BMW K bikes (Bricks)


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1Back to top Go down   auto tires for my rig Empty auto tires for my rig Tue Jan 04, 2022 7:45 pm

cfmckay

cfmckay
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I am currently running a 1985 BMWK100Rs with a 1980 Vetter terraplane sidecar. I constructed this rig about two years ago after restoring the K bike and the sidecar, mating them and then learning how to pilot the rig. I have michelins on the bike and the sidecar and will be installing a leading link front end that was fabricated for me by Wasp sidecars in the UK. Since restoration I have driven the rig approximately 3000 miles and have noticed accelerated wear on the rear and front tires of the bike, replacing the front and rear tires long before I would have in normal two wheel use. The sidecar tire has exhibited very little wear in comparison. My question is , are there any car type tires that are available to replace the tires on the standard K100 rims? I have looked into most of the manufacturers for auto tires and the sizes are limited to 14 and 15 inch rims, the K100 being 17 and 18 inch diameter. Any information in this regard would be helpful, Thank you, Craig

    

2Back to top Go down   auto tires for my rig Empty Re: auto tires for my rig Tue Jan 04, 2022 8:43 pm

AL-58

AL-58
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You will find an 18" sidecar square profile tyre in both Heidenau and Metzeler brands.   While there are 17" car tyres available these days, there is nothing in the 130-140 range.  Years ago I could buy a retreaded tyre with a car tread bonded to a used 130/90-17 bike tyre casing.  It was cost effective and I never had one fail. Sadly no longer available.

A rear car tyre on a K100 means a custom rim of some sort; this can be a full custom wheel or a narrow 15" car wheel (VW, Volvo, Renault etc) on a machined adapter.  

My sidecar is fitted with a custom built 15 x 4 aluminium  rear rim that I run a 165/80-15 tyre on, it's a good combo as it's the same overall diameter and circumference as the original 130/90-17 so no gearing changes or height changes.  An RS may need some gearing reduction for better rideability but the RT final drive I use is fine.

I'm sorry but I have absolutely no idea where you would find any of these (wheels, adapters) in the US.

Al


__________________________________________________
'93 K1100LT
'08 F650GS (798cc)
'19 R1250RS

+ another boxer engined motorcycle and sidecar

"When I'm too old and too foolish to handle a sidecar I'll buy a Sportsbike"

auto tires for my rig K-dogs10
    

3Back to top Go down   auto tires for my rig Empty Re: auto tires for my rig Tue Jan 04, 2022 10:23 pm

92KK 84WW Olaf

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Smart car wheels apparently do the job for the rear wheel using an adaptor plate.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

4Back to top Go down   auto tires for my rig Empty Re: auto tires for my rig Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:46 pm

Rockman

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If you are in contact with Wasp, they do or did make 15" wheels to fit the K series BMW's. I have them on my K1100LT rig. They are fitted with 145x15 Nankang tyres.

    

5Back to top Go down   auto tires for my rig Empty Re: auto tires for my rig Wed Jan 05, 2022 10:42 am

jbt

jbt
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It's an easy job to fit a car rim on the rear arm. Just need to machine an adaptator plate that fits both the drive and the rim holes. You don't even need to think about centering, there's plenty of room on the left side.
Just check before if you easily can purchase tyres matching the rim.
For the front wheel, Metzeler Block C or Heindenau K28 can do the job also. Not the top, but they are available and long lasting.  Some prefer round profile tyres on the front, arguing that an automobile tyre is only parallel to the asphalt in straight line, not when cornering. Geometrically correct, but in reality the reasonable section of an automobile tyre makes no difference.
The real difference is about the life expectancy: I changed the tyres on my side car when I bought it in 1995. At this period I was student, had no money and bought second hand tyres Citroen 2cv tyres, 125x15 dimensions. They lasted until 2021...and I had to change them because they were so dry that knobs were tearing, but they still were high enough for regulation. And I used this sidecar daily for at least 10 years.

So even if it may be expensive to convert the bike to auto rims, you'll rapidly save money on tyres wear.
Besides that, a smaller diameter will increase road handling, braking capacities (same strenght on discs for a smaller wheel development).
In Europe it's easy to find 14 or 15 inches narrow rims because it was a standard on cars. In USA it may be more difficult, but, apart Smart rims, think about old beetles rims. And many electric cars use narrow rims today to preserve efficiency.


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That fills our fairest day.
    

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