Im running 40front 40 rear with Commander II's and yes my rear was like riding on ice for the first few miles. Im starting to get it scrubbed in now and starting to have some fun, but still being a bit cautious.

Rod

So, I FINALLY got around to checking this out. The squirrels finally got too annoying to ignore. Here's the result of my tire change in April. Today I decided to check the alignment, because I really thought that was the problem. Turns out it wasn't the problem. Alignment was almost perfect. Seems the real issue was the picture below (click for a larger version). That's how the tensioning bolt was left. It was wrenched down tight with the lock bolt, so it hadn't just backed off due to a non-tightened locking bolt..



So, I'm guessing that on the back roads, there really wasn't enough force to go out of alignment, however, on the highway, with that big huge gyro (wheel) spinning full force, in corners, it was moving out of alignment enough to cause that "WTF" feeling.

On top of that the "mechanic" broke my Kuryakyn cover for the rear hub. It's my guess that he couldn't figure out how to get the cover off, so he just busted it, then screwed it back on when he was done. I'll lose it at some point, I'm sure. It has no rear support anymore.

So, everything reassembled, rear wheel torqued down to 85lbs (I think 110 will strip it, so I'm not going whole hog) and with that and a 5 exit highway test, my squirrelly-ness is gone which I'm happy about, but I feel pretty bad about being taken for a ride.

Wow, glad you found the problem. Might wanna pay that wrench a visit...with a stick of dynamite

Enjoy them, like wine they only get better with age

Rod

Just another reason why I do all my own wrench work, NOBODY else cares a about the safety of my ass as does the owner (ME)

Glad you found the problem, Jonathan. I've had zero complaints with the Michelin Commander II rear tire I
installed. That job is pure sloppy negligence, and exactly why I do my own work. I still don't mount and balance my own tires (I have a local chopper shop do that), but I take the wheels off and reinstall them myself.
John Scribner

Glad you found it! That's why I roll all my own! The Commander takes a bit longer to break in, but it's awesome once you get a few good heat cycles in it.

I did my first wheel change a few weeks ago and even I remembered to do that. I'd be bitching to high hell to the owner of that "establishment", that moron's negligence could have cost you your life.

nasomi wrote:
I did my first wheel change a few weeks ago and even I remembered to do that. I'd be bitching to high hell to the owner of that "establishment", that moron's negligence could have cost you your life.Could have. Didn't. I'm pretty mellow like that. Lesson learned. Don't go back to that shop.

Jonathan wrote:
nasomi wrote:
I did my first wheel change a few weeks ago and even I remembered to do that. I'd be bitching to high hell to the owner of that "establishment", that moron's negligence could have cost you your life.Could have. Didn't. I'm pretty mellow like that. Lesson learned. Don't go back to that shop.
Agreed. You learned and you are safe, but the next guy may not be so lucky. I don't do things like that for me, I do it for the next guy, because I'm not big on second chances.

Mate,
I had same problem last year, didn't notice a thing though until I was doing a bit of lube on the belt. Then, and this was a Sunday, I saw the prob like yours and just had to fix it before I could go out anywhere. Re aligned properly ( no belt squeal now..) took it back to bike shop, they poured over it but and I repeat not ONE apology! Needless to say they don't get any more of my $$$s.
K