Rim & Tire Clearance Issues?

T95 · Apr 5, 2011

I would like to know if I will have any clearance issues running Am26 100/90-19 front and rear on a wm3 rims. This is for a 71 Roadster? I have read other discussions on this topic with the exception of my year and model. Unfortunately I have not yet decided on the style of rim.
Thanks, Gary

Hobot · Apr 5, 2011

Don't know the fit for AM26 but have had a hell of a time fitting other version of 100/90 on rear WM3. Its doable but I'll not attempt it no more as 100/90 don't wear long enough to make the hassle worth it.

askdoctorday · Apr 5, 2011

Don't know about your exact bike- but I have a pair of 100/90x19's on my 1968 stock/stock/stock Commando. No clearance problems at all with frame, fenders, stays, etc. and they ride and handle very nicely for me.

T95 · Apr 6, 2011

So the real decision here is WM2 or WM3 19"rims. Difficult choice considering I haven't ridden in thirty years. So after reading through many posts it seems the 100/90x 19 AM26 combos is quite popular. A couple of guys have posted having clearance issues on the front, but they were different years/models than mine.
Like much of the information I read I would like to know if it applies to my year and model, and if not why. Did the fork width change over the years or was the fender height the only change between models?

T95 · Apr 6, 2011

hobot said:
Don't know the fit for AM26 but have had a hell of a time fitting other version of 100/90 on rear WM3. Its doable but I'll not attempt it no more as 100/90 don't wear long enough to make the hassle worth it.

Steve,
Was the problem getting the tire on/off the wm3 rim or clearance issues between tire and frame/shocks running the WM3's?
It been suggested many times the WM3 is the correct rim for the 100/90, and that is why I am considering it over the WM2.

bpatton · Apr 6, 2011

T95 said:
So the real decision here is WM2 or WM3 19"rims. Difficult choice considering I haven't ridden in thirty years. So after reading through many posts it seems the 100/90x 19 AM26 combos is quite popular. A couple of guys have posted having clearance issues on the front, but they were different years/models than mine.

Gary,

Check out he sizing chart on the Avon site. Then compare the recommended rim widths for RoadRiders. 2.15" (WM3) is the minimum for a 100/90 tire. WM3's front and rear would be the way to go.

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/ ... nformation

T95 · Apr 6, 2011

bpatton said:
T95 said:

So the real decision here is WM2 or WM3 19"rims. Difficult choice considering I haven't ridden in thirty years. So after reading through many posts it seems the 100/90x 19 AM26 combos is quite popular. A couple of guys have posted having clearance issues on the front, but they were different years/models than mine.

Click to expand...

Gary,

Check out he sizing chart on the Avon site. Then compare the recommended rim widths for RoadRiders. 2.15" (WM3) is the minimum for a 100/90 tire. WM3's front and rear would be the way to go.

http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/ ... nformation

Thanks ,
I have seen a bit of variety in the "recommended " rim widths , but no doubt it should fit nicely onto the Wm3.

kraakevik · Apr 6, 2011

My 4.10X19 TT100 on a WM2 rim has only 3/16" of windage between the fender stays and brace all around on my '72 Combat--everything needs readjustment every time the wheel or the fender comes off.

At some point the factory increased the fender size, I believe, to accommodate the bigger tire--might be an issue worth checking out if the wider rim and reasonably big tire affect fender clearance on your '71--good luck

Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net
Two Commandos

mcvic750 · Apr 6, 2011

I have just been through this exact process. I have a ’71 and read myself to a standstill with the great tyre threads on here :? What I went for at the end of the day was AM26 100/90 – 19 front and back on my original WM2 rims. (Check, but when I looked the recommend for a ’71 on the Avon web site was AM26 100/90 – 19) The bike shop that fitted them had no problems fitting them, in fact despite my best efforts they fitted the front twice, the second time the right way round :roll:

I thought it was clear enought as tyres were already off to fit new spokes :roll: .

Rear should be on this weekend but front end is still being sorted

Cheers
McVic

T95 · Apr 6, 2011

kraakevik said:
At some point the factory increased the fender size, I believe, to accommodate the bigger tire--might be an issue worth checking out if the wider rim and reasonably big tire affect fender clearance on your '71--good luck

Tim,
3/16 is a tight fit and exactly why I am asking. I don't have the experience and I don't want to end up with the wrong set up for my bike!

bpatton · Apr 6, 2011

T95 said:
Thanks ,
I have seen a bit of variety in the "recommended " rim widths , but no doubt it should fit nicely onto the Wm3.

They only list one size for 'recommened' width, that's 2.5"
The min/max is 2.15"/2.75". So WM3 is the minimum size rim for that tire.
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/roadrider

T95 · Apr 6, 2011

mcvic750 said:
I have just been through this exact process. I have a ’71 and read myself to a standstill with the great tyre threads on here :?

I am reading way to much myself. I think I would actually need to get started on something before I could go any slower.

What I went for at the end of the day was AM26 100/90 – 19 front and back on my original WM2 rims. (Check, but when I looked the recommend for a ’71 on the Avon web site was AM26 100/90 – 19) The bike shop that fitted them had no problems fitting them, in fact despite my best efforts they fitted the front twice, the second time the right way round :roll:

I thought it was clear enought as tyres were already off to fit new spokes :roll: .

Rear should be on this weekend but front end is still being sorted

When you get the front installed in the forks can you let me know how she fits? I have seen a few versions of that tire rim chart. Looks like the WM 2 is the minimum recommended rim width and the Wm3 is in the mid range.
By the way nice looking bike, is it newly restored or a runner with new rubber?
Gary
Cheers
McVic

xbacksideslider · Apr 6, 2011

On my '73 750, I'm running a 19" WM3 Borrani up front and a 18" WM3 Borrani on the rear; both with fat Avons, as I sit here, I forget their designations, not AM26s though; they're non DOT "race" tires. 100/90 and 120/80 I think.

The front tire cannot be inflated, it must be deflated to get the clearance to get it in there and I replaced the fender/fork brace studs with bolts to increase the clearance as well.

The rear tire has less than 1/16th" clearance to the chain guard but plenty of clearance on both sides to the swing arm.

ILLF8ED · Apr 6, 2011

I have the same combination Avon AM26 100/90-19 front and back on my '72 roadster and agree with the clearance Tim mentions. Front fenders got wider in '73 with the introduction of the stainless steel variant. I would think this size tire on a WM-3 rim would not fit on the front of my machine.

kraakevik said:
My 4.10X19 TT100 on a WM2 rim has only 3/16" of windage between the fender stays and brace all around on my '72 Combat--everything needs readjustment every time the wheel or the fender comes off.

At some point the factory increased the fender size, I believe, to accommodate the bigger tire--might be an issue worth checking out if the wider rim and reasonably big tire affect fender clearance on your '71--good luck

Tim Kraakevik
kraakevik@voyager.net
Two Commandos

Hobot · Apr 6, 2011

hobot was barely able to stretch a 100/90 on rear WM3. i've mostly run 110/80 on front WM2 with clearance. I mostly run 120 on WM3 on rear and only issue was a bit tight to get in place if the drum side still on swing arm but then cleared fine to roll. Narrow tires feel best on Commandos, just don't last long on rear is all.

T95 · Apr 7, 2011

This is a tough call that is exasperated by my lack of experience! I need to make a tire selection, choose the correct rim size and style and possibly deal with clearance issues , Dam!
So I thought I was going to redo my bike as a mostly stock runner which limits my choice on rim styles, 19" dimpled but the chrome verses aluminum is still to be debated.

I know I am limited on tire selection on the 19" rims. I researched this forum and the Avon AM26 Roadriders seem to rule the popularity contest. So I though, good enough for me!

Along with the AM26 the 100,90-19 size appeared a popular choice for both front and rear. I like the flexibility of rotating front to rear as the tire wears. (Not that I am ever going to need too at this rate!) I know Avon recommends the WM3 as the minimum sized rim but other members report running them on WM2 rims without issue.

The WM3 also won the popularity contest over the WM2, with an occasional complaint of clearance issues on both front and rear.

Thanks to those of you with experience, It looks like my 71 falls under the realm of clearance issues. With that being said the WM2 is looking more attractive. I am also open to further discussion, opinions and ridicule on this topic!
Gary

bpatton · Apr 7, 2011

Why not put a WM2 on the front and a WM3 on the rear, then mount the AM26 100/90V-19 on the rear and a AM26 90/90V-19 on the front. The only drawback would be that you can't rotate them. A lot of people rave about the 90/90 on the front and there wouldn't be any chance of any clearance problems on your particular bike.

Plan B: WM2/WM3's with 100/90's on both. If you have clearance or handling problems you can always go down to a 90/90 on front and keep the extra 100/90 for when the rear wears out. Most people go through two rears for every front anyway.

xbacksideslider · Apr 7, 2011

Back in the 70's I loved the combo of WM2s front and rear and Dunlop K-81s front and rear, 300/19 front and 410/19 rear. No doubt, a narrow front works well.

batrider · Apr 7, 2011

'72 with disk brake here. I found it was much easier to get the wheel in there if you use bolts instead of studs and nuts on the center fender mount. I'm still on a Super Venom though, not the AM26 on the front. I don't remember the size - I think 100/90 on an Akront WM-2 flanged rim. (I switched rims back in the late 70s when it was the hot setup.) The data sheets used to specify WM-2 as the minimum size. It looks normal though - not ballooned out around the rim.

The bolt method came much later from the Old Britts site.

Next time I will try a 90/90 AM26 per suggestion from bill (Windy).

Edit: lost a few brain cells too... Front is WM-3 x 19" with 100/90V19 Avon Super Venom. I think these are not made anymore. WM-3 rim OK for 90/90 also but tire on there looks in good shape so it will be a while. Rear is a Road Rider.

T95 · Apr 7, 2011

bpatton said:
Why not put a WM2 on the front and a WM3 on the rear, then mount the AM26 100/90V-19 on the rear and a AM26 90/90V-19 on the front. The only drawback would be that you can't rotate them. A lot of people rave about the 90/90 on the front and there wouldn't be any chance of any clearance problems on your particular bike.

Plan B: WM2/WM3's with 100/90's on both. If you have clearance or handling problems you can always go down to a 90/90 on front and keep the extra 100/90 for when the rear wears out. Most people go through two rears for every front anyway.

Bob,
I like it! Thanks for the options. Discussions of a smaller front tire quickening the handling really won't be an issue for me due to my lack of experience.

Rim & Tire Clearance Issues?

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