Heidenau Vintage Street Motorcycle Tire | Honda CB350 / CL350 / CB360 / CL360 / CB450 / CL450 / CB500T / CB500K / CB550 / CB750
Finding tires that properly fit vintage Honda rims is a challenging task. Modern sizing standards have moved on from the 18" and 19" wheel diameter dimensions your bike needs. The Heidenau Vintage Street tires are built in Germany specifically for classic motorcycles — retro tread patterns with modern rubber compounds.
Note: Tires ship via flat-rate domestic shipping at $25 per tire to the 48 contiguous states. Tires do not ship outside of the USA. Alaska and Hawaii customers: please contact us for a shipping quote before ordering. Tires ship separately and do not qualify for promotions or free shipping offers.
Why You Need This
If your bike is still rolling on original 1970’s rubber, they’re done. Even with tread left, rubber that’s 40–50 years old has dried out, hardened, and lost all grip. Tires are what separate you from the road — old ones won’t do the job.
The Heidenau Vintage Street tires come in two tread patterns:
- Block pattern — mirrors the original factory street look on CB350, CB360, CB450, CB550 & CB750 models. A flat, squared-off tread that works on the front or rear (mounted in the correct rotational direction).
- Ribbed pattern — a front-only tire with the classic longitudinal grooves you see on vintage CB front wheels.
Both designs use Heidenau’s ultra-sticky modern rubber compound for real grip, not just a period-correct look. While the designs match period CB tires, they are also suitable replacements for a CL “Scrambler” that is used for street riding.
These are tube-type tires, “S” speed rated to 112 mph (180 km/h).
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Manufacturer | Heidenau (Germany) |
| Style | Vintage Street — block pattern (Front or Rear) & ribbed pattern (Front only) |
| Construction | Tube type (TT) |
| Speed Rating | “S” — up to 112 mph / 180 km/h |
| Available Sizes | Block: 18" x 3.50", 18" x 4.00" | Ribbed: 19" x 3.25", 18" x 90/90 (approx 3.50") |
| Sold As | Individual tire (select size and pattern above) |
| Fits Models | CB350 (1968–1973), CL350 (1968–1973), SL350 (1969–1971), CB360 (1974–1976), CL360 (1974–1975), CJ360 (1976), CB450 K0–K7 (1965–1974), CL450 (1968–1974), CB500T (1975–1976), CB500K (1971–1973), CB550 (1974–1978), CB750 (1969–1978) |
About Heidenau
Heidenau has been building tires in Germany since the late 1940s, specializing in motorcycle and scooter tires distributed worldwide. Their vintage line pairs period-correct tread patterns with modern rubber compounds — super sticky, long-wearing, and engineered for bikes that were designed decades before modern tire technology existed. They’re one of the few manufacturers still producing tires in vintage sizes.
Installation
Difficulty: Intermediate
- Remove the wheel from the motorcycle. For the rear, remove the chain guard, cotter pin, and axle nut.
- Break the bead on the old tire using a bead breaker tool, then lever the tire off the rim with tire irons.
- Inspect the rim for damage — check for runout and bent spokes before mounting new rubber.
- Mount the new tire with the balance dots aligned with the tube’s valve stem. Pay attention to the rotational direction arrow on the sidewall.
- Use baby powder inside the tire and on the tube to ease installation and prevent pinching. Glass cleaner (like Windex) works as a lubricant between the tire and rim bead.
- Inflate the tire to approximately 25 psi before mounting the wheel on the bike — this lets you check for pinched tubes before everything is buttoned up.
- Reinstall the wheel and torque the axle nut to spec.
Block pattern tires can be used front or rear as long as they’re mounted in the correct rotational direction. Ribbed pattern tires are front only.
Our Heidenau Vintage Street tire overview covers the block and ribbed tread patterns, sizing, balance dots, and what makes these tires different from stock originals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between the block and ribbed tread?
The block pattern has a flat, squared-off tread — it’s the classic look that came stock on CB350, CB450 & CB750 rear wheels. Block tires work in both front and rear positions. The ribbed pattern has longitudinal grooves and is designed specifically for the front wheel — it’s the classic front-tire look on vintage CBs. Choose ribbed for the front and block for the rear for the most period-correct setup.
What size do I need for my CB350 / CB360?
OEM front tire for the CB350 and CB360 is 18" x 3.00" and OEM rear is 18" x 3.50". These exact sizes are not available, but putting a slightly wider tire or “bigger footprint” is a realistic solution. For a Vintage Street setup, a common combination is the 18" x 90/90 (approx 3.50") ribbed in front and the 18" x 4.00" block in the rear. The wider 18" x 4.00" block in the rear is an option on most models. Check the compatibility chart on this page for confirmed front/rear fitment by model.
Do I need new inner tubes and rim strips too?
Yes. If your tubes and rim strips are as old as your tires, replace them together. Old tubes crack and deteriorated rim strips expose spoke nipples that can puncture the new tube. We carry inner tubes in 18" and 19" sizes, and our balance bead kit simplifies home tire balancing — the beads automatically balance the tire and last the life of the tread.
Can I mix Vintage Street tires with Scrambler tires?
Yes. A common combination is a Vintage Street ribbed on the front with a Vintage Scrambler on the rear; or Vintage Scrambler up front and a Block Street out back. As long as each tire is mounted in the correct rotational direction, mixing Heidenau patterns works fine.
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Last updated: July 2026
