Hitchcocks Forum

Hi guys---just a "quickie" -- has anyone fitted a 3.50 x 19 tyre ( ie the same size as for the rear) on the front wheel of their 500 Bullet ?? Any feedback ??

Alan I have a rear Avon Skidmaster on both wheels. Its a relic from when my bike had a chair about three years ago and I've never got round to changing them because the tread never wears out. The handling is ok but a bit twitchy around corners and I will change them (one day).

My, my that was quick !!Thanks CHRIS for that reply--- I was considering having just the one tyre type in use on both the 500 Bullets, seeing as how the rims are the same F & R. My mate's 1938 350 Bullet has 3.50 x 19 MITAS (BARUM as was)on both but his is a rigid rear frame. I'll give it a go on the one bike and see what happens---can always keep it for the rear at a later date if it doesn't work out.

I've got a pair of identicle K70's on one machine not sure if they're 325's or 350's and also a pair od MT80 Pirellis on the other bike both also identicle.

Hi Alan,you'de be wasting your time as it doesn't work,steering becomes all slow and you'll notice front of bike sits up a little high.But worth trying just to satisfy yourself.
Then you'll ponder and understand why Velocette went from a 3.25 to a 3.00 when they introduced the Thruxton.
Let us know how you go and keep up posting,we enjoy your input.

Hi guys---- and thanks for those varied but interesting replies. Yes, I will give it a try but I won't be posting for a few weeks yet--- got to save money, then tyres to buy & fit/balance but hardest of all----will this rain ever stop, again !! As I said before, if it doesn't feel ok then I'll revert to 3.25 and keep that one for spare rear. My No1 Bullet is the 24/7 machine so it wont be long before that wants a new tyre.... Thanks for your support----------- I shall wear it often !!!

I think that 3.50 Mitas tyre might work on the front because they are very narrow. In fact when I put one on my rear wheel it felt really strange and had to come off again very soon after. The side walls of these tyres feel particularly soft and I did n't feel at all comfortable or safe.

Fat tyres on the front work fine with a sidecar but not solo, Skinny tyres work very well on solo front but badly with sidecar........my experience

Many moons ago I once fitted an Avon SM 'rear' tyre to the front of a Honda CB750 Four in an attempt to cure a front end castor wobble. The results were frightening! It simply didn't want to go around bends and headed straight ahead no matter what. Needless to say it didn't stay on for long.

Skidmasters are pretty much the same even if they're on the rear wheel Riggers. I had a 750 - 4 (F2)some year back that had the most awful steering wobble at 95. If one could hold on it went straight as a die again at 110!