Car Tire on Front

[harleyman]

wondering if I could put a car tire on the front of my Ultraclassic/frankenstein trike.

[Nana]

I don't think a car tire is recommended, harleyman. However many of our riders of touring trikes have very successfully used what are normally rear motorcycle tires on their front wheel. There are a number of very informative threads discussing this.... do a search for "front tire" and you'll have more to read than you ever thought!

BTW... some recommend mounting that new tire in reverse rotation, some recommend against that. Honestly, the reports after well over 20,000 miles of great riding on that tire are equally good. I don't think you will go wrong with either option.

And a big TrikeTalk welcome to you!

[screwball]

Here is a question to answer your question....


W H Y

[Gunny_]

I know there is a lot of controversy about car tires on the rear of two wheelers but has anyone looked into putting a ct on the front of the trike. I've read about using rear tires mounted backwards with good results. Wouldn't the forces on the trike front tire be about the same as those on a car front tire?

[Trent]

I spent a good deal of time working with my local auto tire dealer to come up with a feasible car tire to try on the front of my TG. Couldnt find one that would work.

So...I put on a rear motorcycle tire and reversed it. Just got back from a 2400 mile trip and it worked great. Grabs on the turns and feels solid going down the road and in the curves. I am still interested in the car tire theory though.

[Nana]

The big issue would be finding a car tire to fit the motorcycle rim, fender, and forks, I think.

[Trent]

You are correct Nana...That is what the problem was..gotta have that rounded sidewall to clear everything,,We sure gave it a good try for a coupla hours though.

[Gunny_]

I've search around quite a bit also and everything is too wide.

[Rsw]

Many years ago, I mounted two VW Beatle tires for a guys motorcycle. You could always lace you up a 15 inch spoke wheel and give it a try. I think they were 165-15's.

[Cougar]

I have brand new old VW tire that size in my garage and it will not fit . have looked into this for somtime now. wish it could happen soon!

[Rsw]

I have brand new old VW tire that size in my garage and it will not fit . have looked into this for somtime now. wish it could happen soon!

What size are they? What rim did you use?

[Cougar]

165 15's and I want to use the rim that comes with my Venture !

[Cougar]

I do own 2 old beetles 66/67 show cars with the same size tires on them so no loss there :-)

[Cougar]

maybe you could lace me up a rim

[Veritas44]

Unless you plan to convert your bike/trike to a Center-Hub steered (zero-camber) assembly,,, don't even think about it.
Stick with the rear compound motorcycle tire.

[Cougar]

I understand that one of the MC tire dealers are working on a better compound for the trikes front now.

[Pegasus1300]

Avon has been rumored to be doing that. I don't know what their hold up is as they have been making a flat profile tire for sidecars for years. So does Metzler.

[Cougar]

yeah that's the company Avon.. yep.

[bentrider2249]

I just put a Metzler on the front of my VTX1800, have about 1K miles on it so far so good.

[Rsw]

maybe you could lace me up a rim

Box one up and send it my way. Be more then happy to do one for you!!