Hello, hello,

First of all, thank you for having created a forum with so many aficionados and information.
I am a new member from Luxembourg and I just bought a modified Pantah 600 (see photo). this bike was customized when I acquired it with some nice details and some a little less nice (like the Suzuki front forks). But it has a verlicchi rear swingarm that is pretty well integrated. And actually I am writing in this forum to look for help. Currently the rear tire is a 120/90R18 and I would like to mount a 140/70-18, does anyone know if that tire can fit? Today it already looks a bit tight. I would be very thankfull if someone could help.
Yours
Serge

Hello Serge...
That's a very tidy looking frame modification. I particularly like the way the added brace continues through and closes the end of the lower frame rail. Concerning tires, all I can recommend is to do a search on the WWW. for "motorcycle tire vs rim width". Mad Ducati "Tire width" by Larry Kelly, and Revzilla, are good reads. As well as "Does size matter" on Sport Rider which gives a brief but clear explanation on how pinching a wide tire onto a narrow rim can effect handling. Do a search on this web site for "tires". There is plenty of reading here.
Regards...
Flattop

Serge, you can use an Avon cantilever tire 130/650, am23 it is a very nice tire for your rim.
You will be pleasantly surprised!
Paul

Thank you very much for the info. Yes I agree, size doesn't matter...

I was hesitating between the Avon Roadriders and a Metzeler. But the tire you suggest is also very nice.
I am trying to build a stylish Cafe Racer therefore I was looking for 140/70 vs. 130/80.
I hope I am not shocking the purists here. I already acquired a rather modified Pantah to avoid damaging an original machine. Thank you for the feedback.

Your bike will fit perfectly in the Pantah racers and hot rod section Serge. Let us know how it goes. MikeV

Hi Serge,
Are you asking if the 140/70-18 tire will fit inside the two arms of the swingarm? Tire charts normally give a dimension for tire width, in all likelihood when mounted on the recommended rim. Avon's AM26 140/70-18 shows 142mm wide on a 3.75 rim. If that is a little too wide to fit inside your Verlicchi swingarm, you can plane off a little rubber from each side of the tire with a good sharp wood plane. Don't forget that it needs to clear the chain too. That said though, my thoughts on building a "stylish Cafe Racer" would be to stick with the old axiom that basically got Ducati where they are...Form Follows Function.
Bill
http://www.avon-tyres.co.uk/motorcycle/roadrider