Hitchcocks Forum

I am rebuilding a 64 GT with a silver frame. The spares catalogue states the front wheel should be 18" but mine is a 17". It has been suggested that the early silver frames were crusader sports frames that had 325 17 tyres and wheels.
Does anyone have a silver framed GT and what wheels does it have? I have another problem that I have new mudguards with an 18" diameter that may look strange with 17" wheels - should I have my wheel rebuilt with 18" rim or stick with 17"
Thanks All
Ian

FAR better selection of tires available in 18", and IMHO better steering too

I stand to be corrected but I thought all Continental GT’s had 18” rims? Both of my Continentals have 18” (the 1966 one also has a silver frame but that may be more to do with the aesthetic preferences of the previous owner rather than to authenticity.)

To be pedantic I think a 1964 with 3.25x17 rims is more likely to be a Continental model rather than a Continental GT?

Anyway Tim’s recommendation to use 18” rather than 17” rims is sound advice.

I've never come across a 17" front on a GT. A Continental, yes. The correct front rim for a GT should be a lightweight Dunlop WM1 stamped with the words "Not for use on machines greater than 250cc" (I think that's the wording, I'll check.) and fitted with a 3.00 x 18 ribbed front tyre. You will find these hard to find so mine has a 2.75 but it's not noticeable in use.

REgards, Mark

There are some [rather appropriately] Continental tyres, 'Conti Go!', available in 17 and 18 inch sizes, to suit front and rear and in pairs of 17" front and rear, to suit equal size wheeled machines, but a modern looking tyre, so perhaps not everyone's cup of tea ...