140 80 17 tires

[tfkrocks]

I've gotten cheap tires from here: http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php

I'll also give another vote for the Pilot Street Radial. Initial cost is more but more economical in the long run.

[LittleRedNinjette]

I may regret this....

BUT, don't give up. You'll get there. Just listen to all the advise you get here. Most of us know what we're talking about anyway...

If someone can confirm the newgen 250 and 300 swing arms are the same you could run a 160/60. ONLY if someone can confirm that. I have not do the research on it yet.

I loved that size. With a 120/60 front.

Anywho. Good luck and be safe.

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by JohnnyBravo

It sucks when you make a mistake and learn a lesson, but it a fact of life that these things do happen now and then.

Most everybody around here had a knee down pic at one time or another... On Kid toys, playground equipment, chairs, bikes, bout anything you can imagine... ethioKnight (that was one cool cat, but before my time, look for his scooter video!) may have started it, some still do it, it's always fun!

He was the first to do it, the rest did it as a memorial after he was killed.

[DaBlue1]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

..... will 140/70 fit? Anyone know? How easy is it to change the tire your self?

This info is probably a little late but good to know for others who are looking to go bigger.

Review: Bridgestone Battlax BT-45 140/70-17 and 120/70-17

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by Whiskey

He was the first to do it, the rest did it as a memorial after he was killed.

Thanks, I knew it was something like that.
He was a bit before my time here, but when I first joined I looked up most of his posts, it's been a while... RIP

[choneofakind]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

I AM GOING TO LEARN TO DRAG KNEE ON THIS STOOL IF IT TAKES ALLLLLLLLL NIGHT!! *scoot scoot* no more *vroom vroom* xD

[Alex]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

if im reading this right it does say 2-3mm

Forgive me, but are you measuring the width or the depth? How much of a penny (or a dime, or any small circular object of your choice) can you put in that divot, and how much still shows? It looks way more than 2-3mm deep, but it's hard to tell with an unfocused picture showing a portion of the inch side of the measuring tape. Also, I doubt that it is a completely consistent depth all the way around the tire. As the rear suspension compresses and extends while riding over bumps and different surfaces, a different portion of the tire will be interfering with the swingarm at different times. A significant bump/extension might cause it to be deeper at a specific point, which is exactly what you don't want if you're trying to keep the tire from, well, completely failing.

All that said - there is no legitimate debate at this point. The tire is significantly compromised. You have no idea how it would behave when leaned over and significant side forces are applied to the tread that you've now split in half. Looking at the static picture of how close the tire is to the swingarm, this should have been obvious before putting any miles on the tire.



To be fair, I would have hoped the shop would have pointed out that this wasn't a particularly good idea. But they deal with customers all day who want silly things done, and you'd already bought the tire, so they squeezed it on and called it a day.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by Alex

Forgive me, but are you measuring the width or the depth? How much of a penny (or a dime, or any small circular object of your choice) can you put in that divot, and how much still shows? It looks way more than 2-3mm deep, but it's hard to tell with an unfocused picture showing a portion of the inch side of the measuring tape. Also, I doubt that it is a completely consistent depth all the way around the tire. As the rear suspension compresses and extends while riding over bumps and different surfaces, a different portion of the tire will be interfering with the swingarm at different times. A significant bump/extension might cause it to be deeper at a specific point, which is exactly what you don't want if you're trying to keep the tire from, well, completely failing.

All that said - there is no legitimate debate at this point. The tire is significantly compromised. You have no idea how it would behave when leaned over and significant side forces are applied to the tread that you've now split in half. Looking at the static picture of how close the tire is to the swingarm, this should have been obvious before putting any miles on the tire.



To be fair, I would have hoped the shop would have pointed out that this wasn't a particularly good idea. But they deal with customers all day who want silly things done, and you'd already bought the tire, so they squeezed it on and called it a day.

Wait were you talking about the width xD no wonder there was misscomunication

[Alex]

No, I was talking about the depth. The way you were holding the measuring tape made me wonder what you were measuring.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by Alex

No, I was talking about the depth. The way you were holding the measuring tape made me wonder what you were measuring.

Oh no, I put the measure tape and the bottom on my "hole" it looks bigger because its a v shape and not a straight up and down

[SLOWn60]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

Oh no, I put the measure tape and the bottom on my "hole" it looks bigger because its a v shape and not a straight up and down

....I'm putting duct tape on my hole!

[ZeroGravity360]

Math labs, kittens, not sex references... We are all doomed...

[RacinNinja]

Seriously, you have someone willing to sell you a set (pair) of really good tires known to fit for $100 and even a local offer.

I'd be jumping on that like a pig into mud.

[Triple Jim]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

I cannot, for the life of me, get it to stop creaking whenever I hit things on the trail.

I had a road bike like that. Then I noticed the long but thin, hard to see cracks in the titanium. They were in the down tube where it meets the head tube.

But creaks can come from seat posts, seats, handlebars, and other non-bearing type parts.

[ZeroGravity360]

So my friend just informed me that Walmart will put a new tire on the rim for you for $5 a tire... O_o then all I would have to do is get someone to balance it. Much cheaper option..

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by RacinNinja

Seriously, you have someone willing to sell you a set (pair) of really good tires known to fit for $100 and even a local offer.

I'd be jumping on that like a pig into mud.

Again the problem is I would have to pay cash rather than a credit card. :-/ broke people problems

[tfkrocks]

Paypal does credit cards

[JohnnyBravo]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

Again the problem is I would have to pay cash rather than a credit card. :-/ broke people problems

He Said he would pay the guy cash and let you pay him paypal, if the other guy wouldn't do paypal

[Alex]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

So my friend just informed me that Walmart will put a new tire on the rim for you for $5 a tire... O_o then all I would have to do is get someone to balance it. Much cheaper option..

Do they have a motorcycle tire mount? Or were they talking about car tires?

[Sirref]

Originally Posted by RacinNinja

Seriously, you have someone willing to sell you a set (pair) of really good tires known to fit for $100 and even a local offer.

I'd be jumping on that like a pig into mud.

Seriously those tires are fantastic, I'd ride them all day every day on the streets. Those are the same tires I'm on in my avatar

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

So my friend just informed me that Walmart will put a new tire on the rim for you for $5 a tire... O_o then all I would have to do is get someone to balance it. Much cheaper option..

Three things.
1. I'd be more than a little sketched out to have walmart change my tires
2. Are you sure they meant motorcycle tires and not car tires?
3. Could this be a special that involves buying tires from them? (continuation of question #2)

[ZeroGravity360]

I think motorcycle tires. My friend worked there said that's where he brought his bike tires into be mounted then balanced it himself. I'm assuming they are kind of the same? I don't think my bike wheels are much larger rim size then my car. Yeah they are skinnier, but you get someone who knows how to properly use a machine, I don't think it's son issue. Even if they don't bead it, that parts easy.

[bruce71198]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

I think motorcycle tires. My friend worked there said that's where he brought his bike tires into be mounted then balanced it himself. I'm assuming they are kind of the same? I don't think my bike wheels are much larger rim size then my car. Yeah they are skinnier, but you get someone who knows how to properly use a machine, I don't think it's son issue. Even if they don't bead it, that parts easy.

Any car shop with an up to date tire machine can dismount and mount your motorcycle tires. They may not know it and might not be willing to try because they have never done it. If you check around someone will give it a shot. Balancing? Probably not. One thing I have noticed, with ll the tires I have done in the past, the weights frequently end up on the same area on the rim. In a pinch I have left the old weights on and not even balanced the new tire and haven't experienced any vibration. Also you can crudely balance your tire with your axle and wheel ONLY mounted up in the swing arm using stick on weights from the auto parts store. Let me know if I can help you out.

[csmith12]

If you can get the new tire by this weekend, you can have it changed for $20 at Putnam by people who do it for riders going 150mph, ie they know wtf they are doing. Plus you can hang out for a bit and watch. It don't cost anything to get in, just your sig on the release form at the gate.

DEW ET!

EDIT: No, I will not be there. You're a hour away right? Take the wheel off and cage it there please.

[bruce71198]

Originally Posted by csmith12

If you can get the new tire by this weekend, you can have it changed for $20 at Putnam by people who it for riders going 150mph, ie they know wtf they are doing. Plus you can hang out for a bit and watch. It don't cost anything to get in, just your sig on the release form at the gate.

DEW ET!

Putnams this weekend? CMRA?

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by bruce71198

Putnams this weekend? CMRA?

STT

[csmith12]

Just came back from the garage, have a 140/70 rosso II you can have. It will be good for about 2500ish streer miles.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by csmith12

Just came back from the garage, have a 140/70 rosso II you can have. It will be good for about 2500ish streer miles.

dear @csmith12,

You have been the most helpful and kind person I met...

Words cannot express how much you have saved me, helped me, set me straight and didnt say "told you so" when I failed.

Honestly this community on Ninjette.org makes me want to cry sometimes...

Did someone cut an onion in here?

[JohnnyBravo]

That's a good fellow right dere

[csmith12]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

You have been the most helpful and kind person I met...

I am not alone.... there are others.

[InvisiBill]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

If someone can confirm the newgen 250 and 300 swing arms are the same you could run a 160/60. ONLY if someone can confirm that. I have not do the research on it yet.

I loved that size. With a 120/60 front.

From what I've seen, the 250 and 300 swingarms are the same, other than minor accessory mounting differences (and the Gen2 500 is very, very similar). Don't forget that the 300 has a wider rear wheel than the 250 though.

A 120/60 front is also 10mm shorter than stock. That will make your speedo read faster, on top of any steering geometry changes.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by csmith12

I am not alone.... there are others.

Yes, very much so... even through my stubborn/prideful behavior

[InvisiBill]

Regarding having your tires mounted... A friend of mine from high school is a gearhead and worked at a tire shop. They do a lot of tractors and big trucks and stuff besides just passenger vehicles, but it's strictly a tire shop, as opposed to a garage that does tire work. I asked if he could do it, and he said he could, but if it were his bike he'd take it to an actual bike shop who had the setup for bike wheels.

So while anyone with the stuff to change a car tire may be able to, don't necessarily expect them to be familiar with bike tires. You may or may not have good results trusting a Walmart guy who can manage to install car tires. Keep in mind the results you got from an actual bike shop, and extrapolate that to someone who knows even less about bikes.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by InvisiBill

Regarding having your tires mounted... A friend of mine from high school is a gearhead and worked at a tire shop. They do a lot of tractors and big trucks and stuff besides just passenger vehicles, but it's strictly a tire shop, as opposed to a garage that does tire work. I asked if he could do it, and he said he could, but if it were his bike he'd take it to an actual bike shop who had the setup for bike wheels.

So while anyone with the stuff to change a car tire may be able to, don't necessarily expect them to be familiar with bike tires. You may or may not have good results trusting a Walmart guy who can manage to install car tires. Keep in mind the results you got from an actual bike shop, and extrapolate that to someone who knows even less about bikes.

Currently waiting on a response from our local scooter repair shop.. im sure they would know how to change it?

[subxero]

I do all of my own bike tires with minimal tools. Although I did spend a little cash for a small wheel holder/stand that has a lever for breaking the bead recently and it was worth every penny.

For you to change your own tire you would have to spend at least $20 for a cheap set of spoons, a few bucks for some weights, another $10 for some rim protectors and then find some creative way to break the bead that isn't a complete PITA and then actually mount the tire on the wheel. At the end of the day you would be out $35 in tools, your rim looking way worse than it already does, you'd have bloody knuckles and the tire still not mounted on the rim.

Get a friend who is capable and already has everything to do it for you or take it into a shop to get mounted and balanced.

There is a learning curve for changing tires and even then it is not the easiest thing to do.

[Triple Jim]

Ha, well, it's really not as hard as you think. The biggest trick is to keep the tire beads in the "drop center" section. That is, the part of the rim in the center, where the spokes are, where the diameter is smaller. If you keep the beads there, there's plenty of slack to get the tire over the rim edge in one area, and once you have that, you're pretty much home free. I usually have to stand on the tire with both feet to keep the beads together, and work on the bead across from where I'm standing.

If you let the beads spread and get out of the drop center, you will have the fight of your life, and have all the rim scars and bloody knuckles you described.

You also need to lube the edge of the tire, inside and out, with something slippery. I use a thin coat of undiluted dish detergent, but dedicated mounting lubes are really best.

For breaking the bead, there are many ways, including using the base of an old style car bumper jack, but I got a slide hammer bead breaker, and it makes quick work of everthing from motorcycle tires to the huge tires on my Ford 4000 tractor. If you don't like the price of this great tool, get someone to give it to you for Christmas.

The bead breaker:

[dcj13]

Careful with that front brake disk...

[Triple Jim]

Very true. All it takes is a couple short pieces of 2x4 to keep the edge of the rim and the disk off the garage floor.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by InvisiBill

From what I've seen, the 250 and 300 swingarms are the same, other than minor accessory mounting differences (and the Gen2 500 is very, very similar). Don't forget that the 300 has a wider rear wheel than the 250 though.

A 120/60 front is also 10mm shorter than stock. That will make your speedo read faster, on top of any steering geometry changes.

I thought so.

You are correct! I forgot about the change in speedo.

No handling issues when i did it. And i went with the 60 to keep it lower for my stubby self. It handled wonderfully so i think i made a good call. I had the pilot road 4s on it. Can't wait to get them again.

[subxero]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

Ha, well, it's really not as hard as you think. The biggest trick is to keep the tire beads in the "drop center" section. That is, the part of the rim in the center, where the spokes are, where the diameter is smaller. If you keep the beads there, there's plenty of slack to get the tire over the rim edge in one area, and once you have that, you're pretty much home free. I usually have to stand on the tire with both feet to keep the beads together, and work on the bead across from where I'm standing.

If you let the beads spread and get out of the drop center, you will have the fight of your life, and have all the rim scars and bloody knuckles you described.

You also need to lube the edge of the tire, inside and out, with something slippery. I use a thin coat of undiluted dish detergent, but dedicated mounting lubes are really best.

For breaking the bead, there are many ways, including using the base of an old style car bumper jack, but I got a slide hammer bead breaker, and it makes quick work of everthing from motorcycle tires to the huge tires on my Ford 4000 tractor. If you don't like the price of this great tool, get someone to give it to you for Christmas.

The bead breaker:

are you talking to me?

If so, then yes, it is not very hard in theory and I don't think it is hard as long as you have the right tools, some experience and know what you are doing. But for someone trying to change their own tire for the first time with next to no specific tools for the task, no experience other than watching some videos then yes it is going to be difficult for them

I find street tubeless tires to be quite quick and easy especially compared to mx bikes & tires with tubes and wheel locks

[JohnnyBravo]

I dot mind watching folks change tires, I have done it a few times myself; I don't ever plan to again