Sometimes.. it's just time..

[Bill in SC]

Hope all is well with everyone. Daily riding since May wore this tire out quite well. Never spun on the asphalt, just ridin'. Still might run the "slick" until I see the cord, but my high speed riding is limited for now. Y'all ever see this tire changin' video? Think I will try it out.

YouTube - Changing a Clincher Rim Tire Without Tire Irons




BB in SC

[kgdb]

haha Got your money out of that one! I saw that vid before, tempted to try it as well. Let us know how it works out.

[Bonehead9]

I know a few guys that have tried it. They said it works pretty good. Just watch for the bag tearing and make sure to pick the pieces out if it happens.

[jerseymutt]

The tire he was changing was on a clincher type rim, not a modern drop center rim. I had a bike with a clincher rim back in the 60's and you could change them without bags and without irons once it was broken loose from the rim. The last drop center MC tire I changed I couldn't belive how hard it was to lever the new tire onto the rim, I'm sure the plastic bag would not have worked.

They went to drop center rims because they were safer the clincher type. When you had a flat with the clincer the tire would often come off the rim. You can imagine what would happen on a MC when that happened.
YouTube - SCUDMAN How to install a motorcycle tire
Here's a guy doing it on a modern rim YouTube - SCUDMAN How to install a motorcycle tire The rim savers he uses is a good idea. The video is 7 minutes but he BS's for 6 mintues. Fast forward until he puts the tire ontop of the rim.

Mutt

[Bill in SC]

'Ppreciate the link, Mutt. I just want to make sure I don't fuck up the powder coat on my rim.
BB

[jerseymutt]

Bill, I saw you were looking for 3 gal fat bobs, did you find any yet? if not you should give Rob a call at Rob's Used Harley Parts, in Virginia. He always has stuff going in and out at a somewhat resonable price.

Mutt

[Bill in SC]

Yeah, I traded my five gallon set for a 3 1/2 gallon set. All the mounting tabs had been removed from my frame, and I'm having a time fitting them up, but I WILL persevere!! Sometimes certain mods need two hands in the picture. I have the task about half whipped. Lots of angles and clearances to consider. There are so many different styles of fatbobs with different mounting points. I can make any of 'em work, but it's workin' ME in the process! The brackets are easy to fab up but again, lots of angles and clearances to consider to make 'em RIGHT! BTW: I appreciate the "Rob's" tip. I have found his web page and have it bookmarked for future reference!
BB in SC

[jerseymutt]

Bill,

There is a kit (bracket) made to replace the missing brackets. It's pretty easy. When my buddy did his, he put a couple of slotted holes in the bracket and scewed them to the top rail of the frame, mounted the tanks and then moved them (back and forth) to the proper location using the slots, then tightened the screws to lock the bracket in place, removed the tanks and welded the bracket in place. He was actually putting late model tanks on an older frame. hope this helps.

By the way, before welding disconnect all electrics - but you knew that.

Mutt

[Bill in SC]

Mutt, I have seen the kits, but I have made all my own brackets. MUCH more gratifying to make ANY part I have the capabilities to do. I have 11 hours into them so far. Almost completed, but need to weld two tabs on the rear mount base. All my mounts are bolted on the frame. The front mount bracket base was still on the frame. The rear had two threaded holes drilled into the frame backbone, I assume for the rear tank mount. I cut a piece of one inch tubing lengthwise, and it contours PERFECTLY on the backbone. Drilled two holes in it and it bolts on perfectly. I just need to weld the tabs to that piece of tubing and the rear mount will be complete. Yes, I know about disconnecting the electronics before welding on the bike, but I can actually weld the tabs to the mount OFF the bike. Trying to get this completed so I can paint the tanks before it gets to cool to paint. The good thing about the bolt on mounts is that they can be removed in a jiffy if I want to run the Sportster tank. I really like the Sportster tank look better, but will need the "bobs" occasionally for longer runs. I sold most of my metal working tools years ago, and my progress is slow due to working with a portaband saw, "C" clamps and a four inch grinder. I GOTTA get me another welding machine, torch setup, and a good vise! I will post up pics of my work before and after the installation.
Bill in SC

[jerseymutt]

Cool Looking forward to the pics.

Mutt