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Wheel Restoration and Tyre Selection

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david edgcombe

Wheel Restoration and Tyre Selection

#1 PostAuthor: david edgcombe » Mon Jan 14, 2008 7:21 pm

Hi

What tyres are best suited to a Z900 restoration? Understand that the the originals were block tread rear and ribbed front made of nylon with crap road holding! Whats the best to go for in a modern tyre? a compromise beteen the original look and modern handling! Any advice appreciated.

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#2 PostAuthor: london calling » Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:02 pm

Bridgestone BT45 for riding on :lol:
Not sure about the original appearance though :roll:
Jack

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#3 PostAuthor: phil churchett » Tue Jan 15, 2008 6:51 pm

Yup, i got BT45's on my Z9, used them for quite a while now.Good combination of grip/wear. Have used Metzelers in the past too.
Four pipes rule, anything else is second best.

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#4 PostAuthor: floydsz1 » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:36 pm

https://www.z-power.co.uk/merchantmanag ... cee5241ba7
zpower sell original type of tyres, I think they are made out off modern materials so should be ok, Iv'e not tried them though/ Maybe someone on here has.

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#5 PostAuthor: Pigford » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:10 pm

David, give them tyres a go & let us know what they're like (guinea pig) :wink:
I've got a set of Continentals (Made in Germany), but not ridden bike yet :!: They're type: TKV11 (front) & TKV 12 (rear) :?: Modern pattern tho :evil:
And on the 7th day... Zeds were created!

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#6 PostAuthor: floydsz1 » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:11 pm

Like phil says metzelers are good. I had them on my z1, think they were me33 front and me99 rear. I put another set of metzelers on my z1a this time me11 front/ me77 rear.They look quite like original ones (tread patern). Iv'e only done about 500mls so far but they seem to be ok, And i dont pootle about on it, i can give a good few modern bikes a good run for their money on way to and from devils bridge on sundays etc.

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#7 PostAuthor: floydsz1 » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:24 pm

Just had a thought, i had conti's on my A4 last year. They seemed ok but i know from when i was racing i didnt like changing tyre makes. suppose its a bit like with the girlfriend, you feel happy with something you feel comfy with but know there is probably something out there thats better, though you have to remember there's also a lot worse aswell.
its all down to what you feel happy with.

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#8 PostAuthor: RALPHARAMA » Wed Jan 16, 2008 12:08 am

I shod my old 1000A2 with F2 & R2 roadrunners and they were OK.

My current 1000A1 came with TT100s and they are the most horrible tyres I have ridden on since my RD200 which came with Lien Shin, which felt like greased solid PTFE. Both tyres wree like new when I picked the bike up. After a couple of thousand miles the front was unchanged and the back was all round bald. They always tracked anything on the road.

Following advice on here I have shod the back with a BT45 and will do the front when I have painted it.

I'll let you know how I get on if I ever finished the old gurl!
Ralph Ferrand
Z1000A1 (1977), Z1300A5 (1983), Z900A4 (1976) GPZ1100 Unitrak (1983)(project), RD250B (1975)(project), ZRX1200R (2005) DT175MX (1981) YZF R6 (1999)
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#9 PostAuthor: phil churchett » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:09 pm

Pigford wrote:David, give them tyres a go & let us know what they're like (guinea pig) :wink:
I've got a set of Continentals (Made in Germany), but not ridden bike yet :!: They're type: TKV11 (front) & TKV 12 (rear) :?: Modern pattern tho :evil:

I was "persuaded" to try Conti's a few years ago, [by my local tyre dealer], on my zed, they were f###in' shite!
Four pipes rule, anything else is second best.

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#10 PostAuthor: Pigford » Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:29 pm

Mr Churchill, the Conti's are in great nick and were already fitted to me RedZed when I got it :??
I'll give 'em a go anyhow :shock:
And on the 7th day... Zeds were created!

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#11 PostAuthor: phil churchett » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:46 pm

Take care then, they gave me no confidence at all.
Four pipes rule, anything else is second best.

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#12 PostAuthor: kz900B1 » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:04 pm

My bike came with Dunlop Qaulifier's "USA market".Hard compound & shite .
Even in the dry the bike felt unstable and seem to tram line.
So I believe giving up the asthetics for performance and safety is well worth it Unless you only want a showpiece bike which will be ridden only in the dry.
The best modification I have made is to change to BT 45's.
Now the bike feels rock solid even going in to corners and I can enjoy myself. :D
Cheers colin
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