Tempted by the Darkside

[Bladedog]

So, reading about it I'm now considering going that direction when the time comes to replace my rear tire - in another couple thousand miles.  Problem is, will bike shops do the work for me or do I have to gather/borrow the equipment and do it myself?  I have NO experience changing a bike tire.  My local Honda shop has a nice big sign out by the service counter clearly stating they will NOT install tires that they do not sell.

[Ken Tarver]

some won't.....some will, independent most likely will.
my local car shop will change my tires for me, $17, have to remove the rotors, but not a big job.
they don't balance them though, i do that, or use dynabeads

[SANDMAN5]

So, reading about it I'm now considering going that direction when the time comes to replace my rear tire - in another couple thousand miles.  Problem is, will bike shops do the work for me or do I have to gather/borrow the equipment and do it myself?  I have NO experience changing a bike tire.  My local Honda shop has a nice big sign out by the service counter clearly stating they will NOT install tires that they do not sell.

Might be a good idea to ask around at indy shops BEFORE you get your tire. Find out who
will/won't do it. I get all my parts/service at the same shop (including my front tires) and
they don't give me any problems about car tires. Have you decided which brand/size you're
gonna try? Lots of choices. I'm happy with my Goodyear Triple Tread 205-60, but if it ever
wears out I'm thinking about the Michelin Hydroedge 205-65.

[Old Geezer Richard]

Bladedog , I'm lucky here in San Antonio my mechanic friend who is the service mgr at the Honda Stealership mounted mine for the same price of a mc tire $ 40 American and took the tire off , put the new on and balanced it and put the tire back on the bike ...... he thinks the ct's are useless and stupid and belong on cars , but he will still take your money and not complain .... I chose the Michelin because they advertise a great rain tire , I'm using a 202-55-16  H series Michelin Pilot , damn good tire and smooth , no agressive tread so no surprises ... downside is I should of used the 65 series for better gas mileage .... my 55 causes the engine to run a few more RPM'S where as the 65 series will lower the RPM'S a little for better gas mileage ... either way I;m very pleased with the Michelin from Sam'e Whse only $ 125 American  I have about 6000 miles + on the tire and the more miles the better it handles ...  stay away from the agressive looking tires you might have some surprises , but their all good tires ..... Thanks Old Geezer Richard

[houstone]

Today it happened, I ordered a car tire from blanketyblank.com.  I was just sitting back, basking in the commitment to the Darkside…
About an hour into the bask my cell phone rang.  It was Dallas from blanketyblank.com with a question about my order!
He said, “You indicated that you are ordering this tire for a Honda Valkyrie, that’s a motorcycle, isn’t it?”  I proudly responded, “Sure is!”, and my heart skipped a beat with the thought of my lovely, powerful, smoothly comfortable Valk.
Dallas then said, “Are you aware that the construction of a motorcycle tire and a passenger car tire are entirely different?”.  I replied, “Of course, and I can’t wait to try it!”.  He then calmly said that he would not be able to sell me that tire if I was going to use it on a motorcycle because of the liability blah, blah, blah, and I went off!  I said, “Are you telling me that I have to tell you it is for a car for you to process my order?”  He said yes, and I interrupted him with, “I’ll tell you what, I am using it as a decoration.  I am remodeling my game room, and turning it into a auto racing theme room.  This tire will be used as part of an end table in my 1999 Village Builder’s Cordoba model house!  How’s that?”  He said he personally couldn’t care less what I did with it, but he couldn’t write on the order that it was for a motorcycle.  I could hear the keyboard clicking in the background and he told me my tire would be delivered in 2 to 3 days.  I apologized for being combative, and thanked him for his efforts.  I can’t wait to see the invoice, or to take that first spin on the Darkside!

[Ken Tarver]

when i ordered mine....i left that section blank where it asked what vehicle the tire was for.
Ken

[fudgie]

Find a custom shop or a shade tree HD mechanic. I took my tire of the bike took it to a HD guy. He mounted it and I put it back on the bike.

[Bladedog]

Today it happened, I ordered a car tire from blanketyblank.com.  I was just sitting back, basking in the commitment to the Darkside…
About an hour into the bask my cell phone rang.  It was Dallas from blanketyblank.com with a question about my order!
He said, “You indicated that you are ordering this tire for a Honda Valkyrie, that’s a motorcycle, isn’t it?”  I proudly responded, “Sure is!”, and my heart skipped a beat with the thought of my lovely, powerful, smoothly comfortable Valk.
Dallas then said, “Are you aware that the construction of a motorcycle tire and a passenger car tire are entirely different?”.  I replied, “Of course, and I can’t wait to try it!”.  He then calmly said that he would not be able to sell me that tire if I was going to use it on a motorcycle because of the liability blah, blah, blah, and I went off!  I said, “Are you telling me that I have to tell you it is for a car for you to process my order?”  He said yes, and I interrupted him with, “I’ll tell you what, I am using it as a decoration.  I am remodeling my game room, and turning it into a auto racing theme room.  This tire will be used as part of an end table in my 1999 Village Builder’s Cordoba model house!  How’s that?”  He said he personally couldn’t care less what I did with it, but he couldn’t write on the order that it was for a motorcycle.  I could hear the keyboard clicking in the background and he told me my tire would be delivered in 2 to 3 days.  I apologized for being combative, and thanked him for his efforts.  I can’t wait to see the invoice, or to take that first spin on the Darkside!

  Gotta LOVE that... special thanks to all those liability attorneys! WELL Played!

So far everyone's had good things to say about the Goodyear Triple Treads.  I still have a few miles to go before I need a new tire, but that will give me time to start polling the local shops to see who wants some easy money.  Worst case, the local riders club here in Central Cal has a member who wants to start getting together for some "maintenance parties".  He even says he has some tire-changing equipment, but we'll see what the shops charge first.  I'll have a better warm-tummy feeling if a pro does the mounting and balancing.

[96valk]

the size of tire fits a honda accord. Had the same thing happen when i ordered my first one,  Had to call back and tell them it was for a car.  Next time I went to my local Les Schwab and looked for a symetrical not to agresive h or v rated Got two at $80 each.  the salesman wanted to know what they were for  I told him if told him I would have to kill him. After i paid I told him and he said bring it by so he could see it.  My local honda shop puts them on for me

[houstone]

I found a local independent shop to do it.  I put about 25 miles on it tonight, and it is fine!  A little "squishy", sort-of, at times, but not a problem.  I have felt the same sort of "difference" thing with other new motorcycle tires as I got used to the profile.  It is the Goodyear Assurance Triple Tred, and fits just right!  I didn't even have to remove the rear fender, since the floor jack goes so high!   

[Grandude]

Whoever mounts your tire, make sure they reassemble the rear wheel with the proper tightening sequence.

The 4 final drive gearcase nuts need to be tightened last. They are the nuts that connect the pumpkin to the driveshaft cover. If this is not done it can ruin the final drive splines.
It's also a good idea to grease the driveshaft and final drive splines and replace the 3 O-rings if necessary.

Rear axle nut TORQUE

(mm) hl-rn (kgbrn. Ibfmft)

170 (11.2, 81)

Final gearcase nuts (4) TORQUE

(mm) hl-rn (kgbrn. Ibfmft)

64 (6.5, 47)

[DeathWishBikerDude]

I've actually taken my last few tire changes to a regular auto tire shop.
They change the tire in about 10 minutes,rather than 10 hours like most mc shops.
It's usually cheaper also.
Try running more air pressure for a better ride.
I run between 50-60 psi in my darkside.

[Ken Tarver]

34 # here,  on a tourer,  1-up

Ken

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

I am running a BFGoodrich Traction TA 205/65/16 30 psi on a standard one rider. Feels great and really grabs the road. One of the gents here in Florida rode the same tire at 34 psi and the middle wore to fast. 

[SANDMAN5]

I run between 50-60 psi in my darkside.

WOW!! I started mine out at 40 for the first 50 miles or so and then
lowered it till it felt "just right" at 36. I've tried it as low as 32 but
didn't like the way it felt in curves.

[Bone]

Bladedog I try to not promote any products not considered OEM. But, last week I rode from S.Mich. to Mesa on a Triple Tread with no complaints. This is my second CT. I always jot down the air temp when I check tire pressure on a cold tire. Checkng at Mich. temps is much different than the Arizona lows. I have between 36 & 38 lbs. at both locations

[RUDE DOG - Steelers]

I just finished installing my new car tire yesterday, a Yokohama Advan A048 205/55 in Medium Hard compound.   Although I only have a few miles on it, I like it. I took the wheel and tire to my local Yamaha dealer and they charged me $20 to mount and balance.  All the rest of the work I did myself.  I did a lot of reading and prepping for it with info from the Archives.  Took my time and no problems.  Too many stories about dealers not servicing the rear end properly.  If I did it, Im confident that most anyone can.