Tires for 1970 CH

[billpedalino]

Bill,

My 1970 restored Sportster. Rear tire: Continental 4.00x18. Front tire: Continental 3,25x19. If you want a close to stock look on your restoration.

Richard

Spag,

First off, my compliments on such a beautiful restoration. I've restored a 1947 FL (99 points), a 1953 FLE, and a 1964 XLCH, so I can appreciate the work involved in your 1970 XLH. From a parts acquisition standpoint, the CH was by far the most difficult to find parts for. My '70 won't be as factory-original as yours, but close. I plan to have it judged as a Period-Modified machine with the minor modifications that I made as a kid so many years ago. This includes a motor that I stroked back then and just de-stroked - I have no business running around on a stroker Sportster these days! I also converted it to electric/kick back then, which was a popular thing. It's now kick-only. It is a very nostalgic bike for me, so it truly is 'period-modified'.

The tires certainly do look quite similar to the Sport Rib and All-Traction originals. The problem is finding these tires. When I was in the business, I used to be able to have a substantial automotive tire house special order motorcycle tires, but apparently that's not allowed any more. Can you recommend a source for these Continental tires?
Thanks...

[Spag]

Biil

A brief Google search did not reveal any supplier of appropriate Continental tires for a 1970 Sportster like the ones on my bike. The front Continental is available from several sources in Europe. Not sure why Continentals for vintage bikes are no longer being sold in the USA.

Richard

[billpedalino]

Biil

A brief Google search did not reveal any supplier of appropriate Continental tires for a 1970 Sportster like the ones on my bike. The front Continental is available from several sources in Europe. Not sure why Continentals for vintage bikes are no longer being sold in the USA.

Richard

Yes, I'm finding the same information. And they're very expensive!

[joe fxs fxr]

Sportsterpedia says 1970-78 have CM rims. I know many put regular tires on them. I wouldn’t, I would lace in a modern rim.

OK, but where do I get a modern 18" rim?

[billpedalino]

OK, but where do I get a modern 18" rim?

I'm using my original aluminum rims. I understand the Harley Bulletin, but in the mid 1960's through the 80's we mounted tires of all types on these rims without any adverse affects. In fact, I ran Goodyear Eagle. low profile tires on this particular bike for many years and, as a stroker, I can assure you that I wasn't easy on it (I was young and dumb). AND... I didn't use the locking rear rim-to-tire sheet metal screws.
I certainly don't profess to know more than the Engineers who wrote the service bulletin, and I'm not advising anyone to violate the bulletin's advice. But for me, it's an acceptable risk that I'm willing to accept..

[billpedalino]

I received the Continental tires today and they look fairly similar to the Goodyear tires. They were expensive, and (I assume) came from a European source, so they took awhile to receive. But as seen in Sprag's photos above, they should look equally as nice on my Period-Modified CH.
Thanks to all for your input.