Noob in dire need. rear tire removal. help!

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 04:57 PM

Hi folks,
The title says it all...I was trying to remove the rear tire today and just couldn't...did everything according to the service manual; removed cotter pin and went ahead with trying to unscrew the axle nut (on the right side), I used the 'left loosey' rule and as I turned I noticed that the other bolt (on the swingarm side) turned as well. After multiple tries during which I used a (17mm) wrench to hold the swingarm bolt in place while attempting to unscrew the axle nut, I had to give up because my wrench was digging grooves on the nut by the swingarm side. Obviously the whole thing is too tight and I'm sure further attempts are going to the render the smaller nut useless. What should I do???
I'm using brand new wrenches bought from harbor freight.
I would rather not have the bike loaded and taken to a kawi dealership (tight wallet)
I also noticed that after all my attempts the rear tire will now only rotate about 1/3 of the way and then stop...

p.s. My neighbor mentioned something about 'reverse torque' nuts and that I would have to tighten the screw (turn right) to loosen them...??
I'm sorry...I'm lost...please help.
Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Here are some pics :

choneofakind · October 30th, 2011, 05:03 PM

as far as I know, I haven't heard anything about kawasaki using "reverse torque" anything on the 250

jdoucet93 · October 30th, 2011, 05:06 PM

hmm... never seen this problem before. I usually use a breaker bar on the larger nut and have someone else hold the wrench on the other side. It always works. There aren't any reverse thread bolts on our bikes. At least none that I know of. I know I torque my axle bolt down to 80 foot-pounds. Who was the last person to do maintenance on your rear tire?

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 05:09 PM

The bike has only 799 miles, as far as I know, the previous owner never touched the rear wheel (stock tire)...so, NO, no one has touched it before.
I have applied some WD-40 and am waiting for it to...work it's magic before I try again.
....
Oh!...and thanks for the responses guys.

jdoucet93 · October 30th, 2011, 05:12 PM

another thing is to make sure you are using the box end of the wrench and not the crescent end. The box end is the one that is fully enclosed and has lots of "teeth". This will keep you from farking up the bolt and nut.

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 05:15 PM

yup...that's what I'm using...still no gain.
Any idea on why the tire is only rotating 1/3 or so of the way...there is some sort of a resistance, but I can make it rotate fully if I push it (haven't done so though).
...

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 05:21 PM

!!!!! (so so so ecstatic!)
I DID IT!....The b!tch finally turned!....turns out it need a bit of wd-40.
May this be a lesson to all (well...not all...just helpless noobs like moi)....wd-40!
THANK YOU SO MUCH, Josh, Chris...and anybody who viewed but was shy...thanks!

jdoucet93 · October 30th, 2011, 05:31 PM

honestly, that has me completely baffled. The only possible thing it could be would be your swing arm binding. Which actually makes sense. Because it would bind like that if the axle nut was tightened down too much. Which would also make it extremely difficult to remove the nut.

The only other thing I can think is that your chain is binding somewhere. Check the tension while you're working back there. You should have about an inch and a quarter - an inch and a half of play half way between the front and rear sprockets (bottom of the chain).

Link to original page on YouTube.

jdoucet93 · October 30th, 2011, 05:33 PM

awesome! Glad you got it! You should go back to harbor freight and invest in one of their torque wrenches. I have two of them. On that does from like 5-20 foot-pounds and another that does 20-150 foot pounds. They will make your life so much easier later down the road. I got them for like 35. The smaller one was I think $12 and the larger like $17. Really a great deal if you ask me.

choneofakind · October 30th, 2011, 05:36 PM

dumb question about the wheel not turning. The bike isn't in gear is it? I know it seems too simple to be the issue, but the simple things are easiest to check

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 05:37 PM

Thanks brother. I already have a torque wrench (a cheap Chinese make I got from Dolla general 10-150lbs I think), but I'll do as you recommend.
Thanks again for your help man, I really appreciate it.

jdoucet93 · October 30th, 2011, 05:38 PM

Anytime, bro!

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 05:38 PM

@chris...last time I checked it was in neutral...but I'm gonna check now.

jdoucet93 · October 30th, 2011, 05:39 PM

If it was in gear you wouldn't be able to turn it by hand either.

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 05:42 PM

Yeah...it's in neutral...and the resistance I felt has drastically decreased ever since II loosened the axle nut, but it's still there. Has the same feeling as pushing your finger into a extra crunchy peanut butter....I can revolve it, but there's something in the way. I'll take a closer look as soon as I remove the whole wheel...now going to tackle the bolts holding the brake caliper...
Thanks again guys for being on this tumultuous journey with me.

choneofakind · October 30th, 2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdoucet93

If it was in gear you wouldn't be able to turn it by hand either.

yes you can. If you can turn over the engine with a socket wrench to do a valve adjustment, turning the wheel will also turn the engine. It will just take some oomph. He said it took some force, so it was a valid question. Leaving it in gear was something that could be easily over-looked and just as easily remedied.

jdoucet93 · October 30th, 2011, 05:49 PM

good point... Sorry.

greatwhiteninja · October 30th, 2011, 05:56 PM

if your having that hard of a time taking the axle nut off just wait till you put the tire back on lol! trying to line the brake caliper up while keeping the washers in on each side is a pita!! then adjusting the chain. but usually you remove the nut side first then just smack the axle through with a mallot or something.. should take all of 3mins

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 05:59 PM

Figured out the problem...I should be ashamed but since you guys were racking your brains trying to help me out, I would have done you guys a disservice if I remained silent...
the way I placed my rear stand is the culprit....to be specific, the two rubber supports holding my bike upright, well one of them is contacting one of the bolts on the rear sprocket whilst I'm rotating it.
here's a pic....

so ashamed...

choneofakind · October 30th, 2011, 06:01 PM

haha DOH!! That's a good thing though. No need to worry about anything on the bike now

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 06:05 PM

Yeah..pew!...sweat off my forehead.
I'm going to lower the bike and re-align the rear stand....since I haven't taken the axle out, it should be ok to still lower the bike right? (the only things I've taken off are the axle nut and it's washer...the axle is still in place)

greatwhiteninja · October 30th, 2011, 06:08 PM

yeah it will be fine..

EthioKnight · October 30th, 2011, 06:10 PM

I can't thank you enough guys...I really, REALLY appreciate your company (virtual) and help. THANK YOU!

greatwhiteninja · October 30th, 2011, 06:15 PM

after cycle gear wouldnt change my stock 130 tire to a 150, i went home.. pulled the wheel off, yanked the tire off the rim.. and reinstalled the new tire..loL! ive been there and done it all with the rear tire/wheel assembly :0

CZroe · October 30th, 2011, 10:18 PM

That looks like a fork stand for the front.

Anyway, I've found mine ridiculously tight on two occasions. On one occasion I literally picked up the entire bike by the axle nut! It took blows to ultimately break it loose.

Somehow, it seems to get tighter over time.

Mountain Dew · October 30th, 2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

Somehow, it seems to get tighter over time.

Be happy it didn't get looser over time

CZroe · October 30th, 2011, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain Dew

Be happy it didn't get looser over time

The cotter pin would be my guardian angel.

HKr1 · October 31st, 2011, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CZroe

That looks like a fork stand for the front.

Does look a little scary

EthioKnight · October 31st, 2011, 06:42 AM

It's a cheap ass REAR stand I got off of ebay...I know it's not top notch, but I'm using it till I can save enough to get one of the good ones. (I've been prioritizing gear over tools...).
Peace.

CZroe · October 31st, 2011, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EthioKnight

It's a cheap ass REAR stand I got off of ebay...I know it's not top notch, but I'm using it till I can save enough to get one of the good ones. (I've been prioritizing gear over tools...).
Peace.

Well, someone seems to have equipped it with front fork adapters because those are not paddles or forks to interface with spools.

FWIW, this is a good thing. I'm sure they'll work as well as paddles but you might want to widen them a bit.

Harbor Freight sells one with paddles but also sells optional fork adapters to convert it from a rear stand to a front stand. The front fork adapters look exactly like those except they are attached to square-shaped bars that they dangle from.

DaBlue1 · October 31st, 2011, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greatwhiteninja

if your having that hard of a time taking the axle nut off just wait till you put the tire back on lol! trying to line the brake caliper up while keeping the washers in on each side is a pita!! then adjusting the chain. but usually you remove the nut side first then just smack the axle through with a mallot or something.. should take all of 3mins

Reinstalling can be made a little easier if you reverse the axle. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...92&postcount=4

There is one left hand nut on the bike that goes unnoticed. It is the Front Tie-Rod Locknut

rockNroll · October 31st, 2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Reinstalling can be made a little easier if you reverse the axle. http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...92&postcount=4

This will make things much easier. I have reversed the axle on many of my bikes over the years, to make installation easier. Including the 250

EthioKnight · October 31st, 2011, 07:33 PM

Thanks guys,
I'll definitely reverse the axle when installing. Had my tire ( I decided to go with a stock 130 for now) mounted and balanced for $20 at a local tire shop (felt good about that deal).
Anyway, thanks again to all who have chimed in and helped.
This is a GREAT forum and I'm glad to be a part of it.
Peace.

EthioKnight · November 1st, 2011, 07:25 AM

Hey there guys,
Quick question, I am getting ready to install my rear tire but I just noticed that the tire was mounted in the 'reverse' direction...the arrow with "rotation" on it is not pointing in the right direction, but reversed. Is this such a big deal?
Thanks.

jdoucet93 · November 1st, 2011, 07:57 AM

Well I mean there's a reason why the tread on the tire doesn't look the same from the front and the back... It's designed to work properly when moving the proper direction. Even if it might never cause a problem for you, if you did pay to have the tire mounted, bring it back and make them fix it. For free.

EthioKnight · November 1st, 2011, 08:19 AM

ahh...ok, I guess that's the safest way to go...just can't wait to start riding, tired of drooling on my standing bike.

Alex · November 1st, 2011, 09:16 AM

I'd have them re-do it. If they were careless enough to mount it backwards, how much attention did they pay while mounting and balancing it.

EthioKnight · November 1st, 2011, 12:14 PM

@Alex...you make a valid point man. You see, I had assumed that the tire had been balanced when I saw him (guy who mounted it) revolve the tire around the mounting machine a couple of times after it had been mounted and inflated...now, I'm not so sure. Anyway, I did call them and the guy was nice enough as to tell me to come right on over and get the tire fixed (I'm assuming, again, that he meant for 'free')

Now, I'll be sure to ask if they can balance it. The tire shop deals exclusively with car tires and when I called them initially the guy said he had done a motorcycle tire once in the past and that he could hook me up for $20, so I couldn't resist. (the closest deal was a moto shop that was 15 minutes away and charging $45).
I know I'm a cheap bastard, but even if they can't balance the tire, I think I run across a DIY youtube video of balancing a tire propped on two bar seats. ?
Anyway, heading over to the shop...fingers crossed.

CZroe · November 1st, 2011, 12:38 PM

The tread wioll not be able to move water and maintain grip, for one thing.

GateKeeper · November 1st, 2011, 12:44 PM

so the auto store did your motorcycle tire install, and mounted it the wrong way, they didn't balance it either so it seems, no your going to go back and have them do it again, they still won't balance it, or so it seems. So your going to do this yourself ? you need the correct weights, and the plastic hammer, if you use a steel one and hit the rim you will damage it.....

In all honesty, I think the shop that is 15 minutes away, and was charging you 45 bucks would probably have been the quickest, and cheapest route to take.....and it would have been done more than likely the correct way the first time.

ohh by the way, did the shop your going to now change the rubber valve as well, they should....

just my 2 cents.....YMMV

October 30th, 2011, 05:56 PM	#18
greatwhiteninja Ridin Dirty Name: Ed Location: Delaware Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 white se 250r , 2008 zx6R Posts: 921	if your having that hard of a time taking the axle nut off just wait till you put the tire back on lol! trying to line the brake caliper up while keeping the washers in on each side is a pita!! then adjusting the chain. but usually you remove the nut side first then just smack the axle through with a mallot or something.. should take all of 3mins __________________________________________________ #1

October 30th, 2011, 06:08 PM	#22
greatwhiteninja Ridin Dirty Name: Ed Location: Delaware Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 white se 250r , 2008 zx6R Posts: 921	yeah it will be fine.. __________________________________________________ #1

October 30th, 2011, 06:15 PM	#24
greatwhiteninja Ridin Dirty Name: Ed Location: Delaware Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 white se 250r , 2008 zx6R Posts: 921	after cycle gear wouldnt change my stock 130 tire to a 150, i went home.. pulled the wheel off, yanked the tire off the rim.. and reinstalled the new tire..loL! ive been there and done it all with the rear tire/wheel assembly :0 __________________________________________________ #1

November 1st, 2011, 09:16 AM	#37
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I'd have them re-do it. If they were careless enough to mount it backwards, how much attention did they pay while mounting and balancing it. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Stupid noob question from a non-noob	LNasty	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	13	March 21st, 2015 10:47 PM
Noob Tire question	Harrison89	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	7	July 29th, 2012 06:07 PM
Airbox removal + Kleen air removal?	MikeBudd	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	6	February 16th, 2012 04:57 PM
Noob ... Tire sizes	johnjohn	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	12	July 19th, 2010 03:02 PM
Rear Stand Noob question.	Cab305	Off-Topic	10	April 21st, 2010 07:27 PM

October 30th, 2011, 05:03 PM	#2
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	as far as I know, I haven't heard anything about kawasaki using "reverse torque" anything on the 250

October 30th, 2011, 05:06 PM	#3
jdoucet93 ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Lafayette Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 R6 Posts: 509	hmm... never seen this problem before. I usually use a breaker bar on the larger nut and have someone else hold the wrench on the other side. It always works. There aren't any reverse thread bolts on our bikes. At least none that I know of. I know I torque my axle bolt down to 80 foot-pounds. Who was the last person to do maintenance on your rear tire?

October 30th, 2011, 05:09 PM	#4
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	The bike has only 799 miles, as far as I know, the previous owner never touched the rear wheel (stock tire)...so, NO, no one has touched it before. I have applied some WD-40 and am waiting for it to...work it's magic before I try again. .... Oh!...and thanks for the responses guys.

October 30th, 2011, 05:12 PM	#5
jdoucet93 ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Lafayette Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 R6 Posts: 509	another thing is to make sure you are using the box end of the wrench and not the crescent end. The box end is the one that is fully enclosed and has lots of "teeth". This will keep you from farking up the bolt and nut.

October 30th, 2011, 05:15 PM	#6
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	yup...that's what I'm using...still no gain. Any idea on why the tire is only rotating 1/3 or so of the way...there is some sort of a resistance, but I can make it rotate fully if I push it (haven't done so though). ...

October 30th, 2011, 05:21 PM	#7
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	!!!!! (so so so ecstatic!) I DID IT!....The b!tch finally turned!....turns out it need a bit of wd-40. May this be a lesson to all (well...not all...just helpless noobs like moi)....wd-40! THANK YOU SO MUCH, Josh, Chris...and anybody who viewed but was shy...thanks!

October 30th, 2011, 05:31 PM	#8
jdoucet93 ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Lafayette Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 R6 Posts: 509	honestly, that has me completely baffled. The only possible thing it could be would be your swing arm binding. Which actually makes sense. Because it would bind like that if the axle nut was tightened down too much. Which would also make it extremely difficult to remove the nut. The only other thing I can think is that your chain is binding somewhere. Check the tension while you're working back there. You should have about an inch and a quarter - an inch and a half of play half way between the front and rear sprockets (bottom of the chain). Link to original page on YouTube.

October 30th, 2011, 05:33 PM	#9
jdoucet93 ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Lafayette Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 R6 Posts: 509	awesome! Glad you got it! You should go back to harbor freight and invest in one of their torque wrenches. I have two of them. On that does from like 5-20 foot-pounds and another that does 20-150 foot pounds. They will make your life so much easier later down the road. I got them for like 35. The smaller one was I think $12 and the larger like $17. Really a great deal if you ask me.

October 30th, 2011, 05:36 PM	#10
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	dumb question about the wheel not turning. The bike isn't in gear is it? I know it seems too simple to be the issue, but the simple things are easiest to check

October 30th, 2011, 05:37 PM	#11
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	Thanks brother. I already have a torque wrench (a cheap Chinese make I got from Dolla general 10-150lbs I think), but I'll do as you recommend. Thanks again for your help man, I really appreciate it.

October 30th, 2011, 05:38 PM	#12
jdoucet93 ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Lafayette Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 R6 Posts: 509	Anytime, bro!

October 30th, 2011, 05:39 PM	#14
jdoucet93 ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Lafayette Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 R6 Posts: 509	If it was in gear you wouldn't be able to turn it by hand either.

October 30th, 2011, 05:42 PM	#15
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	Yeah...it's in neutral...and the resistance I felt has drastically decreased ever since II loosened the axle nut, but it's still there. Has the same feeling as pushing your finger into a extra crunchy peanut butter....I can revolve it, but there's something in the way. I'll take a closer look as soon as I remove the whole wheel...now going to tackle the bolts holding the brake caliper... Thanks again guys for being on this tumultuous journey with me.

October 30th, 2011, 05:49 PM	#17
jdoucet93 ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Lafayette Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 R6 Posts: 509	good point... Sorry.

October 30th, 2011, 06:01 PM	#20
choneofakind ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: . Location: . Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much. MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14	haha DOH!! That's a good thing though. No need to worry about anything on the bike now

October 30th, 2011, 06:05 PM	#21
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	Yeah..pew!...sweat off my forehead. I'm going to lower the bike and re-align the rear stand....since I haven't taken the axle out, it should be ok to still lower the bike right? (the only things I've taken off are the axle nut and it's washer...the axle is still in place)

October 30th, 2011, 06:10 PM	#23
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	I can't thank you enough guys...I really, REALLY appreciate your company (virtual) and help. THANK YOU!

October 30th, 2011, 10:18 PM	#25
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	That looks like a fork stand for the front. Anyway, I've found mine ridiculously tight on two occasions. On one occasion I literally picked up the entire bike by the axle nut! It took blows to ultimately break it loose. Somehow, it seems to get tighter over time.

October 31st, 2011, 06:42 AM	#29
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	It's a cheap ass REAR stand I got off of ebay...I know it's not top notch, but I'm using it till I can save enough to get one of the good ones. (I've been prioritizing gear over tools...). Peace.

October 31st, 2011, 07:33 PM	#33
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	Thanks guys, I'll definitely reverse the axle when installing. Had my tire ( I decided to go with a stock 130 for now) mounted and balanced for $20 at a local tire shop (felt good about that deal). Anyway, thanks again to all who have chimed in and helped. This is a GREAT forum and I'm glad to be a part of it. Peace.

November 1st, 2011, 07:25 AM	#34
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	Hey there guys, Quick question, I am getting ready to install my rear tire but I just noticed that the tire was mounted in the 'reverse' direction...the arrow with "rotation" on it is not pointing in the right direction, but reversed. Is this such a big deal? Thanks.

November 1st, 2011, 07:57 AM	#35
jdoucet93 ninjette.org sage Name: Josh Location: Lafayette Louisiana Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 R6 Posts: 509	Well I mean there's a reason why the tread on the tire doesn't look the same from the front and the back... It's designed to work properly when moving the proper direction. Even if it might never cause a problem for you, if you did pay to have the tire mounted, bring it back and make them fix it. For free.

November 1st, 2011, 08:19 AM	#36
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	ahh...ok, I guess that's the safest way to go...just can't wait to start riding, tired of drooling on my standing bike.

November 1st, 2011, 12:14 PM	#38
EthioKnight Super Noob Name: Alex Location: Mobile, AL Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): '09 Kawasaki Ninja 250R, '84 Honda Spree 50cc Posts: A lot.	@Alex...you make a valid point man. You see, I had assumed that the tire had been balanced when I saw him (guy who mounted it) revolve the tire around the mounting machine a couple of times after it had been mounted and inflated...now, I'm not so sure. Anyway, I did call them and the guy was nice enough as to tell me to come right on over and get the tire fixed (I'm assuming, again, that he meant for 'free') Now, I'll be sure to ask if they can balance it. The tire shop deals exclusively with car tires and when I called them initially the guy said he had done a motorcycle tire once in the past and that he could hook me up for $20, so I couldn't resist. (the closest deal was a moto shop that was 15 minutes away and charging $45). I know I'm a cheap bastard, but even if they can't balance the tire, I think I run across a DIY youtube video of balancing a tire propped on two bar seats. ? Anyway, heading over to the shop...fingers crossed.

November 1st, 2011, 12:38 PM	#39
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	The tread wioll not be able to move water and maintain grip, for one thing.

November 1st, 2011, 12:44 PM	#40
GateKeeper ninjette.org member Name: Dan Location: Mississauga Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 250 Ninja - Soon Posts: 96	so the auto store did your motorcycle tire install, and mounted it the wrong way, they didn't balance it either so it seems, no your going to go back and have them do it again, they still won't balance it, or so it seems. So your going to do this yourself ? you need the correct weights, and the plastic hammer, if you use a steel one and hit the rim you will damage it..... In all honesty, I think the shop that is 15 minutes away, and was charging you 45 bucks would probably have been the quickest, and cheapest route to take.....and it would have been done more than likely the correct way the first time. ohh by the way, did the shop your going to now change the rubber valve as well, they should.... just my 2 cents.....YMMV