Hilly's 1999 XL1200S

6/6
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    13 days ago
    "I'm not seeing much available for 130/90-16 dual sport wise"

    I will add that it looks like there is nothing in that size .
    You may be able to source a Kenda K761 from O/S .

    It may sound odd, but I'd suggest trying to source a Fatbob front for the rear :
    Then do a little re-grooving .
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    13 days ago
    NZ has these....

    Mt60rs 130-90~B-16 67H Tl Ff 16 - Moto | Hyper Ride https://share.google/3f5x3ULc5yZAMjgBL

    Can that it's a front, google led me astray, bloke from motorcycle tyre warehouse set me straight, there are zero available in our market like you said speedzter, I'm thinking cheap is the way to go now lol.
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    13 days ago
    It's either these or the cheapest shinkos, any experience with them out there?
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    13 days ago
    Using a front on the rear is not as unusual as you'd think .
    But I get it if you don't want to go there !
    For dirt riding, having grip on the front is a bit more important than the rear, so that part is easy to sort . 

    Shinko is pretty big these day, a lot of Harley guys are running them (unsure what version in a 130 - 712 ? - bargain $).
    Kenda is also big in the dirt market, but unsure of their road tyres.
    I'm sure the 671 will be fine ( been around for over 10 years like the Shinko 712). 
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    13 days ago
    Legal nuances if things go pear shaped kinda pull me up on running a front on the rear, I don't want to mismatch front and rear either as the bike won't be solely on dirt and I can foresee situations that a difference in grip could cause me grief, thanks for all the suggestions though, I'll mull my options over.
  • obisteve
    obisteve
    12 days ago
    Hilly this might sound like a weird recommendation, but it's backed a lot of miles on dirt roads, beach work on Fraser Island, and on the sandy tracks in the Pilliga Scrub.
    I've gone through a lot of 4.10 x 19 Dunlop K81s on the Sporty. It's a 60s style tyre so it's got big tread grooves and it's got big separate blocks around the tread edge. I've got a 21 front now with an Avon Trekrider on it, typical modern adv tyre, and I wouldn't guarantee it's any better performing on dirt than the old style Dunlop. The other thing, they have a stiff sidewall so cope OK with dropping the pressure to under 25 psi, spreading out to give a big footprint.
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    12 days ago
    I'll check em out Steve, thanks.
    Pulled the seals to check the bearings condition and see what the shim pack thickness was, shims were in the wrong side, clueless to whether that matters or not, discounting the stepped washer the pack was .8 of a mm but that's a moot find as the pulley side bearing was toast.
    EasyR sell an All balls kit, they any good? I could chase up the timkin bearing separately but by the time you add bearings and seals and postage you are at roughly the same price point.
    I don't have a tapered bearing remover installer, I only have a stick welder and I'm not keen on putting a bead on the bearing with that, I can get one on flea bay for just under 80 bucks, maybe that's the ticket?
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    12 days ago
    All Balls gear may not always be Oem quality,  but it generally works perfectly fine.
    If you had a local bearing supply shop it might be different. 
    Tapered bearings are good and bad .
    Superior in lots of ways, but a lot more work to set up. 
    Stick welders suck for that sort of work !

  • Hilly
    Hilly
    12 days ago
    Ended up going with timkins, they, seals, shim kit and installer/remover on the way, gawd knows when it will all turn up given the madness that is the postal service at this time of year.
  • beaglebasher
    beaglebasher
    11 days ago
    Quoting speedzter on 05 Dec 2025 01:43 AM

    If you need any advice on Brake fluid, I think we have a member here that has some experience 😁

    Cheeky bastard
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    2 days ago
    Still waiting on parts, sigh!

6/6