Help on Darkside install

[valknomad]

1998 Valk Tourer (with Hitchdoc trailer hitch).  I'm considering Darkside car tire.  would like to run 205/60-16, but Daniel Meyer "The Dark Side" article says only a 205/55-16 will fit with NO mods.  If installing a 205/60-16, then the "fender mount cage" needs to be removed (and replace with a nut/washer... I'm thinking only a gain of 1/4" clearance per side).   A 205/55 or 205/60 are the SAME "width" of 8.07"  so up and down travel seems like either tire would hit the cage.   Yes a 55 is a "slightly" small overall dia. than a 60,  so by pure nature of the swingarm/shocks moving up and down, dia. becomes a non-issue....it's that the damm car tires a 1" wider than stock MC tire.    I'm supposing the idea is to remove the fender bolt (which is also used as the hitch bolt) which  feeds from the outside of the fender..in,  and remove the cage (from inner fender) and put the bolt from inside the fender towards the outside.. with a nut on it?     I've already screwed with the chrome saddlebag rails/hitch/bag supports enough... that I'n not excited to modify this anymore.    Thanks Vinnie. 

[tank_post142]

just go ahead and use carriage bolts from the inside out, reducing the chance of damaging the tire if it hits on a serious bump.

[X Ring]

Dude, it's not that difficult.  Once you pull the wheel get under the fender with a dremel tool and remove the nut cages.  Remove the welds slowly so you don't burn the paint on the exterior of the fender.  Take some primer and cover the bare metal.  Run the stock bolts back in and screw the stock nuts back on.  Then take the dremel tool and cut the bolt off where it exits the nut.  Put a little clear nail polish on the end of the bolt to keep it from rusting.  The put your darkside wheel back on.

It's not the way I'd do it but the nut will be tucked behind the fender's lip and it will keep the stock experience.  Just do one side at a time. 

Marty

[John U.]

I just did mine with a Dremel. You only have to cut one side of each nut cage, then grab it with a pair of pliers, work it back and forth a bit. The other side tack weld will break off.
You are right, it doesn't gain much more room, but you don't need much. I mounted a 205/60 and no rubbing.

[R J]

Grasshopper, you is a makin a MOUNTAIN, out of a mole hill.

Did the nut cage on mine, run a carriage bolt from the inside out, run a nut up on the outside and added an acorn nut to it, was all done.   

PS:   I also have a Hitchdoc and it does not cause anymore work as it is on the outside of the fender, where ya have plenty of room to manuver.

Just remember to only do one side at a time, or you will be cussing up a storm trying to get things to line up right.

[Jabba]

Yep.  What everyone else says...  The nutcage mod is an EASY one. 

Jabba

[Cliff]

You might want to try the wahser mod first,, mine was rubbing on the right side and after doing the wahser mod no more rubbing.  Did not do the nut cage mod.

[old2soon]

Just what every body else says. It ain't rocket science. My I/S has a 205-60-16 with the nut cage mod. Some folks here are running a 205-65-16 and the nut cage mod. A simple procedure when done correctly. RIDE SAFE.

[Farther]

You might want to try the wahser mod first,, mine was rubbing on the right side and after doing the wahser mod no more rubbing.  Did not do the nut cage mod.

Where can a person get a "wahser"? 

[CISE]

Insert Quote


Quote from: Cliff on Today at 05:47:35 AM

You might want to try the wahser mod first,, mine was rubbing on the right side and after doing the wahser mod no more rubbing.  Did not do the nut cage mod.
 Where can a person get a "wahser"? 



Posted on: Today at 06:16:38 AM
 

At the store next to the nust

[art]

go to Wahl mat.In the nust section

[tank_post142]

asile 11d5 hadware 

[valknomad]

Thanks for the tips.. I just hated to have to screw around with my fender (chrome) fender/hitch bolts and spacers. I got it just right, and 1/4" before if hits my saddlebags.   But sure I'll run  a damm stove bolt through from the inside,  out.     I spent a month last winter fuc.ing around with the hitch/saddlebag rail, 20 trips to the hardware store and a little bit of welding to get everything "racked" just right...  so yes the cage mod is NOT Monumental by any stretch of my ability.

[PhredValk]

I had the fender off to change the tire. Five minutes with a hacksaw and vise grips and the nut cages were gone. Squirt of black paint and put it back on. Reverse the bolts and go with acorn nuts.
Fred.

[pistolchamp]

I run a Michelin Hydroedge 205/65R16 with only the nut mod and no problems in over 90,000  miles.  The tire costs about $140 and runs over 50,000 miles, not bad eh?