put a prehistoric Avon SM Mk2 on the back, It will be squared off from day 1

Geoff72B50SS

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Re: 1972 B50SS tyres
« Reply #7 on: 19 April, 2018, 12:45:39 »
 8)
Well, I'm back on the road and so far the tyre mix is holding up well - in fact the B50SS corners better now than it did before.
Let's stick some miles on the clock and see how it goes.

Thanks for all the input, folks. Have now posted photos on "my Bike" section.

Hope it's okay.

Geoff72B50SS

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Re: 1972 B50SS tyres
« Reply #8 on: 21 June, 2018, 19:49:31 »
500 miles (mainly in the dry) since the rear tyre changed. Bike still handles well and corners amazingly. Will consider changing front to suit when it comes to laying up the bike for winter.

Good decision on the tyre I think.

Thank you to Highway in Wolverhampton