XS650 Street Tracker Tire Options?

[jmcninch]

Hey guys, a couple quick questions for you. I have a 1975 XS650 with stock spoked wheels. Currently I have Cheng Shin C180's on my tracker (K70 knock offs). My rear tire is shot and need to replace it. Its a 4.50 - 18. Cheng Shin apparently doesn't distribute to the states anymore and Dunlop doesn't make a 4.50 - 18. only 4.00-18.

So I have decided to look into dual sport tires, and replace them both. I found the Shinko 705 tire which looks like a nice balance between street and dirt (which I do enjoy riding, there are a lot of dirt roads where I live.)

Does anyone have experience purchasing tires that have the metric size designation v. the old standard way. I think a 4.50-18 roughly translates to a 130/90-18? Or something to that effect. The Shino comes in a 150/70-18, how would that pair up to my stock wheels? I believe the rim dimension is something like 2.5" inside, although I don't know for a fact. I am just worried if I went with a 150 it would bulge the tire a lot being a narrow wheel.

Does anyone have any advice?

TL;DR: need to replace a 4.50-18 with a dual sport tire. what size should I get?

[Guest]

Here's a link to equivlents http://www.cb450stuff.com/tires/

Oh yeah to answer this: 130/90-18 and 150/70-18 the difference is both in width and aspect ratio the first is skinnier but higher side wall, and the second fatter but lower side wall, if it will fit in the frame clearnce wise and you can get it to bead up you should be able to run it fine, if thats the correct equivalent you first gave, double check it gainst my link.

[spidr]

I looked at the Shinkos, and ended up buying Kenda K761. Cheap and I liked the pattern, and they seem to ride great on the road, and they dig well(got stuck in the yard digging holes)

They do make a 120/80-18 which is pretty comparable to the 4.5-18 you've got.

Looks like they make the shinko in the same size as well, just depends what you want.

Personally I like the 130 I've got out back, and I run a 100 up front.