Biggest rear for the 450E?

[Steve]

Ya can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink.

Well, Ed, we have done what we can.

All we can do now is to sit back and see if he survives the too-large tire long enough to post his results.

.

[cowboyup3371]

Besides rubbing on the swingarm or the fenders, what else could go wrong with a larger sized tire? I think I know the answer but just looking for confirmation.

[Nessism]

Well, Ed, we have done what we can.

All we can do now is to sit back and see if he survives the too-large tire long enough to post his results.

.

Steve,
He's not going to crash out from going over sized on a tire by one or two sizes. Definitely a matter of looks over performance though, although bulging sidewalls are are more dorky than a skinny tire to me.

[Big T]

Besides rubbing on the swingarm or the fenders, what else could go wrong with a larger sized tire? I think I know the answer but just looking for confirmation.

The wheel rim is too narrow for the tire,pinching the bead and causing the sidewalls to distort and the tread to be more curved than designed. So, you actually end up with less tread on the road (due to the distorted curvature) and you handling gets messed up (back tire tries to lean faster than the front)

So, you can spoon in whatever fits in the physical space, but it just makes things worse instead of better.

That's why the wider rim was suggested

[850 Combat]

My '80 450E has a 120/90-18 Kenda Challenger (was on it when I bought it) . That's about all I think will fit. It's very close to the swingarm.

That is a nice looking bike, Tech. Show us more please.

[gearhead13]

I mounted a 130/80/18 on my 2.15" rear and it was WAY pinched. Looks kinda funny, but its almost worn out now. Im not sure what it does to handling, it was better than my old rubber.
I have a 3.5" 1150 rear wheel for it now that I plan to mount a 150/70/17 on.
my 2 cents

[Tech7]

That is a nice looking bike, Tech. Show us more please.

Thanks again. See my post here in the twins section about my renovation. Theres a couple of pics on my profile. Is that a Catherham?