Boxerworks.com

Here's a question that I am wondering about... what was the brand of tires used on new BMWs in the mid 70's? (like 1974, 75, 76).

Generally, I think it was Continentals. My memory tells me that's the tire seen in this brochure.

http://www.beemergarage.com/documents/bmw1975.pdf

Kurt in S.A.

In the U.S., the /5's came with either Metzelers or Conti Twins. I'm pretty certain that the /6's did as well although most of the promo shots of the /6's seem to show Conti Twins. If you're looking for authenticity on your /6, you can't go wrong with Conti Twins.

My new 1977 R100 came with Metzelers as did a couple of friends 75 and 76 R90s. The Conti Twins where a new tire in76 or 77 and did I did not see them on a new BMW till late in 77. It may have even been 78......... it was a long time ago.

Garnet wrote:My new 1977 R100 came with Metzelers as did a couple of friends 75 and 76 R90s. The Conti Twins where a new tire in76 or 77 and did I did not see them on a new BMW till late in 77. It may have even been 78......... it was a long time ago.

My '71 R60/5 was delivered new with Conti Twins or, at least, the tread designs that later came to be known as Conti Twins. I don't remember if they were actually called "Twins" in the /5 days. I've kept those same type Contis on the bike ever since.

CVA-42 wrote:

Garnet wrote:My new 1977 R100 came with Metzelers as did a couple of friends 75 and 76 R90s. The Conti Twins where a new tire in76 or 77 and did I did not see them on a new BMW till late in 77. It may have even been 78......... it was a long time ago.

My '71 R60/5 was delivered new with Conti Twins or, at least, the tread designs that later came to be known as Conti Twins. I don't remember if they were actually called "Twins" in the /5 days. I've kept those same type Contis on the bike ever since.

I dug out some old manuals as my memory is not as good as I think it is most of the time.

A 72 owners and a 73 factory service manual show tires that do not have the RB2 and K112 tread patterns. They may well be Continentals as they where used on and off by BMW in the 60s and probably later, but I couldn't make out a name on the tires. A 76 owners manual clearly shows a Metzler on page 46.

The RB2 and K112 may have been around earlier or maybe they where only available in Canada after the late 70s.

As for the original question: Conti Twins would be appropriate.

I just found a 78 owners manual and there is a pic of a silver R100RS (1977) with what looks like Conti Twins on it. Some of the other pics in the manual that show tires are the same pics from the /5 manuals............

Lets start with a basic principle. BMW tried to have two, or more, suppliers for everything. Even back in the /2 days they could use a tire other than the Metzler. There is no such thing as "correct"

Duane Ausherman wrote:Lets start with a basic principle. BMW tried to have two, or more, suppliers for everything. Even back in the /2 days they could use a tire other than the Metzler. There is no such thing as "correct"

Damn!

Duane Ausherman wrote:Lets start with a basic principle. BMW tried to have two, or more, suppliers for everything. Even back in the /2 days they could use a tire other than the Metzler. There is no such thing as "correct"

You are correct Duane. Oh, wait....