Trying to make a tyre choice...

[bbelk]

I have paper work saying that I can run Metzeler Marathon ME88 120/90 on the back of my 1979 R65. I have not been able to find Marathons and have been running Bridgestone 110/90s. I just pulled the wheels off and it was a struggle getting the 110/90 Bridgestone out of there.

My tire guy says he can get the Marathons (yet to be confirmed) but I am beginning to question weather a 120/90 will fit. Does anybody know?

This is the quote I found in my notes from 10 years ago: The Metzeler Laser ME33 100/90 front and Metzeler Marathon ME88 120/90 rear is a popular and time-tested tire combination

[enigmaT120]

My R65 had a 120/90 on the back when I bought it (don't remember the brand though), and I had to deflate it to get it out from between the swing arm and brakes. I always use 4:00 x 18 or 110/90 on it.

[khittner1]

I don't know about a 120/90-18 fitment on an R65. That size could be shoe-horned onto a "big-frame" /6 or /7 using the appropriate shimming---I ran that size Marathon on several of my twin shock R90s and my current R100RT. They were a close fit along the inside of the right-side swingarms.