Tire question of a newb - 93 CB250

Gritty22

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Hi Guys,

Sorry if this is the wrong place, or just a dumb question. I'm fairly new here so if I messed up I'd be much obliged if you let me know.

I got a cheap starter bike, and it needs tires - 93 CB250 (Nighthawk).

I got a quote from a local shop to set me up with the whole kit (tires, tubes, install) and it came out to about $500 bucks. Well, I know this isn't going to be a cheap hobby, but to me that seems steap. Add on top of that - it will be 4-6 weeks before they can get me in, well you sort of know where this is going.

I'm going to give the zip tie approach a go, so I'll need the tires, tubes, ties and a stand/lift to get me started. Pretty sure I can break the bead with a vice, so won't be investing in that tool. I've checked out a few videos on this and it looks like something a semi-capable adult can pull off without maiming themselves or destroying their bike, but if you disagree please chime in.

So the above is prelude to my real question - the bike calls for 90/100/18 upfront and 120/90/16 in back. The back isn't an issue, but apparently 90/100/18 is a bit of a unicorn. What would be the real world impact of going with the more available (and less expensive) 90/90/18 upfront? Would it throw off the handling? Would I need to size down the rear as well (maybe 120/80/16)?

If you read all of that, thank you! If you're willing to answer thanks again in advance.
 
The 90/90 is LESS than 1/4" shorter in height (road to axle) and I doubt you will even notice that...Keep the 120/90 at the rear.....
 
So I sourced a couple tires + tubes for a total of $163 (AMT), all the pieces needed to add an OEM center stand for $100 (procaliber) and a pack of 20" zip ties for $16.

Given I planned to do the center stand at some point anyway, I really think this is going to be a good deal. Plus I will learn a new skill!

All in I'm looking at about $280 vs the $470 I was quoted. Hopefully I don't wind up regretting this :)

If It goes okay I'll post about it in the project section.
 
Just be careful with the tire tools so you don't pinch the tube. That's the biggest challenge to learn when changing tubed tires
 
Thank you for the info, unfortunately the nearest store is 18 miles away. That may not sound like much, but it is in New Jersey - which means driving a 250cc with cracked side walls across a 6 lane bridge over the Delaware River or renting a trailer to drop off an pick up, which is a quite a hassle.
 
They won't work on the bike, you have to take the wheels into them. Call them and see what they have on hand and use the website to see what tires they offer.
 
Oddly enough they have only one tire (location agnostic) that is 120/90/16 (the rear for my bike) on the site and it is a dirt bike tire. It is really interesting that a bike like the CB250, that Honda built about a million of during it's run would be so hard to find tires for, but time marches on I suppose...
 
Time marches on, and the overall popularity in the eyes of the aftermarket manufacturers is a big factor too. For whatever reason, the SOHC 400/450 big brothers to the CB250 get ignored as well. I've never owned one and wouldn't know, but LDR has mentioned it many times.
 
The 120/90/16 rear tire has been a problem finding for years, that's why a lot of people are running a 130 even though it barely fits in the 400/450 swing arm. Looking at current 120/90/16 tires I find nothing other that IRC, Shinko and Cheng Shin of which I can't recommend any.
I did fine 120/80/16 available in these. A slightly shorter tire at 80% sidewall instead of 90
Bridgestone Battlax SC
Continental Conti Scoot
 
So, in the interest of closing the loop on this thread (not that you all are clamoring for closure, but maybe there is a slight curiosity) here is how my plan worked out - BADLY!

First off; the zip tie experiment - I'm not going to tell you this doesn't work, but the fact is I spent a ton of time fighting this on both sides, and never got anywhere close to successfully executing the removal or install of the rear tire through this method. Like all things YouTube you can view a video of a guy pulling the ties tight and slipping a tire off and new one on in 30 seconds like changing an air filter, I guess I am simply not that guy. I advise you all to take those videos with a grain of salt. My failure doesn't ensure your failure, just sharing.

Next; Tools on hand - having decided not to buy dedicated tire irons because I had bought into the zip tie theory, and having removed my wheel already I tried my hand with what was already in my kit, namely a pair of pry bars and some screw drivers. This worked well enough for removal, using card board from shipping boxes to protect my rims I had the tire off lickity split. Next I managed to get the first lip onto the rim, feed in the tube and then the trouble began. Hours of fighting the second lip, every inch on led to an inch off. So off to harbor freight to get some real tire irons and a vise (the vise was to set my starting point to that it wouldn't come off as I got the other side on). Back at it, with better tools and plenty off elbow grease and a full weekend at this point out the window, I get the tire on!

Took it to gas station, fire up the air pump and three minutes later - nothing. At some point along the way I killed the tube.

Next day, I take the wheel and tire over to a local shop, and they put it on properly with a fresh tube in no time. Next day I take the front wheel and new tire over, and they do that one too. Guy charged me $52 for one tube (to replace the tube I killed) and mounting.

Long story short - there is a tool for every job! If you don't have it, find the person that does and give them some money.

(PS: Tires are great, I love riding with the new found confidence of great tread and I did of course disassemble and service the drums while confirming they have plenty of life. So that's good at least.)
 
1st, thank you for closing the thread out with results. It's important and too often overlooked.
We, those of us that have been doing this stuff for years, laugh and cry at some of the videos out there. There's some pretty bad ones that are going to cost some one an engine failure or a crash at some point. Sorry you were a victim of one.
I gave up changing tires myself because I always ended up taking them in somewhere to get balanced when done and it's not worth the aggravation to me to save a few dollars.
 
I'm still a hardhead and do my own, but it isn't much fun. I was quite paranoid when I did the rear tire on my 450 because I hadn't done a tube-type tire in decades, but it went fine (though still a PITA). The biggest PITA of my tire experience in the last 7 years since getting back into bikes again was the rear tire on my V65, the old one was SO stiff that it was a bear to get off the rim.
 
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