Tires 1980 KZ750E (KZ750E1)

I recently purchased a 1980 KZ750E with 26k miles for $800

The tires it came with are dry rotting, so I came to the forums here for new tire advice.

The exsisting tires were different sizes than the stock specs
Front: Metzeler ME77 100/90-19
Rear: Metzeler ME77 130/80-18

I was thinking I would just replace them with the same tires but A) Pirelli doesn't import that rear size Metzeler anymore, and B)Metzeler tires were more money than I wanted to spend.

Based on threads in this forum, I have just ordered
Front: Cheng Shin Barracuda C926 100/90-19
Rear: Cheng Shin Barracuda C915 130/80-18

I ordered through JCWhitney.com. Price was right at $93.98 shipped. I also did it through FatWallet.com so I'll get 5% off that purchase price, making the effective deal $89.28. Not bad for 2 tires.

So, does anyone one with a KZ750E use these tires? I went with the 130/80-18 in the rear like the Metzeler was, will the Cheng Shin fit ok at 130 width or should I have went with the 120/90-18?

Any feedback would be great as I could still change the order.

Thank you

I think I'm going to change the order for the rear tire to 120/90-18. What do y'all think?

del

I think your manual calls for a 120 rear tire, although I suspect that a 130 will fit. I have a 1982 KZ750R1 and the manual calls for a 120 rear but the PO spooned on a 130.

stock size for rear is 110, 130 will fit, nothing bigger will go in there with out mods. i'd stay with the 130 myself. hope this helps.

lunch

lunchbox wrote:

stock size for rear is 110, 130 will fit, nothing bigger will go in there with out mods. i'd stay with the 130 myself. hope this helps.

lunch

Lunch

What width is your rear rim? Mine has the stock 2.15.

You can put a 130 on a 2.15 rim, but personally I don't think it's a good idea.
In my humble opinion a 2.15 rim is entirely to narrow to run a 130, it will make the tread have a rounded profile (run on the center of the tread instead of the full tread width) and narrow the contact patch giving you less tread contacting the road.

If it's used in dragracing you can lower the tire air pressure and gain traction by enlarging the contact area, but that makes it to squirrelly for riding on the street.

For street use it's best to stay within the tire manufacturers recommended rim widths.

just my $0.000002

i'm running a stock 2.15, i have a 110 on right now, and i hate it. my brother's running a 130 on the same rim and i feel it handles a million times better in the sharp turns, my tire's almost brand new so i can't justify buying a new 130.

lunch

lunchbox wrote:

i'm running a stock 2.15, i have a 110 on right now, and i hate it. my brother's running a 130 on the same rim and i feel it handles a million times better in the sharp turns, my tire's almost brand new so i can't justify buying a new 130.

lunch

Lunch: Does he have a 130/80 or 130/90? Do you know what brand and model # tire he's using?