Front tire

[Ozarkryder]

Gertbuilt brings up some points I have been thinking about. I was told it is mainly the tread pattern as the reason the rear tire is put on backwards, but there is a difference in construction. Mostly the rear tire is built to be more robust, (thus the extra cost over a front of the same size) but I was also told, and someone may be shoveling it fast and deep on me, that there is a slight difference in the way the tire is made - the bias and direction of the cords, the ovelap of the end of the rubber strip that makes the tread before it is vulcanized, depth of tread, stiffness of the sidewalls, etc. The rear has all the acceleration on it, but (according to the MSF) only 30% or less of the braking.
To kep it simple, rear tire on front because it is more stout, backwards for the tread pattern.

As for the car tire, the front does rotate just a little, not nearly as much as on a 2 wheeler. There is a contingent of "Dark Siders" in the Goldwing community that run a car tire on the rear of thier bikes, and these lean over much more than the front of a trike. Seems to me a car tire on the front would last longer and have a larger contact patch.
It's a moot point for me though - can't find a car tire that fits on the front end of the GW1500. I have seen a trike from Europe, can't remember it's name at the moment, with an Earl's type front end and a car tire. Nice setup, but expensive if I remember.

[drvndbus]

You can buy a tire inteneded for a sidecar and get the flat profile in the tire you are looking for. It looks and functions as a car tire but for cycle with a sidecar. A local shop here in pa sells them for 109.00 a piece but wear very well and are made by bridgestone hope this helps you in your quest

[Gorilla]

I think the biggest difference is the tread depth.

[Puff]

<snip> There is a contingent of "Dark Siders" in the Goldwing community that run a car tire on the rear of thier bikes, and these lean over much more than the front of a trike. Seems to me a car tire on the front would last longer and have a larger contact patch.<snip>

I used to run a car tire on the back of the Valkyrie before I triked it, and as you say, I could quite easily touch the pegs down and have no fear with loss of adhesion. After reading 'The darkside website' I went straight out and replaced the cycle tire. It was less expensive, and outlasted about two or more M/C tires. Loved it

[grimm]

i threw a rear tire up front on mine, too. reversed it as directed by my indy. seems counterintuitive, but after over 10,000 miles, i can say that it has handled fine. rain, gravel, etc...no problems.

grimm

[Gorilla]

grimm how is the wear?

[grimm]

wear is fine! i have noticed no uneven wear or tread issues. i understand that the forces placed on a trike front tire are different than other vehicles, but this tire has handled everything ok.

if anyone has had any issues i would appreciate hearing about the drawbacks of this type of setup.

grimm

[Gorilla]

Thank you and it looks good up there also.

[BlueTrinity]

I dunno Ted; I think the tread wear will be fine, but the wear on the inside of the pony's fenders may be another matter.

[Gorilla]

I didn't see any room for a fender. Figured he was doing the no fender look.

[BlueTrinity]

Was refering to your's. Sounded like you were considering trying it.

[Gorilla]

Cool I got ya now. I will be, but I will look for the size that fits my front in a rear tire.

[kiorana123]

<div class="bbcode_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote">
<div class="quote_container">
<div class="bbcode_quote_container"></div>

<div class="bbcode_postedby">
<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Baz</strong>
<a href="showthread.php?p=26916#post26916" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a>
</div>
<div class="message">Puff be warned -- It is not legal to reverse the DOR in New Zealand &amp; some other countries I know of . I suspect Aus to be the same. Doing so see's your insurance void not to mention other non compliant issues. Baz.</div>

</div>
</div>
</div>Great to see you today. My e-mail is <a href="mailto:ian_h1@orcon.net.nz">ian_h1@orcon.net .nz</a> if you want to confirm yours. We were talking about tires, what would you put down the back and what would you put on the front? The Dunlops on the Harley spec trike are different to mine. Lots of talk about Metzler 880 for the front and I note you have car tires on the back but you may have wider rims than the Champion conversion. Looking forward to triking with you in the New Year. Ian.

<img src="images/smilies/wave4.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Wave4" class="inlineimg" />:Pepper:

[kj5ix]

I realize this thread is old, but here is something to thing about.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />
Tires Directional Arrows Explained By Avon Tyres<br />
Published by Cyril Huze August 23rd, 2009 in Builders, Editorial and Wheels. <br />
Before we can talk about directional arrows you must first understand a bit about tread patterns. <br />
There are many different tread patterns but there is one main reason to have any tread and that <br />
is to disperse water. (dust, dirt)<br />
A tread pattern can be designed to disperse more water by making it rotate in only one direction. <br />
Thus, the need for directional arrows. The arrow tells you which way to mount a tire for maximum <br />
water dispersal. Another, less apparent reason for directional arrows is the tread splice.<br />
What is a tread splice? When a tire is manufactured the tread portion of the tire starts out as <br />
a long flat strip. This strip is wrapped around the tire and the two ends are cut on an angle <br />
so one end overlaps the other rather than having square cut ends.<br />
This overlapping point or splice offers a bigger surface area to bond together, rather than the <br />
small surface area provided by square cut ends. (Imagine gluing your fingertips together, as <br />
opposed to gluing along the entire length of your fingers laid on top of each other.

Like an <br />
angled splice, the overlapping fingers result in a much stronger bond).<br />
To further ensure the strength of this bond along the tread splice the directional arrow will show <br />
you which way to mount the tire so that when the rider is “on the gas”; the acceleration force on <br />
the rear tire is pressing the splice together, rather than peeling it back. <br />
As for braking, 80 % of the braking should take place in the front on most bikes. Therefore, the <br />
front tread splice is run in the opposite direction than that of the rear, so when the rider is on <br />
the brakes, he’s not peeling the tread splice back.<br />
If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation only and for some reason you <br />
want to put it on the front, make sure it is rotating in the opposite direction so you don’t <br />
aggravate the tread splice. <br />
Avon Tyres.<br />
<a href="http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2009/08/23/tires-directional-arrows-explained-by-avon-tyres/" target="_blank">Tires Directional Arrows Explained By Avon Tyres at Cyril Huze Blog</a>

[trikeman Ct 2009]

I have a oversize rear tire on the front of my 86 Goldwing trike. I have more tire on the road because its wider, better in wet weather. Best thing i did.