An example of period correct out of control. A friend recently offered me a pair of Continental tubulars from late 50s. He thought they would be suitable for the Bates. They held air, were round, looked good. Price was right. Some kind of heavy duty track tire, very skinny. Well, crack time trialists did use track tires. The B.A.R. was the time trial bike so why not? Because I wouldn’t have a bike to ride.
Old tubulars were fat. Roads were bad and any with sense used wide tires, which were very available. And available again. Use them. Tan sidewalls and black sidewalls are both perfectly correct.