Well crazyfeller, I mean oldfeller - you're going to end an inspiration to us all.

Cocker Tire seems to have about the best prices and selection as well as the most reasonable shipping costs so far that I've seen. I'll know in the morning about the BFG 155 TA and will let ya'll know the deal. If not available, I'm leaning towards the 145 Firestone. I'm going to be trying for the tallest tire I can get under the fender for gas mileage don't ya know. With my longer shocks I'm sure I've ample clearance.

The down low view of the car tire on the bike in one of gort's links is pretty impressive. Tread face to highway flat and in the turns looks huge. Maybe my rear brakes will actually be useful now.

I'm all excited. After this tire thing I only need to change the front brakes, change the brake fluid, do something about the fork oil, open up and check the cam chain adjuster, do oldfeller's air filter mod, lube my speedo cable, find the rattle from my windshield . . . Oh the opportunities awaiting me.

Jack

Anybody know anything about the reputation of these tires?

http://www.vredesteintire.com/

They have all the sizes we could ever be interested in for bikes. They have great prices. And the tires look great with a wide variety of tread designs. and I thought this decision was going to be an easy one to implement.

Jack

Jack_650 wrote on 08/25/08 at 08:42:15:


Sure, not now...but in 5 or 6 years, who knows?  

No packaging no wrapping How do you check the contents for damage when there isn't any?

Jack_650 wrote on 08/28/08 at 11:48:35:


Got mine today as well...and a good set of tire irons!  

I'm debating whether to do the job right away or wait until winter...

We wanna see pics ... and of course a write-up of your Darkside mounting and test Ride adventures ... please!

Ah shucks, I'm either doing something wrong or living very, very right. It was harder getting that old flat bottom Dunlop off the rim than it was getting the new BFG onto it. No lost skin, no tattered knuckles, no nasty language. Put in a new tube 'cause who knows how long it'll be until that suckers comes off again. And you were right, there's a lot of air goes in to pop that second bead into place. It's sitting off the bike overnight to keep it there until tomorrow. Then I'll drop it back to normal and see how that goes.

Tools used:
  My trusty pail of very dish soapy water and a paint brush
  A big, long, blade, screw driver
  My well seasoned car brake adjusting tool

I suppose in a year or so I'll be looking for a new front tire. Now to start thinking about a radial that'll be a performance/handling match for the back. Any suggestions?

You're also right about getting pictures taken during the job at hand. But since I don't have all the fancy garage gear that a lot of you do or the room to use it in, I've come up with a system of getting the back of the bike up and keeping the bike balanced and stable for doing the work that I think could be of use to others. I will take a couple of pix of the set-up for those with limited resources and/or space. I suppose I'll add them to my BikePics site since I still haven't figured out how to add them into the post.

Jack

p.s.     When I was pulling the wheel of the back I found there was a nail in the tire. Went in at the edge of the tread face and angled outwards through a bit of the sidewall, missing entering the tire/and tube. It had been there for a while too. Almost missed it even when I had my face right up close and personal. Guess I'll be a bit more observant when I do those little pre-trip checks like they taught us to do back when driving truck.