narrow rim tires

[carryall]

Been riding the Servicycle last 2 days to/from work (8 miles away) and found that I've been "cruising" at a pretty good pace.  My GPS says my average speed's been around 42mph on the straight stretches, and I had hit a top speed of 47mph at one time.  Not bad for a 6.5H.P engine I think.  Brings me to my weakest link.  TIRES.  If I continue at this pace, I'm probably pushing my luck on the bicycle tires I'm now running.  To avoid wrecking a rim, and a little road rash, I may have to bite the bullet and consider a set of nice dependable tires in the near future I'm thinkin.  I have, what I assume, are the original narrow rims and was wondering if someone here can tell me brand options I have, (if any other than Coker) and from whom, and size tires/tubes I should get?  The tires on it now are 26X1.25.   To be sure, here's a pic of the rim shape if someone can confirm these are "original rims" and the size Coker tires recommended will fit correctly.  Thanks for the benefit of your guy's knowledge/experience in advance.  You "guys" probably have part#, price, and order info. by memory.

[Mike Sal]

You might check out some of the tires Kenda has.  They might be a little more dependable / affordable than regular bike tires.  Agree that your pushing your luck at those speeds on bicycle tires.
Mike Sal

[Ricks]

I am not a big believer in using bicycle tires at the speeds we can hit.  Not only that, we are carrying another 100lbs or so over the weight of a cruiser bike that those tires usually we're made to fit.  As far as I know, there is no motorcycle replacement tire for those rims.  Summit racing has been  selling the proper Simplex reproduction tire on eBay for a while now.  That is about the best price you will find.  They are the 26 x 2.50 size.  Paul, think of it as cheap insurance for your bike and more importantly, YOU!

[WillH]

Paul; I'm excited that you are getting that kind of performance from your conversion set-up and hoping I will get similar with mine. I also understand your concern with the bicycle tires. The rim you pictured is what I call a bicycle rim; this is the same as on the "H" I restored in the '70's. I thought this bike was a '47. I have a '40's bike with the wider, more rectangular cross section rims, but still not the 2". I believe all three rims will accept the same tires; I got my Coker tires from Summit Racing; they are a little expensive but no where near what most vintage tires cost; less than $300. tires, tubes and rim strips ; free shipping. These are nice looking tires, even though made in Viet Nam. I had been told the Coker tires had a speed rating and DOT approval , but I see no evidence of either; they are not marked as such. I did quiet a bit of research looking for a cheaper alternative with no luck. It looks like either bicycle or Coker.

Will   

[Bruce]

26x3" kinda flames are what was used on 2008 whizzer ambassador and NER bikes...those hit 40 easily.....just saying

Oh...and there around 25-30 bucks each

[carryall]

I've seen/considered couple types of Whizzer/motorized bike tires with reinforced sidewalls.  I've even considered the Nexxis "hookworm" and Schwalbe has a lot of offerings like the "big Apple" tires, among others with wire beads and Kevlar reinforcement bands, etc... combined with the good H.D. inner tubes being used in the Cokers, it does make for a few less expensive "alternatives".  Depends on your acceptable level of risk/safety you put in your rubber..  (like when I was dating) LOL

[carryall]

I broke down and bought a new set of tires/tubes and rim strips this week.  I received them today and put them on the rims and bike.  I got these (pair) of Cheng Shin heavy duty tires with the good heavy duty/thorn resistant Sunlite tubes with Schrader valves, and H.D rim strips.  The wall thickness is 2X that of normal tires easily and the tread is very thick!  They are rated at 40-65psi so they aren't going to "peel-off/roll-over" for sure.  I got them in 26X2.125 size but I can tell they are taller tires than the regular tires they replaced.  I think they should work out great and the price was right.  The pair of tires, with tubes and rim strips delivered was only $95. 

[pd]

Narrow rims . I wonder how they would mount on the wider rims .
And , they don't seem to have much for a round edge profile . That has me wondering how they will be in the curves .
Maybe you could give us a review after you put a few miles on them .

Pete .

[carryall]

Shall do.  The pic is kind of misleading.  When I took the picture they only had about 30psi.  I had just finished making sure the bead was seated evenly around the rim.  The tread bulged/rounded out more when I got them up to 45+psi. I forgot to mention they also have a wire bead.

[Bruce]

That was a USA eBay seller?

[carryall]

Yes from E-Bay store called Bicycle Bones Classic Bicycles, under Schwinn Whizzer 26" Bicycle heavy duty tires with tubes.

[carryall]

here's a better pic of new rubber on the bike.  looks different without the whitewalls now.

[pd]

Well , they look black . Just like the tires on my bike .

Pete .

[Gramps]

Are they DOT approved?

[carryall]

In my own research looking for tires, I never found, or saw any "Servicycle size tire" that was certified (marked) "DOT Approved" including the tires sold on Whizzers.  I remember someone also saying that the Coker repo tires aren't marked either.  Are there any?  If so, please post example(s).