tires for a 1982 R100RT

[bluecycle3]

I need tires on my new to me 82 rt and yesterday stopped at the local tire store to look for a set.

The owner who does a lot of tire business in the area told me that the metzler marathon 88 that i wanted to use was to big for my bike, that he didnt think there was a 5mm clearance for the smallest tire in that style, my current rear tire is a ME 77 that is a 4 x 18, he stated that the smallest one in the 88 was a 120 x 18 which is to big.

Is this true? any other suggestions appreciated.

Thanks greg

[Braddog]

I have a '77 R100RS. I replaced a set of ME77's with a combined ME88/ME880 pair.

I'm pretty sure that my original rear was a 4.00 by 18. I just went out in the garage and checked what I have now for sure.

My rear is now an ME88 120x90x18. My front is a ME880 110x90x19. So far, I've got approximately 3000 miles on this set since May, and everything has been great.

Here's what I DON'T know. I do NOT know if the 120x90x18 is the smallest or not, but it is currently working fine on my bike. I haven't measured clearances, so have no idea about the 5 mm measurement. I also do NOT know the subtle differences between an '82 RT and a '77 RS, but there are probably several.

Good Luck.

[bluecycle3]

brad thanks for the quick reply, i think im going to try it with those tires and see what happens, i cant beleive there is that much difference in the bikes. thanks again greg

[dlearl476]

IMHO, you would be much happier with a set of Michelin Macadam 50/50E's. May not get the mileage you would with those Metzelers, but your bike will handle infinitely better . The techology of those tires is almost as old as your bike. A lot has changed in the last 22 years.
I use the Macs on all my older bikes ('69 Duc, 2 X /5s, and my K75) and I love 'em.