GL1100 Tire Replacement

[crazzy450z]

So.. With our rides now pushing over 40 years old. It seems like we are starting to run slim on choices for tires. The rear's seem to be fine, but finding the correct sized front tires is starting to become problematic..

My ride is a 83' GL1100 Aspencade.
Stock tires are 120/90-18 front, 140/90-16 rear..
Wheel sizes are 2.5x18 front and 3.0x16 rear..

I'm having trouble finding a matched set of correct tires. the narrowness of the stock front wheel is the hurdle.

To add to the confusion, I'm also planning on doing the GL1200 swing arm, GL1500 final drive / wheel swap.
the GL1500 stock rear tire size is 160/80-16 with a 3.5x16 wheel..
The front tire is a 130/70-18 on a 3.0x18 wheel.

What is everyone running for available matched sets of tires? Can some of the guys who have done the rear end swap chime in on the widest tire they have been able to fit, and still find a matching front tire?

I was considering the Metezeler ME888 Marathon Ultra, but the closest front tire they make is a 110/90-18 which is slightly shorter tire. This would throw off the speedo and odometer even more then it already seems to be..

Am I being to OCD with wanting a matching set of tires? Does it matter??

[DenverWinger]

I've never had problem finding Dunlop D404's for my 1100, but I'm not sure the 83 Aspy has same size wheels as the 80 STD. New D404 on rear 4 yrs ago, new front D404 last year.

Of course a rear end swap might put a kink in that. Don't know if the 404 comes in size for 1500 wheel. Could put an E4 on rear (might be too wide for swingarm though) and D404 on front.

[crazzy450z]

I've never had problem finding Dunlop D404's for my 1100, but I'm not sure the 83 Aspy has same size wheels as the 80 STD. New D404 on rear 4 yrs ago, new front D404 last year.

Of course a rear end swap might put a kink in that. Don't know if the 404 comes in size for 1500 wheel. Could put an E4 on rear (might be too wide for swingarm though) and D404 on front.

Would you mind measuring your D404's actual install width? I'd like to compare that to what Dunlop has posed on their site.

Yes they make the Dunlop D404 in the stock sizes for a 83 Aspy. But Unfortinatually not for stock size for the 1500 rear wheel..

The Dunlop site recommends the Elite 4 for a 1500 in its stock size.. I'm considering swapping the front tire. I may go with the 1500 front or a ST1100 front, this would allow me to run the Elite 4's front and rear.. I just need to find a local shop that has them on the shelf so I can see how the actual installed with compares to the what Dunlop posts on their web site.

[Overdog]

I ran a set of Commander 2 on my 83. Had to use 130/70 on the front (It threw the speedo calibration off). I got about 16k from each. I replaced the rear with another Commander 2 but put a Bridgestone BT-45 REAR tire on the front. I'm at about 13K on the front with plenty of tread left. I'm sure it will go over 20K.

[crazzy450z]

I ran a set of Commander 2 on my 83. Had to use 130/70 on the front (It threw the speedo calibration off). I got about 16k from each. I replaced the rear with another Commander 2 but put a Bridgestone BT-45 REAR tire on the front. I'm at about 13K on the front with plenty of tread left. I'm sure it will go over 20K.

That was my worry too, throwing the speedo calibration off.. I know mine is already slightly off as I routinely run the Waze GPS app on my phone mounted on my faring.. I just don't want it farther out.. LOL..