Correct tyre sizes for 1961 C15?

[Dripfedfloor]

Earlier in the year I bought a 1961 C15 which was sold to me as having a 'handling problem'. Well, the chap said it didn't handle like it should. I think having a 325x17 rear tyre on the front that is rubbing the mudguard bridge won't help!

What size front tyre should it have? A 275x17 or 300x17?

[rhyatt]

My c15 book tells me 325x17 and 16psi front and 22 rear

[Ian C]

Do NOT use tyre pressures as listed above on modern compound tyres. The correct rule of thumb for new motorcycle tyres is around 30PSI for front and maybe a little higher for rear depending on rider weight and whether you're carrying any luggage etc.. If the front tyre has been rubbing the mudguard brackets it could have been possibly under inflated.

[Dripfedfloor]

Right, thanks.

I've had a look this morning and there are washers spacing out the mudguard brackets. On the left side there is plenty of clearance while the right (brake side) has almost nothing. If the wheel is off to one side this would make the handling rather entertaining. I'll have a deeper look and see if it is a simple case of the wheel not sitting correctly.

It's one of those bikes where I wasn't looking for one and the registration number got my attention. I have a weakness for Oxfordshire registered bikes you see.

[Dripfedfloor]

Diagnosis: whoever built the wheel messed up. It needs doing right with the correct offset and original rims. These are repros which claim to be made in England... they're made in India and chromed in England, not the same thing!