Hitchcocks Forum

I have to buy another rear tyre for another of my bikes (Mr H does not have the size and type I need) The size is hard to get (Classic) but there was one on Ebay at £58 inc P&P. Phoned up my biker owned MOT station that also does tyres. I was told they would find out and phone me back. Well they didn't phone back yesterday, so I checked just now. Low and behold they got the tyre in (12 Hour delivery) and told me they wanted £74 quid fitted! I told them I only phoned to enquire to see IF they could get one and what was the price....I never told them to get one in. So I told them I would be willing to take it off them, but only if they could match the price of the Ebay one....I was just wondering if that seems a bit cheeky?...it makes me feel guilty but I reckon it was their fault for not phoning back. I was wondering what anybody else would do?

Too be honest I would take me bike into them and get them to fit it for me as £16 pounds seems very reasonable to me I hate taking the wheels and tyres off and it would take me the best part of a hour to change providing I don't nip the tube which I done last time. That meant had to do it all over again with a new tube so all in all for a extra £16 quid id get them to do it. Plus they despose of the old tyre for you which you cant just chuck in the bin these days.

Hello LES H ------------- or ARE you ??>>>>> This doesn't sound like the very self-assured chap that I've come to know and respect within these listings. Come on old son--not like you to be doing the ASKING at this basic level. Two thoughts for you a)---How were you going to fit the delivered tyre anyway ?? and b)-------labour costs these days are at least £20 per hour. As PAUL MH says}--- go along and have it fitted and, as you are a "Cheeky-Chappie" just casually mention that "Of course that INCLUDES the balancing ---- doesn't it ?" You'll quite often hear me bang-on about this but in to-days "pushy" commercial world we al have to take a bit more of an "Assertive Customer" attitude--------especially with these new "old bikes" and their Warranties etc. Have a go at a few Car Boot 9selling), that'll sharpen you up a bit. PS---I'm happy to fit the tyre for you at my works, tea and bikky provided FOC !! But you have to bring it to Telford first !!! Be seeing you ---------

---that should read}--- Car Boot (selling) ------

No brainer to me. The tyre is available as is fitting.It is hasslefree. Me? I would forget fleebay

Les, what tyre and size was you after? Compared to a TT100 or similar the price given by your garage *fitted* seems a bargain.

Thanks Paul, Alan and Bryan for your thoughts on this one. You're probably right about paying the extra, but I had already removed the old tyre (which was much too big and was rubbing away the wires under the mudguard) It's just me trying to save the pennies again I suppose but it all adds up. In the end he agreed to sell it for 60 quid which is about £3.50 more than ebay (minus the diesel to get there and back. LOL) I'll also need a new smaller inner tube yes one minute I'm trying to save a couple of quid then the next day I'll blow a fortune on another part that I might not get round to using for 6 months. Self assured Alan? not particularly....and it's just that I felt sorry and a bit embarrassed for the bloke who obviously meant well in getting the tyre for me in record time, even though I hadn't asked him to. Anyway, I'll pop round to get it tomorrow. All the best chaps.

Hi Midge ..just seen your question. the size is a 3.50 x 18. The front is a nearly new a Michelin universal and I wanted a tyre that looked fairly similar. I thought I'd try the Maxxis. I would have bought a Dunlop K70 but they don't make that size anymore. Someone mentioned Maxxis on this forum a little while ago and said they were OK? I don' think the K82 (TT100 look alike) would have suited the bike, I also might choose to fit 19" rims on the next renovation so that was a consideration too... ATB....Les

Hi Les H - excellent choice you made. The Maxxis/Cheng Shin C180 'Dunlop K70 look alike' is every bit as good as the K70, but significantly cheaper. It will wear down just as fast though...

I too wanted a pair of K70s when I needed new tires on my 1956 BMW R50 a copuple of years ago. As you, I found they don't make them in 3,50-18 anymore. (Well, to be honest I really wanted Metzeler for the BMW, but that meant ordering them from Germany instead of picking them up locally, and I didn't want to go through all that hassle.)-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Then I tried to get TT100 (K81), but those too doesn't seem to be made in 3,50-18 anymore. Too bad! However, I went for K82 front and rear, and think they look and feel ok on the BMW. Would not have those on my RE, though. -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Anyone who knows the actual difference between TT100 and K82? Is it the speed rating or the rubber compound, or both? -.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.- Regards, Anders F. R.