So, i just rec'd from Yamiya the F11/K87 combo week b4 last.
http://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=dunlop Entire rear tread pattern is about as close to correct original appearance as one could dream for. Front zig/zag pattern is awful, imHo. and for average daily riding, fwiw, these Dunlop tires are
worthless, they are a 1700 mile tire at best. i've got 1400 miles on the K87 on 2157 and it has about 1/8" center tread remaining. the front has also appreciably worn, more than one would expect a ft.tire to wear in 1400 miles.
Below are new Bridgestone Accolade 02/03 ft/rr tire combo i just took off 232 last week. i bought these around 2006. The front rib is not accurate but FAR better than the F11. The rear pattern is good on the sides and awful down the center. The front has the new sizing on the wall of tire. The sizing on rear tire is the old decimal. But, they are Bridgestones....
100/90-19 = 3.25-3.50x19. So you know what size you are purchasing, use a tire size conversion table -
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/tire-data.htmimHo, the Accolade 02/03 tires are as decent looking as the F11/K87 tires and both the right size for a restoration. the Accolade rear tread pattern is as much a downer as the front tread pattern on the F11. the little diagonal rain grooves on the Accolade front are only mildly detracting.
early parts book calls for Bridgestone tires. i know the experts say Dunlops were also fitted.
when it comes to restoring, i guess we don't live in a perfect world, at least when it comes to tires..... so, it boils down to restorer's preference.
as nice as you are making 97, Mark, i'd scout ebay morning, noon and night for an acceptable original set. A K1 i'm restoring still has the original front BS and it's pretty much gone with nearly 6k miles on the clock.
my understanding, the Accolades are no longer being mfgr'd....? the Accolade front i have is model 02; rear is model 03. If you can still get Accolades, Mark, do let me know. sounds like they must be since you reference Accolade models AC03 (ft?) and AC04 (rr?) so i am guessing the AC 03/04 have superceded the 02/03 series.
going on
http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/accolade/ one can see the diffs between tires. My 2006 purchased Accolades clearly have tire model of 02 and 03 on the tire; no "AC" on tire. i note the BS website show an AC03 which looks like my 02 and AC02 appears to be like my 03 tire.
That AC03/AC04 combination looks about the best i've seen..... Appears neither are exact in original tread pattern but as a pair, both are closer than the other tire pairs.
And agreed, Continental's on a CB750, #97 would be jibber-jabbering auf Deutsch.