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How big can I go on 19" tires 1954 165 ST

PostPosted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 10:42 pm
by Youngblood
Avon Safety Mileage MKII.jpg
Avon Safety Mileage MKII
Avon Safety Mileage MKII.jpg (55.82 KiB) Viewed 8128 times
Coker 4.0 19.jpg
Coker 4.0 19
Coker 4.0 19.jpg (89.49 KiB) Viewed 8128 times
Wondering if a 4.0-19 tire will work with my stock fenders on a 1954 165 ST? I know the originals were 3.25/3.5 - 19. Curious if anyone has run the Coker Tire 72223 Firestone Blackwall 400-19 or I'm also looking at the Avon Safety Mileage MKII. The Avon come in 3.5-19 so I will probably go that route but the Coker looks pretty much like the original 1954 tires that are still on my bike.

Re: How big can I go on 19" tires 1954 165 ST

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 2:39 pm
by troymessina
I just bought a '53 ST165. I have a 4x19 Firestone rear tire that is very old. It clears by 1/8 to 1/4". My front wheel is an 18" that must be from a later model? It has a 3.5x18 tire that easily fits. I am bringing this question back to life. Is there a reason to avoid 4" tires and stay with 3.25 or 3.5"?

Re: How big can I go on 19" tires 1954 165 ST

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 4:24 pm
by Mutt
I may fit, but it.s quite a nit heavier

Re: How big can I go on 19" tires 1954 165 ST

PostPosted: Tue Mar 29, 2022 10:52 pm
by hennesse
The 4:00 x 19 is too big. The small amount of clearance may disappear with potholes and bumps.

An oft-overlooked tire is the Dunlop K70 3:50x19 (57P). Yes, the tread design is British, but it's a readily-available modern tire that can be used front or rear. Heck, you can buy them on Amazon for $94. Other places have them at around the same price.

K70-Gray-1.jpg
K70-Gray-1.jpg (37.11 KiB) Viewed 5444 times


1954 was the last year for 19" wheels on the Harley K-models, which had almost the same fenders as the Hummers. My 54 KH came with a 4:00-19 Goodyear Grasshopper on the rear, and it rubbed the fender. There aren't a lot of choices in 3:50x19 tires. Since I ride the bike at speed in traffic, I wanted safe, modern tires, and I picked the 3:50-19 Dunlop K70s. The KH is a much heavier and faster (60-70 mph) bike than the Hummers, and I've been quite pleased with them.

DMH_014985-72-720x576.jpg
1954 Harley KH with Dunlop K70s
DMH_014985-72-720x576.jpg (137.63 KiB) Viewed 5444 times

Re: How big can I go on 19" tires 1954 165 ST

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 1:21 pm
by Jgeekie54
Hey
I went bigger both times....on my 1954 165st and my 1950 BSA Bantam D1.....and both times I ran into trouble.
How much over the years has your bike been messed with!?
Frames differ....fenders differ.....chain width.....everything. Lots to consider.
I now run stock sizes.....and no trouble. Rides great! Looks great!
Sometimes the only way to tell is to try it.
I was able to then sell those tires no problem.
I would mention that opening up all the mounting holes on the fender and the stays a little bigger to allow for more adjustment
when fitting and assembling everything back together helps a lot. You can then use washers.
Even running stock tires things are close.
Good luck.

Re: How big can I go on 19" tires 1954 165 ST

PostPosted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 1:48 pm
by troymessina
I decided to go with stock sizes to replace them. One issue is simply finding stock sizes right now, particularly with a non-original front wheel. I am buying an 18" and a 19" and trying to have them match. I went with Metzeler Block C. Hopefully, by the time I replace this set of tires I will have an original 19" front wheel.