Car Tire

hootmon · November 07, 2009, 10:27:37 AM

Quote from: BA on November 07, 2009, 10:19:21 AM
As a last resort, you could always spray some starter fluid inside the tire and seat it with a match.

Tried it.. Not nearly enough!!!

lragan · November 07, 2009, 06:53:11 PM

Hoot, you were right on the pressure to seat the beads. I noticed that the cautions on the tire label said not to exceed 40 psi, including to seat the beads, so I used a tire chuck with a lock on it, set the tire waaaay out there in the driveway, got out a looooonnng air hose, and slowly increased the pressure at the regulator. At 100 psi, I heard a "pop" -- OK, it is done, says I. So I backed off the pressure, retrieved the tire, and let the air out -- only to see that the other side had not seated. So, back we go for a second bite of the explosive apple. At 115 psi, the second pop occured.

You were right on the weights, too. I rigged up the "poor man's static balance system" shown in the picture, and sure enough, the valve stem, with the weights adjacent quickly rolled to the bottom. After removing both weights, it still rolls the valve stem down, just not as fast. Maybe the red dot was supposed to go opposite the valve stem?

In any case, the conclusion I draw from this simple experiment is that the MC tire was seriously out of balance. I would expect the wheel without any tire to wind up valve stem down (wish I had thought to try this before I mounted the dark side tire!) so the car tire is probably pretty close all by itself. I will put the dyna beads in tomorrow or later next week, and then put both wheels with new tires back on the bike.

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hootmon · November 07, 2009, 07:38:31 PM

You may have read this.. But I'll reiterate.. The best way I have found to get the beads in is to use a baster of some type (I used a Radiator fluid testor).. Put some beads in a clear tube (which is fitted over the valve stem) then use the baster to pump the beads up and down, withing a few pumps all the beads are in, refill the tube and repeat..

I also used a long hose and a clip type air chuck and hid behind a small wall..
Go ahead.. Call me chicken..

lragan · November 07, 2009, 08:01:43 PM

No, Hoot, I call you wise.

Not sure what pressure is generated with the explosion method, and I would wager a beer that none of these brave souls that use that method do, either.

Thanks for the hint on inserting beads. I was thinking something like that. I am sure I can find the correct tubing and a baster, empty mustard squirter, honey container, something. Shouldn't be too hard -- my wife is out of town

Not sure if the money I have saved is worth the effort I have put into it. But, should I ever try to do it again, I think it will be somewhat easier. It was easier to get the new tire on the rim than getting the old tire off, that's for sure.

Can't wait to see how it rides...

hootmon · November 07, 2009, 09:27:23 PM

Quote from: lragan on November 07, 2009, 08:01:43 PM

Can't wait to see how it rides...

Start out with about 45 PSI.. You can ease off to about 40 PSI if you like a little later. The extra pressure makes the tire a little stiffer in the corners, and you will need that to start with...
If you haven't ridden a Car Tire before, it will feel squirrelly in the corners for a while. The back end swings out a little.. It will take a couple of weeks to get used to it for sure..
Venture to say, the back end has never slipped even a little, so just know that it feels different, takes a little more input to the handle bars and watch for height differences (re-asphalting) the edge of the tire can catch and give you a little wigglesworth..

TLRam1 · November 08, 2009, 02:34:49 AM

I missed your ordeal Lawrence, busy lately, yes I do have RuGlyde here as Hoot mentioned. Another guy who installs tires on bikes, way over 200 + for others swears by RuGlyde.

lragan · November 12, 2009, 05:30:03 PM

Well, Terry, thanks for the kind words. A week on, it doesn't seem so bad. A learning experience, for sure. Now that I have done it once and own the proper tools, maybe it will be easier next time.

I finally got the bike back on the ground this afternoon, and, of course, took it for a ride. I had put in about 1 oz of dynabeads. I love the smooth ride. I have never ridden a bike at highway speeds as smooth as this one. Of course, I changed the front tire at the same time (had it mounted by Cycle Gear--mount and balance for $20, you must take them the wheel), so I can't be absolutely positive about which change caused this pleasant result, but color me happy with it.

I started with about 38 psi (I did not come inside to look up Hoot's recommendation, and couldn't remember what it was). I cornered very gently, as I have yet to sand the mold release off the front tire, and was not anxious to push my luck with either tire. More on that later.

So, in retrospect, perhaps it was all worth it:

1) lower cost
2) looks cool
3) smooth as a silk

TLRam1 · November 12, 2009, 05:58:34 PM

and the mileage will make you smile!

lragan · November 12, 2009, 06:27:05 PM

Better mileage?

Gee, I would have thought that wind resistance was the biggest hindrance to mileage, not rolling friction. Maybe I am in for a pleasant surprise. I just filled up today, the first time since I redid the carbs, and got 45 mpg. If the car tire ups it any noticeable amount, I will be in the 50 mpg range. Not bad.

hootmon · November 12, 2009, 07:43:46 PM

Quote from: lragan on November 12, 2009, 06:27:05 PM
Better mileage?

Gee, I would have thought that wind resistance was the biggest hindrance to mileage, not rolling friction. Maybe I am in for a pleasant surprise. I just filled up today, the first time since I redid the carbs, and got 45 mpg. If the car tire ups it any noticeable amount, I will be in the 50 mpg range. Not bad.

I recently cleaned my K&N, added a shim and put on a car tire..
I'm not sure which one, or a combination, but I used to get a solid 40MPG and now I get a solid 48MPG..
I really don't know why.. But I'm happy!!!

TLRam1 · November 12, 2009, 08:48:06 PM

Yea, that's what I was talking about.....what I meant was the other mileage........ out of the tire.

lragan · November 12, 2009, 09:54:44 PM

OK, I get it now.

Just a little dense down here in Austin.

I would expect the tread to last longer, as there is more rubber on the road most of the time.

Just another factor of lower cost that I had not considered.

TLRam1 · November 13, 2009, 02:25:18 AM

Quote from: lragan on November 12, 2009, 09:54:44 PM
OK, I get it now.

Just a little dense down here in Austin.

Florida too.

Quote from: lragan on November 12, 2009, 09:54:44 PM
OK, I get it now.

Just another factor of lower cost that I had not considered.

Mileage of the tire or MPG?

Give us your impression once you ride as you normally do. Hoot, myself and Robert has discussed this extensively via PM's.

hootmon · November 13, 2009, 05:03:11 AM

Quote from: TLRam1 on November 13, 2009, 02:25:18 AM
Quote from: lragan on November 12, 2009, 09:54:44 PM
OK, I get it now.

Just a little dense down here in Austin.

Florida too.

Hey - IF Lawrence and I both misunderstood.. then it must have been the transmitter, not the receivers!!

Len Averyt · November 13, 2009, 09:48:30 PM

I'm having great milage out of my car tire. Looks like new!
I have right at 12K+ on it as of today.
Correction I have 6K+ on the tire

QuoteI also used a long hose and a clip type air chuck and hid behind a small wall..
Go ahead.. Call me chicken..

I did the same thing took 120PSI to get my tire to seat. I was a nervous wreck by the time the last seat popped

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