Darkside rub

[39 Chev]

 

I just put on a Falken 512 205/65 on my Tourer-Glide.  I have Interstate shocks on it.  Shocks set one click down from full stiff.

Riding double (275 rider, 165 passenger) along with full bags, I bottomed pretty hard on the wiring "covers" under the fender.  Went into a corner pretty hot and there was a whoop in the middle of the corner.  Sounded like I scraped the pegs, but I wasn't that far leaned over.

When I got home, I looked up under there and the forward cover was bent so it was facing down instead of folded over the connector to the rear.  I bent it back and set the shocks on full stiff.  We'll see how that works.  Anything else I'm missing?


So far, I am liking the Darkside (except the rub).  Slight difference in handling, but you get used to it after a couple of hundred miles.  The 200 RPM (approximately) difference at 70 MPH is noticeable. 

I'm leaving on a trip to Colorado in a week, so I hope stiffening up the shock solves the rub...

[old2soon]

Identical rear tire on my I/S. Stock shocks middle setting ride solo mostly but even with my daughter aboard i don't change the shock setting. No rub with her aboard and no rub with spirited riding. And the nut cage mod has been accomplished. I had mine loaded down fairly good going to Inzane shock setting in the middle and no issues. Unlees having to slow down to wait on my brother with his standard pulling a trailer is an issue.  RIDE SAFE.

[R J]

Have you performed the nut cage removal?

If not, do that and then let us know how it is.

[Gryphon Rider]

Have you performed the nut cage removal?

If not, do that and then let us know how it is.

How will this solve rubbing on the electrical connector cover?

[Fritz The Cat]

Have you performed the nut cage removal?

If not, do that and then let us know how it is.

How will this solve rubbing on the electrical connector cover?

Yea, I was wondering this myself.

[dreamchaser]

It might be a good idea to change out your shocks for Progressive items.  You are asking a lot from shocks that have already let you down once.  I am sure that the lives of both you and your passenger are worth a lot more than the $500+ for the far stouter Progressive product.  Err on the side of caution...... just a thought.

[BonS]

If you go Progressive be sure to get the HD springs. My Interstate has a 65 series CT and 12.5" Progressive 440's non-HD's. With me @ 165 and my passenger @ 110, plus gear, and a Rivco floating trailer-hitch-rack luggage set up @ 25# tops, requires my non HD springs to be set at max to avoid rubbing on severe dips. The 13" Progressives made the bike taller than OEM and really, really leaned over on the side stand. I did the nut cage job and used carriage bolts.

Could your wiring cover have been previously bent out and you were actually hitting on the right nut cage?

[KSDragonRider]

I have the same tire on my interstate, and with my wife and i on it and shocks set to 4 we did the same thing.

I went to setting #5, and have not had anymore problems hitting that little box. After 5k of the shocks on 5, i went back to 4, and it felt like everything was to bouncy, so we just went back to 5 and left it.

I did the nut cage and the washer mod, reversed the bolts to be head on the inside.   

[Brian]

39 chevy,
Nice garage.

[39 Chev]

39 chevy,
Nice garage.

Thanks...

To answer RJ's question, yes the nut cage mod was done.  No problem rubbing on there or on the swingarm (like have read other guys' bikes doing...).

I will try setting 5 and see how it goes.  I just hope I don't have a problem on my trip.  If I continue to have problems, besides going to Progressive shocks, another idea I had is to switch to the Austone tire.  I know it's a little taller, but it quite a bit narrower and it seems the tire is rubbing on the wiring cover towards the outside edge.  With a narrower tire it might not rub.  I don't want to go back to a M/C tire.  I really like the reduction in RPM's.

Thanks everyone for the advice...

[valky1500]

Don't want to forget the Falkens 205 65 16 call for 44lbs air pressure and that will take care of the rub. My stock 13" shock settings are at 3. That's both solo and when she's on the back.

If it still rubs on the side then it's time to take a serious look at changing both bearings. I use the 5204's on both sides with

http://www.vxb.com/page/bearings/PROD/Kit10108?

on the left side.

Here's how to do that mod-

http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/5204_bearing_mod.pdf

[Gryphon Rider]

A few points:
1.  The pressure indicated on the side of any street legal tire is the MAXIMUM pressure that tire has been designed to hold, and is usually only required under the maximum load, also indicated on the tire.  A smaller load requires less pressure for a smooth ride and even tread wear.
2.  If a tire touches inside the fender when the suspension is compressed, this has nothing to do with bearings.
3.  To ELIMINATE the problem of a tire rubbing the fender when the suspension is compressed (as opposed to MINIMIZING it), one either needs a smaller tire, shocks with a longer compressed length, or modification of the fender.

[valky1500]

Gryphon Rider
A few more points:
1. The pressure indicated on the side of any street legal tire is the pressure it was designed to use, 1. to seat on the rim and to stand on the treads properly.
2.If the tire touches the inside of the fender when suspension is compressed does mean you either:
a. have too short of and the wrong size shocks or
b. the wheel is out of alignment because of something like the very common signs and causes of the wheel bearings on the outs and this is directly related to the tire rub on the sides or anywheres else like inside of the fender or both.
3. To eliminate the problem of tire rubbing in the fender or anywhere else requires finding the cause and the proper matching of the parts you are using.

The Falkin Ziex 205 65 16 is the tire we are talking about and it is a tall tire, Short shocks is another concern, unless you want to use a smaller tire that is.

NOTE-
If this discussion were about your god given rights to use whatever parts you want because you want to use them, then you are correct. Otherwise, stand corrected with this info given to you and smile.
You can put 100 lbs in your tire if you want to or only 5lbs but what does that prove?
You can and will only suffer from the consequences.
You are correct:
It's a matter of your own choice to make.

[Gryphon Rider]

From http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoSidewall.do

Maximum Load Limit - "635 kg [1400 lbs]"
This indicates the tire's maximum load-carrying capabilities when the tire is inflated to its maximum inflation pressure, as indicated on the sidewall. Max load is based on standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Maximum Air Pressure - "300 kPa [44 psi]"
This indicates the maximum operating inflation pressure of the tire. It does not indicate the manufacturer's recommended inflation pressure, nor does it indicate the proper air pressure based on the vehicle the tire is mounted on. This category is also based on NHTSA standards.
Note - Some tires are marked 'Extra Load', 'XL', or 'RF' (for reinforced). This simply denotes that the tire's indicated maximum load and air pressure are higher than a standard load tire.

From http://www.trucktestdigest.com/TTDfeatures/FeatureTireInflation.htm

PROPER INFLATION PRESSURE
Speaking of recommended air pressure, do not use the pressure indicated on the tire’s sidewall. That pressure is the maximum that specific tire needs to carry its heaviest load. It has nothing to do with that tire’s proper inflation pressure when it’s used on your vehicle.
The vehicle manufacture’s go to great lengths to determine a tire’s proper inflation pressure when used on a specific vehicle.
So, inflate the tires according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations as found on the driver’s door or in the owners manual—not the tire manufacture’s pressure as noted on the tire sidewall.

[valky1500]

Not knowing what your pointis, That makes sense to me.
And where does it say motorcycle?

[valky1500]

or tire rub on motorcycles for that matter?

and for whatever mater it makes, the Falken Ziex is a european made tire.

[Fritz The Cat]

or tire rub on motorcycles for that matter?

and for whatever mater it makes, the Falken Ziex is a european made tire.

I didn't know Thailand was in Europe. 

[Disco]

Valky,

I hope I'm wrong, but I've read this several times and it seems like things became unnecessarily contentious. 

In case I'm right - if you stay around long enough, I believe you'll realize that Gryphon Rider is a smart guy whose posts can be relied upon.

Disco 

[valky1500]

The gist is more related to what is being implied without drifting into areas that are merely related by concept or other offtopic areas.

In other words, simply talking about what someone is asking about and that's without all the hyperbole.

People really do want and are looking for info even in their already confused state.

Nothing more...
Nothing less.

That is fine info you have passed my way and I thank you for it.

Anyone who still rides or has ever ridden a Valkyrie is a friend of mine.

No questions asked.

[Wewaman]

gotta question for the Gurus here,
 I did cut the nut cage but can anyone tell me the size and length of the carriage bolts ?
What is the washer mod ?
and I just got what looks like a HF tire changer off Ebay but it seems to me that my wheel won't go on the changer.  I'm guessing that the rim has about a 1" hole for the rear axel from pics I have seen.   how do you make that work?  Haven't taken rear tire off the bike yet, I got all the O rings and the thrust washer.   Just want to make sure I have everything ready before I start this project, will be the first time so I wanna make sure I get everything in order before I bite off more than I can chew.  I'm tired of chewing on the other projects going on at the house. 

Thanks,
WEWA

[WamegoRob]

What is the washer mod ?

It's a method of using washers behind the grab rails to spread the fender a little.
Here's some pics of it (pic #7 actually shows the washer placement):
http://rides.webshots.com/album/558419637qsIyod?vhost=rides

And here's a thread on the bolts:
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?topic=39427.0

[KSDragonRider]

gotta question for the Gurus here,
 I did cut the nut cage but can anyone tell me the size and length of the carriage bolts ?
What is the washer mod ?
and I just got what looks like a HF tire changer off Ebay but it seems to me that my wheel won't go on the changer.  I'm guessing that the rim has about a 1" hole for the rear axel from pics I have seen.   how do you make that work?  Haven't taken rear tire off the bike yet, I got all the O rings and the thrust washer.   Just want to make sure I have everything ready before I start this project, will be the first time so I wanna make sure I get everything in order before I bite off more than I can chew.  I'm tired of chewing on the other projects going on at the house. 

Thanks,
WEWA

rear axle is 3/4" dia. if all you bought was a HF tire changer, then yeah, not going to work.  You need to get the motorcycle wheel attachment for it.
Id you remember to get bearings and seals while you are at it?  Personally, they bearings and seals are so cheap i just dont see doing more than 2 tires on a set of bearings.

[Ricky-D]

All the controversy aside, I wonder why no one has said anything about the bike being overloaded is the cause of the rubbing.

Because that is why the tire rubs on the inside of the fender.

Best thing to do is to stiffen the rear shocks for the load the bike is carrying.

Whether new shocks will do the job is questionable.

I'd try to shim the stock shock springs first.

***

[valky1500]

I actually did try to say just that in my first post without any bites on this thread.

Why not just use the right size shocks (13") for that (tall) size tire. It is actually an added 1" diameter over OEM.

I do know the Interstates use a 12.5" shocks where Tourer and Standard use the 13's.

One more thing might be needed, proper air pressure in the tire, at riders discretion of course.

[Jess from VA]

Interstates, and all valks, use (come with) 13" shocks.

After the OE shocks get worn out, people replace with new 12.5s so the ride height is the same as on their worn out shocks.