General Category => Wheels & Tires => Topic started by: Gearhead-95 on January 17, 2021, 06:35:30 PM

Title: Another option for tires
Post by: Gearhead-95 on January 17, 2021, 06:35:30 PM
I know this subject has been beat like a rented mule. But here we go. I found a dot tire that looks very similar to 30’s or 40’s Indian motorcycle tires. Have a nice tread pattern in my opinion and would add a beefy look to a simplex. I don’t know how tight the tolerance is for tire size on a factory simplex rim so here I am sharing the tire specs compared to a simplex tire from Coker and they appear very very similar in sizing. Does anyone see a reason why this would or would not work?
Title: Re: Another option for tires
Post by: Ricks on January 17, 2021, 07:00:32 PM
Simplex rims are bicycle rims, not motorcycle rims.  A servi-cycle rim is 22 1/2" OD. The bead seating surface is about 21 1/2".  A motorcycle tire has a much thicker bead. That said, I don't think it will fit. 

I have fit a 2.75 X 21 motorcycle tire onto a SPORTSMAN rim, but those rims are 21 3/4" OD.  The tire does not fit well, too loose.  But, and this is big, there are NO Tires made to fit the Sportsman rim.

If your looking to save money over buying the Simplex reproduction tires, just buy a bicycle tire and ride accordingly.