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BikernDiver
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« on: November 11, 2010, 04:42:21 PM » |
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First let me say that I haven't been on this board for a long time...life has been busy. But, when I first bought my Valk in 2005, I joined this board and read every post and tech article I could find. I was amazed at the knowledge here!
Today, I needed a new rear tire and being the owner of 6 bikes, I felt like I was buying a (very expensive & short lived) tire every month!!!
So, I re-read some articles here and went out and bought a Goodyear Assurance 205 55 16, had it mounted, balanced and then I installed it on my 97 Valk with 91,000 miles on it.
I have one concern.... The clearance between the right sidewall of the tire and the right side swingarm is very, very close..... It's not rubbing, but...wow is it close!
Do I need to worry that any flexing (is there any flexing) in the sidewall will make my tire rub???? I'm running 35 pounds of air right now. I took it for a 10 mile ride and nothing seemed to rub, but any comforting opinions will be greatly welcome!
Joe in NC
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garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis
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« Reply #1 on: November 11, 2010, 04:58:15 PM » |
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I thought about going to the "darkside" for ten years and finally did about a year ago. I have 25,000 miles on the Valk and about 10,000 on a 03 Gold Wing. Had some trouble getting it on the Wing, but I finally got it on. I put on a 205/55/16 (a General, I think) on both of them. The tire was $78. I picked that tire because I liked the tread pattern. It took me five minutes to get used to the tire. I, like everybody I talked to that went to the darkside, say the same thing. "I'll never go back". I can scrape the pegs as easy on the bike now as I could before with the mc tire. Never had a problem with rubbing or anything else.
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #2 on: November 11, 2010, 05:07:27 PM » |
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They are very close, but won't rub if there is some clearance. When riding, the faster you go, the more centripetal force causes the tire to expand radially ( like the tires on a dragster), so the clearance should increase with speed. It is more common for them to rub on the nut cages of the fender if not removed, or if the fender bolts stick out beyond the nuts.
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 Troy, MI |
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BikernDiver
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« Reply #3 on: November 11, 2010, 05:09:32 PM » |
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How close is your tire sidewall to the right side swingarm? A 1/16 to an 1/8 of an inch???
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2010, 05:21:20 PM » |
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Yep!
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Troy, MI |
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BikernDiver
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« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2010, 05:28:19 PM » |
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Thank you! I feel better now! I put 500 miles a week, every week, on my Valk and I can't wait to take it for a nice long ride with the new CT.
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2010, 05:30:35 PM » |
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I've got a '03 standard and a '99 IS running darkside on both and never had a problem. I'm sure the flaming death isn't far off.
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Troy, MI |
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bigdog99
Member
Posts: 584
1/1/2011 86,000 miles
Kouts Indiana
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« Reply #7 on: November 11, 2010, 06:20:03 PM » |
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i used to gauge mine with a piece of paper, just wanted to know there was room
as the tire goes faster it will get narrower
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 VRCC#31391 VRCCDS0239 |
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HayHauler
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« Reply #8 on: November 11, 2010, 08:05:29 PM » |
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The 205.55.16 is about 1/2 inch shorter than the stock tire, so you will pull out of the hole like a rocket. But, your top end will be lower. I started out with a 55 and loved the way it took off from the lights! But, it was also wider and rubbed the nut, not the cage, the nut. So, I switched to the 60 and have never looked back. P.S. IF there was any flex in the swing arm, the tire would flex in the same direction and not rub. Enjoy, Hay  Jimmyt |
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X Ring
Member
Posts: 3626
VRCC #27389, VRCCDS #204
The Landmass Between Mobile And New Orleans
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« Reply #9 on: November 11, 2010, 09:31:02 PM » |
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Had some trouble getting it on the Wing, but I finally got it on. I put on a 205/55/16 (a General, I think) on both of them. That's why most Darksiders run a 195 width tire on a Wing. Marty |
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People are more passionately opposed to wearing fur than leather because it's safer to harass rich women than bikers.  |
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2qmedic
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« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2010, 04:48:39 PM » |
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Even if you only have 1/8" clearance, it will never rub on the swingarm. The tire will only flex in the road contact area. I didn't see where you did or did not do the nut cage mod. Highly recommend this mod. Took about 1200 miles for me and the tire to get aquainted and setteled in together. Don't see going back to a m/c tire.  |
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mikeb
Member
Posts: 311
vrcc-29271
dansville mi by lansing mi
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« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2010, 04:14:14 AM » |
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Had some trouble getting it on the Wing, but I finally got it on. I put on a 205/55/16 (a General, I think) on both of them. That's why most Darksiders run a 195 width tire on a Wing. Marty wing need an 195 to go dark side i used an 195 on my wike's interstate to lower the bike 1 inch and it seeds up the motor 200 rpm at cruising speed but now she can toe the ground she an short at 5.0' you will be glad ya went dark side.. |
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i dont care what you ride just ride mike & kari mivrcc capital city leader s.s.d.d.  |
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