I believe that would be the Bridgestone Trail Wing.
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.My 5/70 H sports the original Nitto's. NOS are impossible to find.
Trail Wings were the next ones used by Honda.
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???
Have you actually ordered them and seen what arrived? I've put Bridgestone Trail Wings on my two restorations.
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.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