Going to the Dark Side

[garyahouse]

I have had my Exalto mounted for just over 10000Km and I love it. When I stripped the bike down this past winter I noted a rub mark on the inside of the right fairing (to the point were I could peel plastic from the bottom edge) and the rubber jacket on my Powerlet on the left side had been rubbed through. Anyone else experience this? I think the tire is flexing quite a bit at extreme angles.

Mattster

I'm trying to understand where you are rubbing. There is no fairing anywhere near the rear tire. There is a plastic inner fender. You have rear mounted powerlet(s) on the passenger footpeg mount? Do you use them, (it)? Mmmm, what for? Got pics?

Yes you are correct. I meant the inner fender. As I said, the right side had a definite rub mark and the bottom edge had that plastic burring that could be snapped off with your fingers. The left Powerlet rubber cover was rubbed right through to the point it had rubbed off a bit of the wire insulation. it was mounted to the inside of the sub frame which put it closer to the tire, but there was lots of clearance. I did not notice any rubber residue on my modified (Brodie style) brake arm, nor to the swing arm and center stand. When I examined the tire it had a slight shine to the upper outer edge, as if it had been rubbing on something. I have a feeling the tire is flexing slightly in the opposite direction (or the same, I'm not sure) during excessive lean angles (I have touched a peg once or twice but it's not a regular thing). The important thing here is that the tire IS making contact with my inner fender ( I will move my Powerlet as it's only there to power my compressor should I flat). I will post up a few photo's soon. Anyone else notice this??

I noticed this same thing two days after mounting my Exalto. The tire was a little shiny on one side, and the front lower edge (left side) of the black plastic inner fender had been rubbed from the inside until some of it was missing. As a matter of fact, I could smell it... that's how I figured it out. I'm not worried about the tire. In tire vs. a plastic inner fender, the fender is no match for the tire. You've got 60-70 inches of rubber against 2 inches of plastic. Result? Rubber gets a little shine, plastic goes away. Anyway, I discovered a couple plastic rivets missing on the side cover. Replacing them also served to move the inner fender slightly. Since your problem was on the right, and mine was on the left, it stands to reason that it could affect either side due to manufacturing/mounting tolerances.

Future darksiders, take note: Due to normal tolerances of the inner fender on theFJR, beware of clearance issues that might not show up when the bike is sitting in the garage. Mine ocurred with 400 pounds worth of Gary and Ernie on board. When we got off, he said something smelled. I was thinking it was because he was a smoker (just kidding), but a closer inspection revealed that my inner fender was smoking.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Floridave]

Wow, I'll have to check this out. Are you thinking this is a suspension compression issue or cornering/side load type issue? I'm going to step out at lunch and check mine, I'm also running the Exalto.

 

[wfooshee]

It would be a compression issue. There are little if any side loads on a tire on a motorcycle; the lean keeps the load perpendicular to the axle.

That's not to say there isn't a little sidewall wobble in a turn, as the sidewall compresses and releases during rotation, but I don't think that's very much, and I haven't seen it on any of the videos I've seen of other bikes being darksided.

 

[user 213]

Ok, better description now. Valid points to check on going DS and see about the powerlet location being shimmed out or re-located.

Do you run a stock shock? I don't, so I'm up a bit more and am running an 800 lb spring, so don't compress as easily either.

Another thought here is that under high corner loads the tire starts out deflecting, while keeping all the tread on the ground, and at this point it is shaped slightly oval, both the top and bottom being forced out of round from the deflection on the road. The top is being pulled/pushed just like the bottom as the round tire is forced out of round to conform to the lean angle. Once you exceed that moment and the edge begins to lift, it becomes more round again, but still has some deformation all the way around since it's a round tire being manipulated. This could lead to the rubbing you note in situations other than going strait down the road or sitting in the garage.

 

[RaYzerman19]

Gents, I am trying to help out some of my old friends with ST1300's, who are interested in going dark side.

<snip>

I'd like to help my pals out by providing them with measurements of various tires used on our machines, as we seem to have a variety of brands.

No need. They need to do what I did in the beginning, go on Tire Rack and look at the specs for the tires. That will tell them rated section width and tread width for most tires. No two tires are exactly the same, but it's a start. After that you guess and try something. Or start modifying things to eliminate the clearance issues. Some BMW guys have offset the wheel to eliminate rubbing. We had to change the brake arm. Every bike has it's challenges. Remember, there really are no narrow tires in 17", thus the original conundrum with my search and testing.

I wish them the best of luck. If they are not running the same size rim as we are, our data would not necessarily help them.

Agree they need to do homework and they have, but the problem is section width data is sometimes missing or may be reported differently by the various manufacturers. Then there's the problem of the actual (8" in Exalto's case) vs. reported (8.4") when mounted on our 5.5" rims (ST's have 5"). So, it would be helpful to have some actual measurements just in case we find a narrower than usual one, as mounted on our wheels.

I also find it interesting we are getting rubbing with the Exalto.

 

[RadioHowie]

ZERO rubbing with the Michelin A/S Plus.

 

[user 213]

Agree they need to do homework and they have, but the problem is section width data is sometimes missing or may be reported differently by the various manufacturers. Then there's the problem of the actual (8" in Exalto's case) vs. reported (8.4") when mounted on our 5.5" rims (ST's have 5"). So, it would be helpful to have some actual measurements just in case we find a narrower than usual one, as mounted on our wheels.

I also find it interesting we are getting rubbing with the Exalto.

I'll try to be gentle. You are mistaken. They have not done their homework. Of course different manufacturers have different specs! One 205/50-17 from brand A is not the same size as one from brand B. Just because the size of the tire is the same means very little other than it will fit on the normal application. Some are significantly wider than others. Some are based on a 7" wheel for the spec, some for a 6.5" wheel, etc. All of this info is available if you search. Tire Rack has a lot, but the OEM tire sites have some too, as do other re-seller sites. And yes, sometimes they only list one width, tread or section, instead of both, and after you spend some time reading this stuff you learn to extrapolate the data to understand what each number means and if that tire will be suitable to your needs.

Perhaps they need to consider the small number of 195/45-17 tires for their application. Those are narrower than the average 205/50-17, but the number of tires to choose from is greatly diminished, and availability is much more difficult as well. You will rarely find one at the local tire store, which is one of the reasons I opted not to consider that size. I wanted a tire that could be found nearly anywhere, if an issue came up.

As to the rubbing, some are, some are not. I suspect this is a matter of shock and load, rather than a 'given' that it rubs. Just as every tire is different, even two Exaltos, so every bike is also different. Some folks have reported needing to clearance one or both sides of the center stand, for example. Most do not have this issue either, but it exists. I suspect that few riders with aftermarket shocks have rubbing unless the shock is due for a rebuild.

 

[garyahouse]

Thanks OC, for your wise words. We can always count on you to shed some valuable light on the "issues" we have. For what it's worth, my inner fender is not "centered." It seems offset a little... as if it were shifted to the right of the bike somehow. Replacing the missing plastic rivets on the bottom side of the side panel seems to have cured the Exalto vs plastic altercation. My 05 Feejer now has 7k miles on it and has never been wrecked that I know of. The rubbing occurred on a really bumpy road. There was no contact with the tire that I could see while sitting on the bike in the driveway The contact took place as the suspension was soaking up the bumps.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Floridave]

I am not finding signs of the Exalto contacting anything but the road on my FJR. I have my suspension setup firm, and haven't done any fully loaded riding/trips though. I weigh 190 or so geared up.

Can someone post a picture or two of what they are seeing?

 

[SacramentoMike]

I don't have a damn thing to say about putting a car tire on a motorcycle.

I just wanted to say, someday, that I posted on this thread when the length of it (in pages) could be stated in only two digits. :lol:

 

[RadioHowie]

I don't have a damn thing to say about putting a car tire on a motorcycle.

I just wanted to say, someday, that I posted on this thread when the length of it (in pages) could be stated in only two digits. :lol:

Did I open Page 100???

Nope....dammitt!!

 

[TriggerT]

I checked mine, and there are no signs of any contact. that said I never ride 2 up, am about 205 pounds, AND have a Penske with a 950(?) pound spring. I had always planned on running with a fuel cell and full bags, so I went for a heavier spring weight.

 

[RadioHowie]

Page 100 yet????

Dammitt again!!!

 

[juniorfjr]

Page 100 yet????

Dammitt again!!!

[/quote

Not yet, try again.

 

[RadioHowie]

Last try...........

Screw it....let some (other) ******* be the first on page 100!!

Go ahead, odot...post away!!! :rofl:

 

[user 213]

Page 100 yet????

Dammitt again!!!

Howie, you are very strange. And I say that after having seen you riding in the 'hood with no gear and a big sloppy grin after we got you up and running again. Page one, page one hundred, content would be nice.

Anyone not running a stock shock experiencing rubbing? If so, what tire, what load?

 

[Harald]

With all this talk of rubbing from car tires, maybe the doom sayers were right? Your balls are gonna fall off!

Darn, I was hoping to get the first post on page 100. :angry2:

 

[Bustanut joker]

Last try...........

Screw it....let some (other) ******* be the first on page 100!!

Go ahead, odot...post away!!! :rofl:

Dickwhistle...I believe that honor may infact be mine

:****:

I don't have a damn thing to say about putting a car tire on a motorcycle.

I just wanted to say, someday, that I posted on this thread when the length of it (in pages) could be stated in only two digits. :lol:

Stay out this..It's ugly enough without yer help ballsac. :lol:

 

[Larry33319]

No rubbing on mine either with the stock shock. Life on the Darkside is very good. Want a cookie????

 

[Larry33319]

OCfjr, I am due for a new front tire soon. I live in Fl and do about 80% highway and 20% curves. What front tire do you prefer for IB type riding? Currently I am using a 2CT on the front with the Exalto on the rear.