There are a few details that make or break a custom motorcycle build, but none are as critical to the final stance as the choice of tires. The right rubber provides the perfect profile and period-correct aesthetic that ties an entire project together. And as builders continue to create stunning restomods and restorations, the demand for vintage-style tires has never been higher. However, this creates a dilemma: how do you achieve that classic look without compromising modern safety and performance?
For years, the only option was to hunt down New Old Stock (NOS) tires or run modern rubber that looked out of place. That’s no longer the case. Riding on actual vintage tires is a terrible idea; decades-old rubber compounds become hard and brittle, offering little to no grip. Thankfully, manufacturers have stepped up, creating a whole new category of tires that blend iconic tread patterns with contemporary construction and compounds. This is the best of both worlds: classic style with the grip, longevity, and peace of mind you expect from a modern tire.
Heidenau K36
For riders of 1960s and 1970s-era machines, the German-made Heidenau K36 is a fantastic, practical choice. It features a classic tread pattern that looks right at home on a vintage restoration, but is engineered with modern compounds that deliver a stable, dependable ride. It offers excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions and is known for long-wearing tread, perfect for riders who actually want to pile on the miles.
Its versatility and affordability are key selling points. Suited for both front and rear fitment, it is available in a range of narrow sizes for 16” to 18” rims. It has also found a niche as an excellent rear tire for narrow choppers, providing a clean, period-correct look. [Cedar Rapids Tire]
Shinko Super Classic 270
When the look is everything, the Shinko 270 is a top contender. It features the quintessential, full-aspect-ratio sawtooth tread pattern that instantly evokes a sense of vintage cool. It’s an unapologetically retro design that looks killer on choppers and classic cafe racers where aesthetics are the top priority.
Built on a durable 4-ply rated nylon carcass for extended wear, the 270 is more than just a pretty face. Its S speed rating is more than adequate for most custom builds, and its availability in a wide range of sizes—from 16” up to 21”—makes it incredibly versatile. The fact that it comes in both blackwall and whitewall versions is the icing on the cake. [Shinko Tires USA]
Shinko 240 Classic
A sibling to the 270, the Shinko 240 Classic offers a similar vintage profile but with a more modern construction under the surface. It features a classic tread pattern and a high 90% aspect ratio, but its secret weapon is the Aramid belting. This modern touch helps offset tread distortion, resulting in better grip and improved durability, especially on heavier bikes.
Compounded for high mileage, the 240 is a great choice for riders who want a classic look but demand a bit more performance from their rubber. It’s also available in a wide array of styles, including blackwall, whitewall, and a very distinctive double whitewall stripe, making it a versatile option for any builder looking to make a statement. [Shinko Tires USA]
Dunlop K70 Vintage
The Dunlop K70 is steeped in history, with a tread pattern that will be instantly familiar to anyone who loves classic motorcycles. Dunlop has faithfully reproduced that iconic look but infused it with modern rubber compounds, creating a tire that is perfect for both classically styled and genuinely vintage machines.
Its robust 4 to 6-ply bias construction makes it a durable choice, and it has become a go-to replacement tire for Ural owners, with specific sizes and ply ratings designed to handle the unique loads of sidecar duty. DOT-approved and suitable for front or rear fitment, the K70 is a true classic, reborn with modern reliability. [Dunlap]
Avon Speedmaster MKII (Front)
Some tires are just iconic, and the Avon Speedmaster MKII is one of them. For decades, its classic ribbed pattern has been the go-to choice for the front of countless choppers and bobbers. It’s a design that is pure, simple, and timeless.
Avon hasn’t rested on its laurels, however. The modern Speedmaster features a unique contour designed for long life and even wear. Continuous sipes and uninterrupted tread ribs improve braking and handling capabilities. It’s the perfect aesthetic match for its rear-wheel counterpart, the Safety Mileage MKII. [Avon Tyres]
Avon Safety Mileage MKII (Rear)
The perfect partner to the Speedmaster, the Avon Safety Mileage MKII completes the quintessential vintage tire combination. It features a classic block-style tread pattern that provides excellent traction while looking perfectly period-correct on everything from a 1960s Chopper to a modern-day Sportster bobber.
Like the Speedmaster, the Safety Mileage MKII benefits from Avon’s modern rubber compounds, ensuring you get safe, reliable performance out of a tire that looks like it rolled right out of the past. When paired together, the Avon combo is one of the most popular and aesthetically pleasing choices for any vintage-inspired build. [Avon Tyres]
Metzeler Block C
While many vintage-style tires are aimed at the custom chopper and bobber scene, the Metzeler Block C is built for the rider who wants to put serious miles on their classic touring bike. It features a renowned classic tread pattern with a unique groove geometry designed for excellent water drainage and consistent performance over its long life.
The tire’s construction, with its longitudinal central grooves, is engineered for high-speed stability and trajectory precision, even when leaned over. If you’re restoring a classic machine with the intention of doing some serious long-distance touring, the Block C offers that period-correct look with the high-mileage performance Metzler is famous for. [Pirelli & C. S.p.A]
Firestone Deluxe Champion
There is perhaps no tire more imitated, and more responsible for the modern vintage custom scene, than the Firestone Deluxe Champion. Its deep tread, smooth sidewall, and iconic raised lettering have made it the default choice for builders seeking the ultimate authentic look.
It’s important to note that this is a bias-ply tire, built using period-correct methods. This means it offers an authentic ride feel, including a tendency to follow ruts in the pavement. For builders who prioritize aesthetics above all else, the Firestone Deluxe Champion is not just a tire; it’s a statement piece that defines an entire style. [Coker Tire]
Firestone ANS
A slightly more aggressive-looking contemporary to the Deluxe Champion, the Firestone ANS was originally marketed in the 1940s as the “All Non-Skid” tire. Its blocky, sawtooth-like tread pattern gives it a rugged, purposeful look that has made it a favorite for both vintage motorcycle restorations and more recent custom builds.
Like its sibling, the ANS is a bias-ply tire that delivers an authentic vintage look and feel. It’s the perfect choice for builders who love the Firestone aesthetic but want a tread pattern with a bit more attitude than the classic Deluxe Champion. When you want your bike to look like it just rolled out of a 1940s ad campaign, this is the tire to do it. [Coker Tire]
Heidenau K67
For those building vintage scramblers, desert sleds, or trials bikes, Heidenau K67 is a top-tier choice. It nails the classic blocky trials pattern, giving any dual-sport build an instantly authentic look. But its real strength lies in its versatile compound, which is soft enough to stick to the asphalt in the corners, yet durable enough to handle rocks and hills without cracking or wearing prematurely.
The K67 offers a fantastic balance between on-road manners and off-road capability, making it ideal for riders who want to hit the trails. It’s a true dual-sport tire that doesn’t just look the part—it performs it. [Cedar Rapids Tire]
Duro HF307
The Duro HF307 is another classically styled dual-sport tire that has earned a solid reputation for its versatility. Its spliced tread design offers predictable handling and excellent grip when cornering on loose surfaces, making it a confident choice for light off-road duty.
With a durable 4-ply bias construction and DOT approval, the HF307 is a workhorse tire that’s perfect for riders who need a reliable, do-it-all solution for their vintage trail bike or modern scrambler. It’s an affordable and proven option that delivers consistent performance. [Cedar Rapids Tire]
Shinko Trail Pro SR241
The Shinko SR241 is a modern legend in the vintage trials and scrambler scene, and for good reason. Its narrow, dimpled-knob configuration and tough nylon carcass provide excellent grip in a wide variety of terrains, from hard-packed dirt to muddy trails. It’s the perfect tire for giving a custom scrambler legitimate off-road chops.
Important to note that Shinko doesn’t intend the SR241 for extended highway use; this is a tire for riders who are serious about getting their bikes dirty. As a DOT-approved knobby that can be fitted to either the front or rear, it’s an incredibly versatile and affordable way to add aggressive style and real-world trail performance to your build. [Shinko Tires USA]
Shinko Trail Pro 255 Radial
For the ultimate in off-road grip, the Shinko Trail Pro 255 is in a class of its own. Unlike its bias-ply cousins, the 255 features a highly flexible radial carcass and a super-soft compound. This allows the tire to deform and wrap around obstacles such as rocks and roots, providing an unbelievable level of traction in gnarly, technical single-track terrain.
While its super-soft compound means it’s not intended for extended highway use, the 255 is DOT approved, making it street-legal for getting to and from the trail. For builders creating scramblers or vintage dual-sports that are destined for serious off-road abuse, the lightweight Trail Pro 255 offers a level of grip that was previously only available in non-DOT competition tires. [Shinko Tires USA]
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