Getting a CT mounted in Houston area?

[MrBreeze]

MC shops won't touch it nor most tire shops. Anyone know where to go that won't destroy my rim? I'm in The Woodlands.

[cutter]

I've had Manns tire in Tomball put 2 CTs on for me. I took the wheel to them and removed the brake rotor. They asked me to that as to prevent any damage to it when they removed the tire. They can't balance it but I use dyna beads so no big deal there.

They are on 2920 west of the four corners on the south side.

I'm just west of The Woodlands - FM2978/ Woodland Prky area

[MrBreeze]

THX Cutter! I'll give em a try when my tire arrives.
I'm tryin a CT for the 1st time. Guess since u've had 2 installed u like it huh? From what i've read run between 25-28 psi?

[John Schmidt]

THX Cutter! I'll give em a try when my tire arrives.
I'm tryin a CT for the 1st time. Guess since u've had 2 installed u like it huh? From what i've read run between 25-28 psi?

No, about 10psi higher is where most of us run them. I run 36-37 in mine, when below 30 it gets a bit mushy and may cause the rear end to wallow sideways in turns. Just not enough air to stiffen the sidewall.

[Gear Jammer]

THX Cutter! I'll give em a try when my tire arrives.
I'm tryin a CT for the 1st time. Guess since u've had 2 installed u like it huh? From what i've read run between 25-28 psi?

I did mine at Mann's as well.  I run 40psi in my Toyo.  Got another standing by 

[MrBreeze]

THX Cutter! I'll give em a try when my tire arrives.
I'm tryin a CT for the 1st time. Guess since u've had 2 installed u like it huh? From what i've read run between 25-28 psi?

I did mine at Mann's as well.  I run 40psi in my Toyo.  Got another  standing by 

Thx Gear Jammer! Guess i'm gonna try Hydro Edge since Toyo's no longer available.
Think i'll start at 40psi since most riding is with the wife. Low speed handling is my most concern since bike is already top heavy especially with 2 up.

[PhredValk]

I've heard that the Hydroedge is very stiff and not great at low speed turning.

I keep my Falken at 38#

No bike or car tire shop would touch mine. I went to a quad shop and they'll put any tire on any rim, and they sell Dynabeads and Ride-on.
Fred.

[cutter]

I have a Yokohama AVID ENVigor V rated 205-60 and run 34 psi in it. tire is rated at 50 psi, had it at 42 and ran the center out of it.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H%26V%29

Can't speak for other CTs, been running with this one and no complaints here.
Manns ordered the first one but told me to get it from tire rack cause they couldn't beat the price when i got the 2nd. Just bring it in when ya get it, no problems. Had at the house 2 days after I ordered it.  

The only thing you have to keep in mind with this tire is it takes about 1000 miles to break in the side wall. For me that's not a problem. I'm just say'n

[MrBreeze]

I have a Yokohama AVID ENVigor V rated 205-60 and run 34 psi in it. tire is rated at 50 psi, had it at 42 and ran the center out of it.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Yokohama&tireModel=AVID+ENVigor+%28H%26V%29

Can't speak for other CTs, been running with this one and no complaints here.
Manns ordered the first one but told me to get it from tire rack cause they couldn't beat the price when i got the 2nd. Just bring it in when ya get it, no problems. Had at the house 2 days after I ordered it.  

The only thing you have to keep in mind with this tire is it takes about 1000 miles to break in the side wall. For me that's not a problem. I'm just say'n

Ok ENVigor has been ordered! Thx Phred & Cutter for the advice.
Now time to hit Shoptalk & refresh my mind on rear spline maintenance, been awhile!

[MP]

Tell them it is off a trike or a sidecar rig.  They run CT's all the time.  Or  a trailer.  I am lucky, my local Honda dealer does mine, no questions asked.

MP

[cutter]

Doing the maintenance is easy to do. Make sure the 3 O-rings are in good shape and ya grease up everything. I use Castrol marine wheel bearing grease, the carmel colored one. Never have found a dry hub yet. I'd change your final drive oil while your at it and pull the drive shaft for a grease and visual check. 

Keep an eye out for your nylon washer. Don't want to loose it. Mine tend to stay in the wheel due to the grease.

If ya get stuck and need a hand, I'd be glad to help if I'm not on the clock.

Bill

[MrBreeze]

Not bad idea MP!
Ok Cutter, I replaced orings, thrust washer, dust seal & used Honda Moly 60 paste 14k ago then replaced rear tire 8k ago which I inspected orings & added more paste. I was going to order orings/thrush washer this time since it's it been 14k miles, ur opinion? I replaced final drive oil bout 15k ago with Amsoil Severe Gear oil, prolly dont need it but have some so was gonna change anyway.
Just read up on u joints & lack of availability. Whats approx life span if u ride hard & 2 up alot? Def will pullin out & checkin.

I wouldn't mind hosting a small wrench/Darkside party on the north end of town in the Woodlands. I have a garage with air & basic tools & wouldn't mind having some extra knowledge around when messin with drive train along with chance to meet some new riders.

[cutter]

You've been busy on that back end. I only replace the Orings when they needed it. Never have replaced the nylon washer.... may next time. I have replaced U-joint, shaft and pinion cup once. If my rememberer is working the u-joint was somewhere between 80-90 thousand and then replaced the other 2 round 100k. Have better than twice the milage now and those are doing fine.
  Your mileage may vary. My gearbag has seen more seat time than the any passenger has I ride aggressive but don't abuse her. I have more money invested in oil, tires and brake pads than all other parts combined. 

[Ricky-D]

My feeling is that higher pressures in car tires is not the norm.

I run 34psi in mine and others like them even softer. As low as 28psi.

The crux of the matter is related to how the sidewall reacts.

With a motorcycle tire you necessarily like a stiff non-reactive sidewall so it's understandable that the same view sometimes is carried over to a car tire.

That's maybe not necessary for a car tire when you mount it on a motorcycle.

My car tire has no feeling of rolling off the tread when the bike leans over. It did have that exact feeling at lower pressure (around 26psi) and although it didn't alarm me, I didn't like the feeling.

So, I finally settled on where it is now (34psi) a good solid feel.

High pressure in the car tire will not have any measurable benefit, and will probably lessen the handling properties along with reducing the expected mileage from the tire. Which is the main reason I have the car tire.

***

[MrBreeze]

You've been busy on that back end. I only replace the Orings when they needed it. Never have replaced the nylon washer.... may next time. I have replaced U-joint, shaft and pinion cup once. If my rememberer is working the u-joint was somewhere between 80-90 thousand and then replaced the other 2 round 100k. Have better than twice the milage now and those are doing fine.
  Your mileage may vary. My gearbag has seen more seat time than the any passenger has I ride aggressive but don't abuse her. I have more money invested in oil, tires and brake pads than all other parts combined. 

Yea I agree to busy. That's why I wanna do it right, put the CT on & not worry bout it for at 25k miles.


Yea Ricky I was fig on starting out bout 35psi & adjust til I like it.

[PhredValk]

You may get 25K+ miles from that CT, but remember; you still have to remove the wheel every 10K miles to do the maintenance (clean, inspect and lube the splines, O-rings, drive shaft and pinion cup).
Fred.

[cutter]

Don't forget to do the nut mod since you mentioned you ride 2 up. It's easy to do when the tire is off. I took the fender section off and did it. I replace the bolts with a thinner head and cut to fit with a cap nut. I have an I/S and on one side the bolt was past the nut enough that I could easly scratch the saddle bag cover if I wasn't careful.

I have never removed the rear at 10k to do a grease check and thats just me. I have to replace rear tires every 10-12 months just due to milage on them. Never a problem with a dry hub. I'm just say'n.
Hopefully this time I wiil be pulling the rear for a grease check and not a replacement CT again.

I know my ride and keep her in great running shape. I have yet to re-fix anything I have done, that includes pulling the motor out once to replace the rear cover after 2 Alternator bolts broke off in it. Now as for keeping her clean  not so much, I ride her daily and cleaning just gets in the way  she is a dirty girl 

[Gear Jammer]

and BTW,,, Cycle Shack on 45 in Conroe told me they'd mount a CT on the bike.  One of the shop guys there has a Darkside Valk.  May be closer to you than Mann's in Tomball.  GJ

[MrBreeze]

Don't forget to do the nut mod since you mentioned you ride 2 up. It's easy to do when the tire is off. I took the fender section off and did it. I replace the bolts with a thinner head and cut to fit with a cap nut. I have an I/S and on one side the bolt was past the nut enough that I could easly scratch the saddle bag cover if I wasn't careful.

I have never removed the rear at 10k to do a grease check and thats just me. I have to replace rear tires every 10-12 months just due to milage on them. Never a problem with a dry hub. I'm just say'n.
Hopefully this time I wiil be pulling the rear for a grease check and not a replacement CT again.

I know my ride and keep her in great running shape. I have yet to re-fix anything I have done, that includes pulling the motor out once to replace the rear cover after 2 Alternator bolts broke off in it. Now as for keeping her clean  not so much, I ride her daily and cleaning just gets in the way  she is a dirty girl 

Yea I did nut mod back when I tried a 200 series mc tire.
 I do all the maintenance & the wife keeps her clean, I'd rather turn a wrench any day than clean something. How bout timing belts, done that? I'm at 62k & thinking it's due soon, that & I bought the trigger wheel sometime ago & have never installed it.


Thx GJ, that's closer but do they charge much more?

[cutter]

I changed T-belts when I crossed over the 100k miles. Belts looked ok but had some belt deposits on the pulleys. I got the belts from NAPA in Tomball. Knocking on 220k and have the belts on my to do list and it's an easy job to do. You can pull the covers and check to see how they look and then decide what you feel you need to do. You may just want to go ahead and do it just due to age of the bike.

Thanks to GJ ya have a choice for mounting. Got that tire in yet?

[MrBreeze]

Yea ENVigor arrived at doorstep yesterday & Metzler should be here today. Like the looks of the ENVigor, actually has somewhat shape of an mc tire, rounder on the edges. Gonna try to get started on it tomm afternoon.

[cutter]

Nice. Now you'll need to get your DS# and a cookie if your lucky. 

Welcome to the darkside..... 

[pistolchamp]

That tire has been on my lady for 52,400 trouble free miles.  I run 35 psi and have been down to 20 psi by accident without a problem.  In fact, I had a 140# passenger that day, no big deal.

I have a new tire ordered and the Honda shop in New Braunfels is willing to change it for their normal price.

With over 93,000 miles on her, I am going to change the timing belts and run the valve clearances for the first time at about 100,000.

Other tham oil and oil filter changes and air filter changes, this bike has had little done to it in over eight years, and she is not for sale.

I wish all my mechanical things were as reliable.

[MrBreeze]

Nice. Now you'll need to get your DS# and a cookie if your lucky. 

Welcome to the darkside..... 

Well came down with narly head cold thursday night & hurt too much to even move my head last 2 days so goin to the D/S is prolly gonna have to wait til Thanksgiving w/e as i'm traveling next cpl weekends. Keep ya posted.