Rocket 3-officially Darkside

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

With Terry and John's help we got the Falken 452 on the rocket 3 classic rear today!
It was a fun time and the finished product is great. It took some sweat and muscle but ripped off the used one and man-handled the new one on the rim.
Started with 50 lbs but the ride was too stiff, reduced the air to 39 and it is great! Looks good to.
Robert got his magna darksided also.
Terry will post pictures I am sure.

[Jamtndll]

how did you balance, regular or with beads

[Magnum Magna]

I reused my old weight.  Bob had bought some new weights to put on the rim.

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

No dyna beads, just  weights, next time I will put them in.

[Jamtndll]

guess i will need to check out this dark side.  where can you find what size tire will fit your bike. 

[L J VFR]

Did you guys balance them by using the traditional method of putting on an anvil and finding the heavy spot and compensating, or did you use a spin up balancer while the wheel and tire was on the bike?   

[L J VFR]

Did you guys balance them by using the traditional method of putting on an anvil and finding the heavy spot and compensating, or did you use a spin up balancer while the wheel and tire was on the bike?   

Nevermind, seen the pictures on the other topic..

[Curtis_Valk]

Way to go, Bob.  I can't wait to see that big ol' car tire on the Rocket.

Curtis

[Gloveberg]

Ok, I know I'm not around much but when the hell did you get a Rocket III ?

[TLRam1]

Ok, I know I'm not around much but when the hell did you get a Rocket III ?

When he was slower than the other guy. 

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

Jimmy, here is the long version, sorry, 'back in November I replaced the chain and front sprocket, which required taking off the clutch cover assembly. Every time I did this in the past I never saw the little piece that goes between the clutch rod and the clutch part in the engine. Well, this time it fell out and I still did not see it or know about it. I put it all back together and I had no clutch pressure. I struggled with this issue for about four days without any success, could not figure out what was wrong. Jeff trailered (arghhhh!!) it to the dealership for me while my wife went to Houston with out me. The dealership said it would be about 3 days before they could look at it. Half way there she called me and said I deserved the bike I really wanted and to go ahead and get it so I would have something that is working. (I guess she saw that billboard on the I-75 south of Allen). Well, the Rocket was it so I checked what they had in Plano, a new one for $16K, the basic Rocket 3, and a used Rocket 3 Classic for $11.5K. I decided on the Classic.
Well the dealership took about 5 minutes to figure out the $5 part was missing and that it was on back order until December.
Greg had the part in an engine sitting around his garage so I took that down and rolled my bike out to the parking lot and fixed it myself and rode back home.
Now I am 'Rocket Man' (not the EJ song, but the movie).

[Gloveberg]

I don't know what impresses me more, the fact that you got a Rocket III or that the dealership didn't try to gouge you for a new clutch and anything else they could possibly tack on 

Congrats on the new bike Bob.  I can't say I agree with the car tire (no arguments please, it's just an opinion) but it's an awesome bike nonetheless.

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

Thanks, Jimmy. I understand and appreciate your understanding. I held the Magna banner high and still will. I could not understand why some went to the blvd, the vtx or the valk, but I still feel a twinge of uncertainty with this decision until I can get the Rocket on the twisties and do what I was able to do with the Magna.

[Jester]

heeeeeey  that vtx crack was aimed at me wasn't it!!!    I just wanted a bigger bike than Greg and Curtis v 

[Charles S Otwell]

You did say bigger, not faster right..