Car tire rubbing on swing arm

[MrKris]

My Falken 205-65 Ziex 512 is rubbing on the swing arm, enough to have rubbed the lettering off.  It seems to be hitting on what appears to be a stiffening plate on the inside of the swing arm. My question is, how thick is this plate?  Can I sand it down just a mm or two to get the clearance I need?  Nothing radical, just some power sanding.

[olddog1946]

When my tire started rubbing on the swingarm it was a bad left bearing..if your's had a few miles on it before the rubbing started, check those bearings....doesn't take long to start some really heavy wear on the splines if you have a sloppy one.

[fantsybikr]

I have heard of a guy cutting most of that plate off...not really sure if he ever had any problems with it. I wouldn't think a bit of sanding would hurt.  I have a 205-60..and have about an 1/8 inch clearance and do not think I would try any wider

[old2soon]

Have the identical on my I/S for a little over 5000 miles and NO rubbing issues. Just got back from Inzane with a lot of twistys and nu rubbing. I have some room left after getting thre(3)credit cards held together between the swingarm and tire sidewall. Have it at 34 p s i and liking it lots. olddog 1946 has a good suggestion-check rear wheel bearings. RIDE SAFE.

[MrKris]

Awesome, something else to replace. I'm starting to doubt more and more how well this was taken care of. Oh well, I have a new thrust washer and a new set of dampers to go in.  Also new valve stems for the tires. Might as well order se bearings and get it all at once.

[Daniel Meyer]

Put a piece of masking tape on the swing arm, go for a ride, and make sure that's actually where it's rubbing. Often it hits the nut cage in the rear fender segment and the rubber ends up in the swing arm.

And I agree with above, if it's rubbing the swing arm and it wasn't when you started, something is broken (left bearing likely).

Double-triple-check that it's actually rubbing there though...it can be very misleading.

[Tropic traveler]

That rub spot on the tire looks more like a nut cage rub to me. I second Daniels observation. Double check. 

[MrKris]

Nut cages came off when swapping the tires. I'm definitely going to get up in there and find where it's making contact. 

Where is a good source for the bearings and should I go ahead and order the special spacer for the double row mod? 

The Valk is my only mode of transportation, so I need it to work right, for a long time.

Thanks for all the help. I have really learned a lot about the old girl from all of you.

[X Ring]

I bought SKF bearings from Motion Industries and I might be a little partial about the Double Row Bearing Mod but I recommend you go ahead and do it.  Since you have already done the nut cage mod, it is possible that the tire is rubbing on the nut for the middle mounting point for the fender rail.  If you find that is the cause, grind it down to the end of the bolt.  That should take care of it.

Marty

[PhredValk]

I have the same tire on my 99 I/S, and it apparently rubs under some set of conditions. It's been on there 18K miles or so and the only indication is a clean spot that runs around the tire at it's equator. It's the swingarm, but I don't really worry about it any more cause most of the lettering lasted over 10K. Yours looks to be above the tire's equator so masking tape on the swingarm and inside the fender may show what's rubbing. You may need the shim mod for the fender...
Fred.

[Skinhead]

I had a 205 rubbing on my IS.  I had done the nut cage mod, but it was rubbing on the square fender nut, so I would grind a 1/16 off the square nut if that is the case.  I also second checking the bearings by jacking up the bike until the rear wheel is off the ground and shaking the wheel to check the bearings for free play.

[fudgie]

My 200 metz did what skinhead was saying, rubbing the nut. It took a 1/4" off my Metz and I ran it for 12k miles.

Is it done rubbing or does it still rub? If its just the lettering I'd let it go.

[MrKris]

It's the nut. No side to side movement in the wheel while up in the air, so the bearings seem to be fine.  I have some long carriage bolts that I am trying to make work with saddlebags and easy brackets. I may just end up grinding down the square nut for now. After I do, I'll paint it so I can tell if it's still rubbing.

[old2soon]

It's the nut. No side to side movement in the wheel while up in the air, so the bearings seem to be fine.  I have some long carriage bolts that I am trying to make work with saddlebags and easy brackets. I may just end up grinding down the square nut for now. After I do, I'll paint it so I can tell if it's still rubbing.

   Did the nut cage mod and used carriage bolts with that flatish roundish head inside the fender. Wurx fine. RIDE SAFE.

[BonS]

Quoting myself from a recent post:

I just finished changing over my second Valkyrie to a CT. The first is a standard and there weren't any surprises. The second bike, an Interstate, was something else again. I did the nut cage mod and tried to reuse the square nut but I had rubbing. I then tried a thinner hardware-store nut and it was still rubbing. I then went to a carriage bolt and had to work hard to get it to fully seat in the fender hole. Not there yet though. The rear fender edge, around the bolt, has a 90 degree bend in it and this bend was poking out toward the tire farther than the carriage bolt head. I bent the edges in a bit and this was finally enough to stop the rubbing. Whew!!

So, while your sitting around you might want to mount your rear wheel and tire and move the tire up an down to make sure that you're good to go with just the nut cage mod."

[MrKris]

I felt the same seam there where the fender halves come together. It is sticking up higher than the head of the carriage bolt.  Also, the welder putting on the nut cages when mine was built really took pride in his job. There was no way those welds were coming off clean from the fender. That's another area I am going to check.  I'm going to take Daniel's advice and put some masking tape over those areas and see how it works out.

[BonS]

While having the shocks removed and an automotive hydraulic floor jack underneath the rear tire I raised the tire up into the wheel well and could simply see the interference points. I sure didn't have much clearance for the tire even when I was finished but it doesn't need much at all. I traveled 1,000 miles two-up and heavily loaded to Inzane without any rubbing.

[X Ring]

While you're at it, perform the washer mod on the middle bolt.  That will pull the fender out a little bit and may help your problem.  It certainly can't hurt.

Marty

[Tropic traveler]

After looking at the pics you posted real hard it looks like the tire is rubbing at the same place that the HydroEdge I had was rubbing. It seems to me that if it was the swingarm the rub mark would be more towards the center of the tire. It was the nutcage on my bike.
I solved the problem with a new Avon Cobra. 

[BonS]

I think MrKris has a Standard but I'm compelled to mention that the washer mod isn't an option for the Interstate because the trunk mounting brackets are dependent on the spacing of the OEM fender stays. To me, it looked impossible, but as we know the impossible just takes a little longer and more persuasion. 

[MrKris]

Yes it's a standard. I looked at the washer mod, but I have a hitch and it's right up next to the fender down at the bottom, especially on the right side. I'm afraid if I move it any, it will rub the paint off the fender.

[Flat6Valk]

I just picked up a new to me IS with a CT(new) Goodyear Assurance already on.  I am new to the CT club.  I am noticing a slight rubbing on the right side during a left turn.  The PO said he had new bearings put on with the new tire, new Avon Cobra on the front with new bearings as well.  I am not sure I feel comfortable with the feel.  the Valkyrie seems a little squirmy in the turns.  Perhaps the shock bushings are worn.  I have not had time to give the detailed inspection.  The CT is a 205/60.  Looks great but I am not sold yet.  I havent given up yet either.  Perhaps air pressure is a factor for me and you too.  I checked the pressures.  34 in both.  I run my Standard with Avon Cobras at 40-42 and have 11K and many miles to go before replacement.

[Jess from VA]

You will like the Goodyear at 40 better than 34, especially when new.

I have one at 36K, another at 8K, and both are at 40.

Countersteering is your friend with the car tire.  Give it some time.

Did he do the nut cage mod before the Goodyear went on?
 http://lifeisaroad.com/stories/2005/08/24/valkyrieRearFenderNutCageMod.html

Have you actually found rub marks on the tire? 

[JaysGone]

Im using a 195-65-16 and have no rubbing issues on the Valk.
I also use the same size tire on my RoadStar that one rubbed.
I used a 2 inch round dowel rod and just rolled the fender edges on both sides.

Has anyone done that using a 205 along with the nut box mod???
Cant see how this wouldnt work on a Valk fender its wide open as is.

[Bone]

My first CT would occasionally rub the drive shaft tube. I live in Mich. with cooler night temps so I raised the air pressure (cold tire) a couple of lbs. each check until the rubbing stopped. I have a GYTT on now with 38# and never a rub. Nut cage has been removed.

[Flat6Valk]

The PO did not do a nut cage mod.  I am thinking the handling, outside of the car tire normal differences, has to do with tire pressure and perhaps shock bushings.  At least I hope so.