Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I am getting back into getting my Elsinore going again, I picked up the rest of the parts I need except a new rear tire. It has an old 140 80 18" Bridgestone on it now which is pretty sad looking. I don't want to spend a million dollars on a tire but just want to get something that will be good for just mucking around and last for a while. I was looking at motorcycle superstore and they had the Cheng Shin, yes I know I wouldn't put them on my street bike, c755 and people seem to speak relatively highly of them, not great but good for what they are. Also I think that is the same tire that's on front that the previous owner put on before I got the bike. As I said I have no intention to go racing with the bike, at least not yet, and just want something inexpensive for now to bomb down fire roads and trails with.

Also another quick question, what length of chain should I have, I think the dealer was saying a 520x110 link chain, I got a 520x120 link and when I held it up to the old chain that was on the bike it was the same length, I don't thing a chain can stretch that far so should I cut the new one or leave it until I get it on and see how it threads?

Buy a 120 link chain and then cut it to 110 links assuming you are running 14/49 gearing. If you go with a larger sprocket you can add additional links from your spares. I like Maxxis IT tires because they wear well. Don't go larger than a 110 width though.

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Michael Stiles
1979 Honda CR250R Elsinore | 2006 Husqvarna SM510R | 2007 Service Honda CR500R-AF

Okay so I am a little confused about the tire size, the tire that's on there has 140/80 18" stamped on it and some of the tires listed were showing a cross reference to different sizes, did they change the way they did sizing or something the Bridgestone that's on the bike looks ancient, should I be looking at a 110/80 18" instead?

110/80-18, or a 4.00 x 18, or a 4.5 x 18 tire is what you need.

I put Artrax tires on mine, but it is 100% dirt/woods.

For a good dual-purpose tire, see if you can find Avon, IRC, or even some decent Cheng Shin tires are worth spooning on.

Just buy something higher-grade, and the highest speed rating/weight rating you can find that will fit.

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I drink your milkshake!

i´ve mounted Kyoto 110/100-18 at my elsie.

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80 CR250Ra
80 CR250Ra
78 CR250R
80 CR80
82 Bultaco Sherpa 340
78 Bultaco Pursang 250 MK12
76 Bultaco Frontera 370 MK10
76 Bultaco Alpina 250
73 Bultaco Lobito 125 MK6
76 Suzuki RM125A
90 Kawasaki KX250

I think I will just go with the c755 for now, it will match the front and give me something to play with, I will get something nicer when they run down. I got the wheel mounted again and I definitely need to take some links out of the chain, I will start with five and see where that gets me. I also noticed that the castle nut that goes on the end of the axle goes in past the hole for the cotter key and there was a washer on one side of the axle but not the other so I think I am missing one, sounded like a good opportunity to play with the lathe. I just need to finish boring out the inner diameter, part it off and face the other side to the final thickness.

Got my spacer done, looks a lot nice then what I would assume would be 2 or 3 20mm washers.

Called Bike Bandit and asked how long my tire would be backordered and they said July 15th! So I canceled the order. I was able to find a 140/80 18" Michelin Cross Competition S12 locally for $70, a bit more then I wanted to spend right now but it should serve well.