CT Clearance Question for Darksiders

[Dr Bobs Patient]

I recently put a Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3 205/55/16 on my 99 IS with 40 psi.  Riding by myself there was no rubbing.  Riding two up, it rubbed on the cage nut.  So this weekend, I performed the cage nut mod and it stopped rubbing there, but occasionally (left turn and hitting a bump) there is another scraping sound like the CT is hitting the curled edge of the inside fender around the area where the cage nut was located.  This is my best guess.

Below is the only pic I can get of the clearance, it's between the tire and the swingarm, aboyt 1/8".  Is this too close and is there anything else that would help?



The bike came with Progressive shocks and I'm not sure what size they are and don't know if that is a contributing factor.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

DBP

[Ricky-D]

Some report only having a credit card clearance between the tire and the swingarm.

As long as you've no rubbing when straight up riding, I can see no real problem.

Hitting when bottoming out could be with the connector cover for the wiring that is located inside the rear fender at the top.  Too severe rubbing has caused some problems for a few.

A good inspection will reveal exactly where any rubbing takes place, on the tire or with the bike. Identifying what's going on should be a big help in deciding what to do about it. (the rubbing)

***

[Rocketman]

Some report only having a credit card clearance between the tire and the swingarm.

As long as you've no rubbing when straight up riding, I can see no real problem.

Hitting when bottoming out could be with the connector cover for the wiring that is located inside the rear fender at the top.  Too severe rubbing has caused some problems for a few.

A good inspection will reveal exactly where any rubbing takes place, on the tire or with the bike. Identifying what's going on should be a big help in deciding what to do about it. (the rubbing)

Partially concur.  The connector cover (protects the wiring for the taillight, turn signals, etc) was going to be my guess as well.  That being said, I don't think you should let it go.  The way that connector cover is constructed is such that it will get worse.  Every time the tire rubs, it will drag part of the cover farther into the tire path.  I had this happen the first time I rode two-up with a car tire.  My shocks were too short, and I swapped 'em out for some OEM shocks, and all was good.  Look into either adjusting preload, or changing your rear shocks to a longer set.

Mark

[old2soon]

Before i went D/S i did the nut cage mod. My first D/S was a General Altimax in 205-60-16 and one credit card thickness between sidewall and swing arm. 1 up or 2 up a non issue. My next and current D/S choice is a Nexen 512 in 205-65-16. I now have 4 credit card thicknesses between side wall and swing arm. Again 1 up or 2 up a non issue. And the Nexen sits a little taller than the General did. I have the original stock shocks on mine and IF i were to replace the shocks it would be with something with stock length-13 inches. And B T W-my shocks are in the # 3 position-1 up or 2 up. Hope some of this helps you. RIDE SAFE.

[KSDragonRider]

I found i was hitting that connector cover as well, im running a 205/65/16  I had already dont the nut cage and the washer mod, found i just had problems when i bottomed out hard.  Moved the shocks from 4 to 5.  We are both decent sized, and we pull a trailer every once in a while on our interstate.  Once i got used to the 5 setting, it feels super soft and strange on the 4 setting now.

[Dr Bobs Patient]

I think my shocks are set at 3, measure 12.5" from center to center of each eye with the bike on it's kick stand.  Those numbers on the springs are 1365 120/170 if that would help identify the size.  I have a two credit card clearance on the swingarm.  I'll try to use the preload but may have to live with them awhile as the budget is tight right now.

[RainMaker]

I had rubbing problems and Daniel Meyer made the suggestion to put duct tape on the spots I thought might be rubbing, then ride 10-20 miles and take the wheel back off to see where the tape had been rubbed/hit by the tire.  There was no doubt where the rubbing was after that experiment - I had to do a triple washer mod to move the fender over to the right to clear up my sidewall issues, and that was after the nut cage mod.  This with the Altimax 205-60-16 V rated.

So, try the duct tape - you will know after that.

RainMaker

[JaysGone]

Duct tape or white shoe polish works well.
On my bike slight rub occasionally from the nut area.
I just took a 3 inch dowel rod and rolled the fender itself outward.
Looks fine no more rubs.

[Rocketman]

On my bike slight rub occasionally from the nut area.

Try trimming some foam out of the front of the seat.  That might help.

Mark

[jmann]

On my bike slight rub occasionally from the nut area.

Try trimming some foam out of the front of the seat.  That might help.

Mark

              

[Blackduck]

Nice mod, better than removing the nut cage

[JaysGone]

On my bike slight rub occasionally from the nut area.

Try trimming some foam out of the front of the seat.  That might help.

Mark

Thanks mark
Thats the best advice Ive gotten from anyone since joining this forum last year.
Most usefull too.

[Dr Bobs Patient]

A thread in the technical section containing the words "duct tape" and "nut area" becomes a little distressing to me.  

DBP