Skinny tyres in 27" flavour?

[djoptix]

So I've picked up a nice Dawes Windsor touring bike with full 105 group. I was going to sell it but it all works so well, I think I might hang on to it! However, the wheels are 27" shod with Michelin World Tour tyres, which are very tight on mudguard clearance and rolling resistance is higher than I'd like. What are my options for something thin, light and fitting on 27" rims? Can I just fit a 700c and stretch it on?

I'm not massively fussed about period correctness (since if I keep it, I'll be fitting new levers and my modern drops) but the gumwall of the Michelins does look nice.

If anyone has something that fits the bill and wants to swap for the Michelins, that would be ideal!

 

[ninety]

I would say no to stretching, but Schwalbe and Continental do a few things in 27" that are fairly readily available - they might have something to suit?

 

[hamster]

Conti Gatorskins and Panaracer Pasela seem to be the commonest in 27". Both are good tyres,

 

[GarethPJ]

If world tour 27 x 1 1/4" tyres are tight on clearance then any other 27 x 1 1/4" (630x32c) will be just as tight. Don't worry though you can get skinnier. There's the Conti Ultra Gatorskin which is available in 27 x 1" (630x25c) or the Panaracer Pasela can be had at 27 x 1 1/8" (630x28c). If you're looking for retro looks then the tanwall Panaracer is probably the best tyre for you, the Conti is all black. Both are about the same price.