First Post! Greets to fellow Duck owners and Pantah Heads So I am the original owner of a 1980 SL 500. It has been stored the last 15+ yrs (my Bad!) and am now getting her back on the road. Needless to say the Pirelli Phantoms on her are long-dead and need replacement. I understand "Sport Touring" for Sunday drivers like me seem to be the type to go for. But so far having trouble chasing down correct size: 100/90-18 Fr, 120/90-18 Rr And the stock rims used TUBED tires. Some Qs: -are stock pantah rims OK to use with TubeLESS tires? -I am finding some tires, specified for "Front" that match my rear profile. Is it OK to use to "front" tires, a 100, and a 120 for my bike? Why the diff btw front and rear?? -I have heard conflicting info on fitting wider tires (beyond limitations of my rims). -what are you folks using? -where in USA are you getting yours? -RADIAL or BIAS?? The bike came with Bias... Maybe now no choice? thanks Stu A 80SL500 AZ
Owned one from new in 1981...handling was sublime on what I seem to recall were standard section Phantoms. Never found the need to go up a size. I once changed to a Metzler/Phantom combination for a Goodwood Ducati Club Track Day that really worked well. I believe you can fit a tubeless tyre but WITH a tube of course. If you fit yourself beware of deforming what I found were rather malleable rims.Go gently. As far as I know Phantoms are produced these days but unsure if in the right sections.
Thanks folks. Am sloooowly learning/reading about old bike rims and new tires. My rims (stock) say "WM" which am told means I need to use TUBED tires Guessing this will reduce choices dramatically?! Stu
Use tubeless tyres and put tubes in them. WM was the old way of telling the rim width, as in WM1/WM2/WM3. As for decent all round use tyres I quite like Avon AM26's or for sporty riding AM22/AM23's in medium or hard compound. Steve R
Welcome! A couple of years ago I rebuilt a YPVS and used a Continental Classic Attack on the rear, mated to a Road Attack 2CR on the front. Niall Mackenzie was apparently involved in the development for the UK LC Pro-Am series, and I have to say that it was excellent!
That stirred a memory. 1981, my mate worked at a bike shop. We were both 17 and he rocked up alongside me at the lights. Beautiful hot summer day. I was on my wheezy Z250 with my mate on the back. He shouted ‘get on the back of this fucker’ Which I immediately did. I thought we were going to die. But as mentioned, it handled beautifully. Thank God. What a blast. Great days....
Great days for sure.....took the Pantah to the 1982 24hr at Le Mans.....photo taken on return. It was the year a near stock Pantah came in an unbelievable 6th position....I was well chuffed!
