Right tires for a proper restoration
- Thread starter kpdiamond
- Start date
hornetgod
Well-Known Member
I'll second that recommendation.
I've seen both on early bikes and, though I tend to agree that the Nittos came first, the only certainty is that they went away first. Circa 2012, TWs are as close to "OEM correct" as it gets.
As for NOS tires, they don't exist; imo, "OOS" is more accurate. :21: If you happen to run across an un-mounted pair of 40-year-old tires, they'll be too crunchy with dry rot to actually use as tires (i.e. ride)...they will polish-up nicely and look great inside a glass display case.
Powersportsplus sell the Nittos 4.00X10, $43.07 each. They inform me that they get them direct from Honda. I'm sure they're not NOS but a rerun of the original???
hornetgod
Well-Known Member
Have you actually ordered them and seen what arrived? I've put Bridgestone Trail Wings on my two restorations.
No not yet...I have discussed this with you (tire selection) in a PM a while back. They assure me they come from the Honda warehouse and they have plenty in stock.. what'da think should I order them and see what I get?
I can return if they are not what they are telling me..Thanks
X2 on Bill's comments. I wouldn't bank on Nitto still making these tires, let alone anyone importing them into the US. If they were stocked, domestically, I'd have expected to see them listed for sale by more than one vendor. There's always the possibility that they've only recently been returned to production...in which case we'll likely see expanded availability over time. Generally speaking, tires are expensive to import unless you're talking about container load quantities.
Don't get me wrong, it'd be cool to see a freshly restored bike wearing a brand-new pair of OEM Nitto shoes. That said, TWs are a damned good dual-sport tire, as knobbies go (whereas the Nittos are an unknown quantity), and you'll never "lose points" in a judged concours event for having them instead of Nittos.
Don't get me wrong, it'd be cool to see a freshly restored bike wearing a brand-new pair of OEM Nitto shoes. That said, TWs are a damned good dual-sport tire, as knobbies go (whereas the Nittos are an unknown quantity), and you'll never "lose points" in a judged concours event for having them instead of Nittos.
Gary
Well-Known Member
That would be your call. The only way they would really worth something though would be if they were new or like new and someone wanted them for display. Both of mine built in 9-69 and 10-69 both had Bridgestones. Some parts books also show Yokohama too. It seems that beginning in 1970 and at least until '76 Bridgestone were the only supplier for Honda's off road bikes. My 2 CR250s had them and my current 74 TL 125 and 76 MR 250 still have theirs. Thought I heard at one time Nitto could not keep up with Honda's production
I largely I agree with you. 40 year-old tires polish-up nicely and look good in a display case. No way I'd want to ride on tires that dessicated & crunchy. As far as what shoes these bikes were wearing when they left the assembly line, I don't think Honda gave a rat's arse and just used what was available and met their specs, including cost. I have a low-mileage, one-owner, K1 that's still wearing its original Nittos...and it's not the first time Ive run across a documented K1. I've seen Nittos, that I believe to be factory-original to bikes as late as `78. That said, I'd be happy to just source a nice, minty-new pair of Bridgestone Trailwings and call it day.
toasterknight
New Member
I have an 8-71 K1 that still has the factory Nitto's on it so they were on bikes in 71 at least.
