Darkside 205/60/16 Question

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Is the nut cage mod needed for this size tire. Been awhile since running my GYTT on my old Tourer and thought it was a 205/65/16 and did the mod. Just saw my Bridgestone Battleax looked like this after 6,200 miles.

Time to go back with a CT and want to try the Champiro. Just curious if the nut cage mod is needed. Thanks

[old2soon]

Some do some don't. I had the wheel out and they were accessible so I dood it. My first D/S was a 205-60-16. The next 2 including the current one are 205-65-16. with the nut cage mod done I KNOW I WILL NOT rub/hit/destroy anything back there now with my D/S tire choice. Yer call! RIDE SAFE.

[old2soon]

I took a closer look at the pic of your tire. 6200 miles-DAMN. I just looked at my records today after my ride and my D/S Nexen 5000 in 205-65-16 and my front Shinko at a smidge over 12000 miles looks like I'm good til spring. And the Nexen handles dry or wet fine. At 6200 miles on yours I would need 2 a season every season I've had my Valkyrie-most likely looking to purchase the ninth one NOW!  I KNEW there was a REASON I went to the D/S. 

[Brian]

Hey there Ky,Dave.

I have the exact tire size on my standard. Since I have the leatherlyke bags the nut cage mod had to be done a bit differently. I trimmed off the nut cages and took that nut to the grinder removing half of it making it thinner and the re-installed the mounting stud for the bags. The bolt was then trimmed flush with the nut. This gave the tire plenty of room. FYI, I actually only had to this on the right side but did both anyway. Once I knew my work was good to go. I painted all the exposed steel with black rustoleum.

Go for it.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Hey there Ky,Dave.

I have the exact tire size on my standard. Since I have the leatherlyke bags the nut cage mod had to be done a bit differently. I trimmed off the nut cages and took that nut to the grinder removing half of it making it thinner and the re-installed the mounting stud for the bags. The bolt was then trimmed flush with the nut. This gave the tire plenty of room. FYI, I actually only had to this on the right side but did both anyway. Once I knew my work was good to go. I painted all the exposed steel with black rustoleum.

Go for it.

Thanks for another take on it. I'm probably gonna do as old2soon states since it will be apart anyway, and do the complete mod (reversing as I did on other bike,Tourer) without shaving the nut and bolt since I have the hard bags and a trailer hitch. With the extra strain on the bolts when towing I want the whole nut there. 

[Punisher]

You will most likely need the nut-cage mod on any 205 tire, especially if you are heavy and/or ride two-up and loaded.   Now the Austone or Hercules tires being used, which are more narrow and handle more closely to a motorcycle specific tire, do not require the nut-cage mod.

[Cliff]

I put a 205-60/16 on my interstate with no mods.  Was fine solo but not 2 up and loaded.  Then I did the "washer mod" and all is fine now= nothing rubbing even 2 up and loaded heavy.

[Jess from VA]

And really there is no big (or little) down side to doing the simple nut cage mod with any CT.  

It's not like it reduces the value of the bike, or makes it unsafe, or causes the fender to fall off.

Even if you only rub once in a blue moon, it is too often. (esp since the blue moon is likely when loaded down and on a long trip away from home)