140/80/18 for Tenere Rear??
 

Can anyone tell me wheather i can use a 140 wide tyre (like a Michelin Desert) on my '85 Tenere which is suposed to take a 120/80/18. Is it safe to trim the edges off a tyre to make it fit and how would i go about doing this neatly?

Thanks again,\
Jim

Hi Jim,

The fitment guides I have show that the tyre range for our 2.5" width rim should be 110/80 - 120/80 - 130/80. So unless there is something different about a desert tyre, this suggests a 140/80 would not be recommended (e.g. unsafe?).

Hope this helps.
Geoff

if it fits physically, i see no problem. you may need to trim the edges of the outside 'knobbles' with a razor blade/stanley knife or similar, so that they don't rub on the swingarm, (or exhaust under full compression of the shock)
HTH
ChrisB

The problem is probably not the rim, but the space between the fork and at the lower spring element knob.
If the choice is between either not using a Desert or adapting it with a knife, I would prefer adapting it to using any other tyre.

------------------
Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

Two things....
I used a 140 desert on my 3AJ, just a bit of time with a knife...It's easier if you have a fairly long chain, that is, it's at the longer end of the adjustment.
Also, tyre fitment specs especially from websites can be misleading, 'cause they're focussed on road bike tyres. As an example, the KTM 640 Adventure takes a 140 section tyre as standard on a 2.50 rim, as do a number of Hondas (I believe XR650L is one..?)

A 140/80 Desert is possible to mount, but you have to be at least over the half of chain lenght adjustment, if not is necessary to have a longer chain. on the sides the place is enough, and the tyre running doesn't deformate much in section ...instead beware of interference with fork and spring : running the tyre may "grow" several centimetres in length

Thanks again everyone!
Looks like Ill be going for a Continental TKC70 rear and TKC80 front, unfortunately right now i am limited by whats available...

Jim