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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Rear tire Scuff
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Message started by Arizuno on 02/27/12 at 14:12:11

Title: Rear tire Scuff
Post by Arizuno on 02/27/12 at 14:12:11

PO semi-permanently installed saddlebags over OEM 'bag guards. Removal of the 'bags reveals a problem they'd obscured: the tire is evidently rubbing against the guard mount bolts, enough to have shaved a few hundredths off the ridge where tread meets sidewall. (FWIW, that tire is a Dunlop (D404) 140/90 70H, also put there by the PO at less than 1300 miles (?)).

I tried searching the forum for similar reports, haven't found anything. So - why would this contact be occuring? There isn't much space in that neighborhood, of course, but evidently others using these guards haven't had any problem. Were longer, non stock bolts used to accomodate the guards? Is something else amiss?

Thanks, and if I can be more vague, just let me know...

Title: Re: Rear tire Scuff
Post by MotoBuddha on 02/27/12 at 14:19:48

Isn't the stock size tire narrower?

Title: Re: Rear tire Scuff
Post by arteacher on 02/27/12 at 14:25:29

1/4" longer bolts are used to accommodate the guards. Stock tire size for the rear is 140/80-15, so there's your problem. Round head bolts might solve the problem, or you could counter sink the guards to accommodate flat head bolts, if you want to keep the oversized tire.

Title: Re: Rear tire Scuff
Post by Arizuno on 02/27/12 at 15:30:06

darn it! MotoBudda and arteacher are both right. I just (re)checked the owner's manual, which I was evidently incapable of reading correctly yesterday, and, indeed, the stocker is 140/80. Those 10mm are important! I'll start working on Plan B.

But that brings up a point: What effect, if any, would the wider tire have on handling?

Title: Re: Rear tire Scuff
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 02/27/12 at 17:57:25

Right up till the bolt heads eat thru, not much..

Title: Re: Rear tire Scuff
Post by Savage_Rob on 02/27/12 at 20:36:44

Do two things. First, replace the mounting bolts with stainless mushroom head allen bolts. Next, raise your shock presets. That's all you really need to do. My Dunlop 491 is the same size. I did the same. Later I put 12.5” Progressive shocks on and it has all kinds of clearance now.

Title: Re: Rear tire Scuff
Post by MotoBuddha on 02/29/12 at 11:15:02

1022352224261C112C21430 wrote:

Do two things. First, replace the mounting bolts with stainless mushroom head allen bolts.

Or get out the grinder and shorten the bolts he has.

Title: Re: Rear tire Scuff
Post by Boofer on 03/01/12 at 19:31:56

0F3C27343B20214E0 wrote:

Actually the 10mm difference is in the aspect ratio, which means that the sidewall height is 90% of the tread width. Many on here run 140mm (section width) 90 (aspect ratio) 15 (rim size) tires with no problems or alterations. The most reported problem is rubbing the bolt heads holding the sissy bar brackets. Serowbot also says running the taller tire helps correct an optomistic speedometer. Check to see that your belt guard is on straight and your tire is lined up right. Something is definitely wrong, but I doubt tire size is the problem. :)

Title: Re: Rear tire Scuff
Post by Savage_Rob on 03/02/12 at 08:52:30

It is the size. The stock tire barely cleared with the saddlebag supports installed. The Dunlop 404 or 491 will rub slightly on the left side. If the saddlebag supports are removed, it will not rub. Otherwise, switching the bolts to mushroom-head allen bolts (I prefer stainless) allows it to barely clear but raising the shock preset helps a bit more. You could take MotoBuddha's suggestion and grind down the heads of the bolts but I already hate getting a wrench on these while the tire is on. The thinner grip surface would just piss me off. I went with the mushroom-head allens and they're fairly easy to access.