1. Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Sweden - About 1988 and older

Tire help 1972 wr250

Discussion in 'Vintage Restoration Projects' started by rob kelly, Jun 15, 2017.

  1. rob kelly Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 wr250
    Hi. I'm wanting to change the tires on my '72 wr250 as i was told the ones on it are the originals it was sold with.
    The current tires are Trelleborg T544 and i'm told mitas make new tires from the old molds but i can't seem to match them to what i've got. My question is, what do you think look most like the originals or ten masters? I'm guessing these...

    Rear... http://www.mitas.co.uk/Trail-Tyres/Mitas-XT754-Formerly-TrelleborgTen-Master.Html?cPath=5

    Front... http://www.mitas.co.uk/Motocross-Tyres/Mitas-C19-Red-Band.Html

    Thanks, Rob
  2. Crashaholic Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Antelope Valley, CA.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    73 450WR 6spd motor in a 75 MK frame
    For tread reference here are pics of a set of 544 Trelleborgs I sold a few years back. The modern day tires I use for a similar vintage tread pattern are the Metzeler Unicross and Pirelli MT16's.

    DSCN9967.JPG

    DSCN9957.JPG

    Metzeler Unicross
    s-l300.jpg

    Pirelli MT16
    s-l500 b.jpg
  3. wrx Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    845 newyork
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1973 to 1986 husky's various models
    Other Motorcycles:
    RM -250 / Buell / Penton 400 mc5
    metzelers all the way
  4. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
  5. rob kelly Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 wr250
    Cheers guys, the metzelers look a good match. Will a 120/90/18 fit the rear ok? I was under the impression it should be 110/100/ 18 and I can't find that size in the unicross. I've found a unicross front in 90/90/21 so that should be ok. Cheers bigbill but i'm trying to keep it as original looking as possible.
  6. wrx Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    845 newyork
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1973 to 1986 husky's various models
    Other Motorcycles:
    RM -250 / Buell / Penton 400 mc5
    the tire sizes you speak about are correct. 12/90-18 and 90/90-21 will work great.
  7. Crashaholic Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Antelope Valley, CA.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    73 450WR 6spd motor in a 75 MK frame
    I agree with wrx the Metzeler will fit. To get an idea of what they look like installed on MJ and MK frames heres a couple of bike pics, one with a Metzeler rear Unicross and one with Pirelli MT16 front and rear.

    Pirelli MT16 front and rear.
    DSCN1105 b.JPG

    DSCN1151 b.JPG

    Metzeler Unicross Rear, not sure what the front is.
    DSC00049.JPG
    justintendo and wrx like this.
  8. rob kelly Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 wr250
    Cheers crashaholic, the bikes look great, really nice! Tires don't look out of place on it, i'm going to order them now. Thanks for your help again.
    wrx likes this.
  9. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
  10. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    Facts for tires, just for fun. Lol

    It calls for a 350-18/400-18 rear tire

    The 120-100 = 500-18/510-18 size wise.

    For originality the tire list says trelleborg only for '72wr. The '73 has the trellborg as standard with the metzler and Barnum as optional. I wish we still had trellborg ten masters. They were some meaty sneakers. And they kept the front leading lug edge square too.
  11. Crashaholic Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Antelope Valley, CA.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    73 450WR 6spd motor in a 75 MK frame
    I agree that the 120 Metzeler may more rear tire than a 250 should have and for this reason the Pirelli 110/100 is probably better suited. The Pirelli is what I've been putting on my pre 75 stuff when riding is going to be the primary use. For strictly show and light riding NOS 400x18 Barums show up on Ebay periodically at a reasonable prices.
  12. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    Good info. I guess we can say we're all tired out for now? Lol
  13. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    the pirelli and unicross are almost identical...especially since the unicross got taller lugs the past few years. good tough tires that work well in many conditions.
    wrx likes this.
  14. Vinskord Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    400 CR
    Tire sizes across manufactures sometimes vary. Pics below show a Trelleborg, Metzeler, Pirelli, and Barum for reference. Sizes do vary a bit based on the rim it is mounted on and of course wear and tear.

    If someone could measure their current Metzeler Unicross 120/90x18 for comparison that would be great.

    Trelleborg 4.50-18 T544 125mm
    T 544 - Copy.jpg

    Metzeler 4.00-18 (tire from the 70's) 116mm
    M MX - Copy.jpg


    Pirelli 110/100-18 MT16 120mm
    MT 16 - Copy.jpg


    Barum 4.00-18 S19A 109mm
    B S19A - Copy.jpg
  15. rob kelly Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 wr250
    cheers for the help guys. The metzelers have arrived and i think they are a good match. I'll measure them once they're fitted.
    husky tire.jpg

    husky tire2.jpg
  16. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    Every rear wheel I buy or seen before has 500-17 or 500-18 tire on it. These tires look bigger, wider than the tires today in the 500 series tire.
  17. wrx Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    845 newyork
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1973 to 1986 husky's various models
    Other Motorcycles:
    RM -250 / Buell / Penton 400 mc5
    he already purchased the tires. 5.00 x ? series tires are to big for a 250 anyway .
    justintendo likes this.
  18. Bigbill Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    '83 250wr
    Other Motorcycles:
    0 right now
    I'm saying the used tires on bikes I purchase are bigger than some of the newer 500:17/18 tires of today.
    I understand in running the orginal size tire on the older husky that is what fits it. But some 500:17/18 tires are different size wise. The widths are different. I'll do a post with pics when I get a chance.