Hi Paul!
The best supplier in my mind is Coker Tire in USA. I have used Coker tyres for vintage cars and bikes since 1973, and can vouch for their good quality. Their tyres are full-size (premium) tyres.

You reach Coker Tire at http://www.coker.com, and push the motorcycle tyre button. They have two suitable sizes, but it seems that their 3.00×20 is the most suitable:

3.00×20 Coker Classic Front Item #17080 $77
3.00×20 Coker Classic Rear Item #16542 $80

3.50×20 Simplex Cycle Tire Item #16907 $103

For both sizes they recommend 17″-22″ rimstrip Item #18378 – and
for 3.00×20 they recommend their tube #16623: 2.50/2.75-19 TR6 Metal stem valve.
For 3.50×20 they recommend a slightly larger tube, normally used for 21″ tyres and for 28×3 Clincher tyres.

Best regards, Carl

Hi Paul,

The 20″ tyre issue is a big problem.

Yes, Coker & Simplex tyres are available but in my experience they aren’t very grippy! Within the last two or three years Avon made a limited batch of 3.25/3.50 x 20 original pattern SM rears one of which I fitted to a Velo. But it was horrid, very high profile and very “square” in section, with very deep treads, OK for a tourer perhaps but very far from sporty. I ended up by swapping my 20″ rear wheel for a 21″ (see below).

I have a similar problem with my TT Rep currently fitted with a 20″ rim but the ancient tyre is not long for this world, though strangely it grips well. It seems to me that the options are:

1. Fit a “new old stock” tyre – but it may well be age hardened.

2. Depending on the bike:

Fit a 21″ rim (perhaps better for your Sprint) and fit to this a modern enduro front tyre (it must be fitted backwards i.e. the opposite of the marked direction of travel). Both Avon and Continental make suitable tyres. The man at Avon says you should check this with your insurance company! I’ve had a Continental like this on the back of the Sprint for several years and it’s been very impressive.

Or, again depending on the model, go for a 19″ rim. As far as I can see, this was a manufacturer’s option when new on the TT Rep, and probably others too. There are plenty of choices of rubber in the 19″ size.

I’d be interested to hear which way you go on this. How is the Sprint project progressing? Feel free to phone me if you want to discuss the tyre question further.

Best wishes
Martin Heckscher

Hi Paul!
I have talked today to AAW and they have confirmed that they do have samples of 300×20 Avon front tyre. If you still interested enough there is a telephone number in Spain (although they speak English too) where you can contact them: 938418135 (I don’t know which is the international prefix)
Good luck!

Hi Paul,
I use a 3.00 x 20 block tread tyre on the back of my 2 Speeder. The first tyre was a VTS Brand which lasted about 4000 miles, soft rubber but excellent grip. I now have a Waymaster which is identical. This has done about 1500 miles so far. I cannot remember where I bought the Waymaster. On the Front I use a 3.00 x 20 Avon ribbed which hardly wears at all. Avons are not commonly available and Avon make batches from time to time. The Vincent Club may stock them.