Wanderer Posted October 17, 2009 Share #1 Posted October 17, 2009 (edited) My intent with this post is to provide as much information as I go along as I can. Going to the Darkside seems a daunting task for a lot of folks, including myself, so I'm going to try to do a blow by blow of my own procedure and report back, if not daily, at least every ride for the first several thousand miles or so. Finally, got my new tire yesterday and am having it installed today at 10. As many of you know I live in a motel and doing any of my own work isn't really an option unless I can get Sleeperhawk or Pecker's help so I have a local shop, M&M cycles, doing the whole nine yards. I purchased the tire, $60 including shipping, from Onlinetires.com. Originally ordered a Federal, but ended up with the Nexen because the Federal was on national back order. For an online out-fit they don't respond well to emails etc, but when I finally got on the phone with them they went right to work and sent the Nexen the day I called. I'll reserve judgment on the company for now as they seem very competent if you speak by phone to an actual person. I just feel as an online store they should be more responsive to email and they seem to not check their email much. As quick as I ordered the tire from Onlinetires I jumped over and hit up Innovative Balancing for the Dyna Beads. I've used this approach to every tire I've ever installed on my own and I absolutely love Dyna Beads for balancing my tires. I intend to use 3 ounces in the Nexen as recommended by Innovative Balancing for installation of a c/t on a motorcycle. For now I intend to continue to run the oem Dunlop D404 on the front. Perhaps next month I'll change that out. Contrary to popular belief I'm not a wealthy man. That's it for now, will report again, as soon as I return from the install. May make a detour to the state fair along the way, so please be patient. http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xOOWRVc9-a4/StmilFSnjqI/AAAAAAAAA4M/-R9EQycLL_I/s400/165_80_15.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xOOWRVc9-a4/StmilBTAo4I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/2Wqo2UlU_Q8/s400/NexenSB802.jpg PS: the tread is deeper than it appears in photos. Edited October 17, 2009 by Wanderer spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagleeye Posted October 17, 2009 Share #2 Posted October 17, 2009 Good luck, Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do my nexen. Here is a couple pics of my install. Only took 80psi to bead it up. I've got over 11M on it this year, and love it. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBoyinMS Posted October 17, 2009 Share #3 Posted October 17, 2009 Looking forward to your updates! I would think the Nexen is every bit as good as the Kumho. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 17, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted October 17, 2009 Man, the guys I took it to were not really set up for tires. Not enough lube or something and they blew the side out:bang head:. Scared the you know what out of me. So my trip to the darkside will be postponed a while longer while I try to round up another tire. I won't give up over this little set back. Guess I'll have a and try to get another tire this coming week. Sorry for my delay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagleeye Posted October 17, 2009 Share #5 Posted October 17, 2009 Probably needed to change underwear anyways. You need to find a member near you with a changer. Then use WD-40 as your lube. It will go great. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted October 18, 2009 I don't know any members as of now close that have a changer (hint). I could wait til I get back to Alabama and do it myself I guess. I have my changer there. Part of the pit falls of living and working away from home. Drawers were changed as quick as I got home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mariner Fan Posted October 18, 2009 Share #7 Posted October 18, 2009 They destroyed the tire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted October 18, 2009 They destroyed the tire? Yep, but I had already agreed I wouldn't hold them liable if any thing went wrong for installing a car tire. Frankly, I should have known better and had an uneasy feeling when I arrived this morning. Nothing seemed to be right. Others have already said it was an omen and it was meant as a warning not to install a c/t. Fortunately I'm not the superstitious type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flb_78 Posted October 18, 2009 Share #9 Posted October 18, 2009 I blew up a Federal while airing it up. The Kuhmo held 125psi. I'd get a Kuhmo next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted October 18, 2009 Thanks, I'm looking for the Kumho now. Would like to pick this one up local if possible. By the way I suffer from coulrophobia! You're scaring me dude! I blew up a Federal while airing it up. The Kuhmo held 125psi. I'd get a Kuhmo next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsigwing Posted October 18, 2009 Share #11 Posted October 18, 2009 Thanks, I'm looking for the Kumho now. Would like to pick this one up local if possible. By the way I suffer from coulrophobia! You're scaring me dude! If you have a Discount tire near you, check them out. Had them order my BFG Radial T/A for my "sidecar" they did and mounted it to my wheel no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild hair 39 Posted October 18, 2009 Share #12 Posted October 18, 2009 i used STP oil treetment,beeded up at 70#,just lubed the tire and it slipped wight on Probably needed to change underwear anyways. You need to find a member near you with a changer. Then use WD-40 as your lube. It will go great. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dksmith196958 Posted October 18, 2009 Share #13 Posted October 18, 2009 why doesnt anybody run michlin tires ? oe tires for wings and touring bikes . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 18, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted October 18, 2009 why doesnt anybody run michlin tires ? oe tires for wings and touring bikes . My friend these posts are in the "Darksiders" where we discuss putting car tires on the bikes, not oem Michelin for motorcycles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBoyinMS Posted October 19, 2009 Share #15 Posted October 19, 2009 A suggestion: Get a 3M Scotchbrite pad and go over the wheel lip till it's as smooth as possible. Then as a tire lube I've heard good reports on cooking oil/vegetable oil on "Riding ON the Darkside" forum. Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
footsie Posted October 22, 2009 Share #16 Posted October 22, 2009 The cooper classic I tried to mount blew at 85 lbs. No problem with the kumho, used straight murphy lube and it seated easily. Gregg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 22, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted October 22, 2009 (edited) The cooper classic I tried to mount blew at 85 lbs. No problem with the kumho, used straight murphy lube and it seated easily. Gregg Thanks, got the Kumho yesterday. Tires-Easy.com. http://lh5.ggpht.com/_xOOWRVc9-a4/SuBhleDvaYI/AAAAAAAAA5E/K6xgxtxxnD8/s640/dsc01907.jpg Hopefully, I can find some one else to mount it this weekend. Edited October 22, 2009 by Wanderer add text and image Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
footsie Posted October 24, 2009 Share #18 Posted October 24, 2009 Ted Polish your rim at the bead lock, use some fine steel wool and water. Then one of the tire dearlers should have some murphy lube, rub a thin coat on tire and wheel. Gregg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 24, 2009 Author Share #19 Posted October 24, 2009 (edited) Got up this morning and went to Sleeperhawks. [ame=http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=42193]While he and Pecker were working on his gauges[/ame] I borrowed the jack and got the tire off. About two miles down the road is Hawg Wild, a little, but nice Harley repair shop. I ask the owner if he can take the old tire off and mount the new car tire. He says he can get one off and the new on, but isn't sure about getting the bead set. Well he couldn't and suggested I take it around the corner to Firestone and have them air it up and then bring it back and he'd balance it. Ok, so I run over to Firestone and presto tire mounted, tipped the mounter and head back to Hawg Wild. 5 minutes later, my tire is balanced. Payment? One old Dunlop and that's for all his trouble and the balancing. All this in less than an hour. Shoot back to Sleeperhawks and am starting to clean and grease all the gears etc. Lunch break. It's raining pretty good by now, so guess I'll wait til later to finish the grease job and reinstall of the tire, but I couldn't be happier to finally be a member of the Darkside. More pics and ride details later. Edited October 24, 2009 by Wanderer link posted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share #20 Posted October 25, 2009 http://lh6.ggpht.com/_xOOWRVc9-a4/SuQ3oYKIoJI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/SFmQsZOzxkU/GuidancebyGeorge.jpg Don't care what nobody says. That's one fine looking motorcycle - - - car tire. I'm an early riser, so it's killing me to wait until nine to get back over to George's and get this baby all bolted up and go for a ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennTuc Posted October 25, 2009 Share #21 Posted October 25, 2009 A friend of mine who is a member of this site just blew the side out of a Nexen tire while trying to mount it on his RSV. He said it blew out at 120 psi. It would seat all but about 6 inches around the bead and he locked the air chuck on the wheel, set the pressure at 120 and stepped out of the garage. When he peeked in, it blew. Said it took a few years off his life. I'm planning on giving it a try, but with a Kuhmo. Glenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share #22 Posted October 25, 2009 Finally, I'm riding on the Kumho. Initial impressions are it feels good. I seem to have felt a little wobble in the slow speed turn leaving Georges, but I left the tire pressure at 33 where it was after the Firestone store. I may play with the pressure some later. Going down the super slab it's smooth and comfy and lane changes just seem to happen as if controlled by my thoughts. Oh heck, I can't really explain it, but I like it. More thoughts later. By the way, my audio is not working. I'm thinking it had something to do with removing and replacing the CD changer, but I checked the fuse and still nothing. Anybody else had this problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share #23 Posted October 25, 2009 A friend of mine who is a member of this site just blew the side out of a Nexen tire while trying to mount it on his RSV. He said it blew out at 120 psi. It would seat all but about 6 inches around the bead and he locked the air chuck on the wheel, set the pressure at 120 and stepped out of the garage. When he peeked in, it blew. Said it took a few years off his life. I'm planning on giving it a try, but with a Kuhmo. Glenn Yes, I had the feeling that the Nexen side wall was not as heavy as the Kumho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tx2sturgis Posted October 25, 2009 Share #24 Posted October 25, 2009 Just dropped in to see what all the noise was...yall keep ker-sploding things in here! Are ear muffs normally a requirement for a darksider? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Posted October 25, 2009 Author Share #25 Posted October 25, 2009 Just dropped in to see what all the noise was...yall keep ker-sploding things in here! Are ear muffs normally a requirement for a darksider? Hearing protection is certainly advised. I spect most of us, at least me, are still in the learning process, but by gosh I am now an official darksider and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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