Hey guys, so I found out that my new 99 roadstar has 180/55-18 -- yup 18.

That was how I bought it (custom rims, but I'm pretty sure stock frame).

So discovered the hard way that this may not be so good when a passenger sits on the back -- and a groove gets cut into the tire from the inside frame.

The tire is not gone - but a very thin shallow groove was cut and the sliced off rubber is all around the bit of frame just inside the fender.

I'd hate to toss a brand new tire (it was new when I bought the bike last week), but if I have to go to a slimmer 18 I will.

The groove is only on the left side - the clearance is maybe 1/8-inch to little there for whatever reason (and I just yesterday got it back from yamaha who checked it all out - including rear brakes put on -- presumably they'd notice if there was something awful back there).

Any ideas on a quick fix?

Thanks!

Run your hand on the inside of the fender. I just bought a bike that had bolts that were too long to hold the fender eyebrows. Just a thought. You might need to swap out some bolts.

Tealw1 wrote:
Run your hand on the inside of the fender. I just bought a bike that had bolts that were too long to hold the fender eyebrows. Just a thought. You might need to swap out some bolts.I agree you were asking about sissy bar brackets, last you were on here check to see if the bolts our to long also check shock you can adjust stiffer for rear for two up information on how to adjust in manual look luck

stickplayer wrote:
Hey guys, so I found out that my new 99 roadstar has 180/55-18 -- yup 18.

That was how I bought it (custom rims, but I'm pretty sure stock frame).

So discovered the hard way that this may not be so good when a passenger sits on the back -- and a groove gets cut into the tire from the inside frame.

The tire is not gone - but a very thin shallow groove was cut and the sliced off rubber is all around the bit of frame just inside the fender.

I'd hate to toss a brand new tire (it was new when I bought the bike last week), but if I have to go to a slimmer 18 I will.

The groove is only on the left side - the clearance is maybe 1/8-inch to little there for whatever reason (and I just yesterday got it back from yamaha who checked it all out - including rear brakes put on -- presumably they'd notice if there was something awful back there).

Any ideas on a quick fix?

Thanks!

The problem is that the fender subframe profile does not fit the 55 tire. I think you can resolve this though. You can't change the subframe profile without a lot of custom work, but you can try to better align it with the tire. You can also check to be sure that the fender bolts aren't getting too far into tire territory. I am going to try and attach a picture of my last project bike with the subframe mounted so you can see what you are up against. This bike was lowered with the flip and had a 55 series 18" tire.

You can align the subframe by removing small amounts of material from the bolt hole area in the front, or by adding washers to the same area.

Nice picture, I am going to put a car tire on. I heard it fits and don't rub. Flipped out that a Car tire will fit and not the wider MC tire.

It's not whether it's a car or MC tire but the width of the tire.

9 or 10 times is the bolts ... grind then down. If not, then you neeed to remove some material from inside the subframe. Examine the inside of the subframe and you will see that there is plenty of material the can be removed without compromising safety.

Doc

In the end, there was just no way to keep a 180/18-inch on it without some damage. Went to a 170/60-18, and this, plus grinding off a couple millimeters from the left-side flange along the bolt mountings of the sub-frame, gives clearance all around.

I've reinstalled my leatherlykes with careful attention to bolt protrusion and did cut down one bolt. All looks ok now - bike looks fine, no more tire damage. Out about $500 bucks on two tires tho.

I've been running a 180/55 18 for years. Just bought another one last summer.

I have an air shock and can lower the bike right on the tire without the side rubbing. Just take a 'bit' of grinding on the subframe.

Doc

I'm not an uber-mechanic, so the putting on the 170/60 18 helped. Actually there is still some slight contact with a passenger on the back - the part of the left-side rear fender that is inset (the front/left part of the rear fender) actually took off a tiny bit of rubber from the widest part of the tire. Might have to cut that (and cut into a 6500 paint job )

I assume you mean the indent for the belt. Yes ...bummer.

I'd tell you to bend it out of the way a bit .... that's what I did but my dual setup fender hasn't been painted yet ..... but you may crease the paint.

Doc