I picked up a 2003 Goldwing with an Hannigan Astro Sport attached in Casa Grande, AZ and the seller assured me the tires were good enough to make it back to Longview, TX. He was right but I decided to head out to CA for a visit at my sisters and then up to Lake Tahoe to visit my brother. Afterwards I went north to Enumclaw, WA. to stop at Dauntless to get a hitch installed. By then, the tires didn't look like they would make it another 2500 miles that I figured it would take me to get home. I called Poulin Honda in Yakima, WA and talked to Jerrym, the service manager. I told him I was traveling and needed a front tire. He said he could get me in that afternoon as his racks were full. I mentioned that I had a sidecar so it wouldn't fit a rack. He then said, well come on over and pull in to the service building. He came out and proceeded to jack up the bike and change the tire himself. While doing so, I noticed my rear car tire was also getting questionable. He started laughing knowing what my next question was. I was able to find a new rear at Les Schwab and Jerry changed it for me also. Peace of mind now for the whole way back home. If any of you find your in need and you're in that area, it's a great dealer to check out.
That's great service of which we don't often hear. I'm glad he changed out your auto tire; some dealers will not do so. My local dealer only mounted Jena's auto tire after I gave him a written release of liability.
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
SwampFox - 10/3/2011 8:00 AM
That's great service of which we don't often hear. I'm glad he changed out your auto tire; some dealers will not do so. My local dealer only mounted Jena's auto tire after I gave him a written release of liability.
He had friends with sidecars that had auto tires so it wasn't even an issue. Hopefully I won't have to worry about it for a long time. Now that a car tire is already mounted on the rim, I should be able to take the rim and tire to any car tire dealer and get it replaced. How would they know it's on a motorcycle. Could be a custom trailer wheel and tire.
The spindle on many automobile tire changers (and balancers) will not accept the small sized axle motorcycle wheels. Most all car wheels have a large center opening that makes them easy to clamp down.
Lonnie
How does Tripper enjoy the new hack?
Pat Huey - 10/3/2011 11:32 AM
How does Tripper enjoy the new hack?
I just pulled the car seat out of it (goes back and forth and reclines) and now her bed fits in perfect. Thursday will be her maiden voyage and she will have two weeks to get used to it. A lot more room than the Ural.
Hack'n - 10/3/2011 11:03 AM
The spindle on many automobile tire changers (and balancers) will not accept the small sized axle motorcycle wheels. Most all car wheels have a large center opening that makes them easy to clamp down.
Lonnie
I noticed the Honda dealers tire machine hooked on to the outside rim. I tried changing the rear once on my 05 Wing with tire irons and couldn't do it but I could and did do the front.
Oldtimer - 10/3/2011 9:44 AM: He had friends with sidecars that had auto tires so it wasn't even an issue....
Seems Washington State has lots of cool sidecar folks. 
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
SwampFox - 10/3/2011 9:49 PM
Oldtimer - 10/3/2011 9:44 AM: He had friends with sidecars that had auto tires so it wasn't even an issue....
Seems Washington State has lots of cool sidecar folks.
As he was working on it, one of his buddies with a sidecar came in just to shoot the breeze. Maybe I'll have to go back there when I need another rear tire. LOL
Oldtimer- if you'd said that over on Facebook, I'd click on "like"....
