Flat Treaded Tires

Might as well stick with the Harley WW Dunlops. I've got 6K on my present set (Factory RK/TLE chair) and they aren't showing appreciable wear.

Lonnie

I don't know of any tire company that makes sidecar-specific tires, other than the Metzeler K-Block and the Avon Triple Duty MK III, both of which are too small for your Harley. Plus they're only rated for use on the sidecar wheel and not on the bike, anyway. I've heard of people using car tires on their Harley rigs but I'm not convinced that is a wise thing to do. With that in mind, Coker Tires carry a large selection of whitewalls for vintage cars but of course the whitewall is only on one side of the tire. Other than that, I think Dauntless has some flat-tread heavy duty car tires that might work but they're not whitewalls and they have the only known remaining stock (the tires have been discontinued by the manufacturer), so once they're sold out that's it.

You're probably better off staying with the OEM Dunlops, at least they'll be in stock at your local dealer.

Thanks all for the reply, hey Lonnie, do you think I might get away with no steering damper if I let a bit of pressure out of the front tire and tighten up on the front fork bearings a little? every pic I've seen from Motorvation with a springer front end has no damper,thanks again, David.

Originally written by Gummiente on 5/22/2006 7:52 AM

I don't know of any tire company that makes sidecar-specific tires, other than the Metzeler K-Block and the Avon Triple Duty MK III, both of which are too small for your Harley. Plus they're only rated for use on the sidecar wheel and not on the bike,

Actually the K-Block and Avon Triple Duty are "triple rated". (That's what the "triple Duty" in the name of the Avon means.) Suitable for front, rear and side. Although I'm sure it wouldn't suit a Harley. I used the K-block on the rear of our Guzzi outfit for years no problems. I'm currently trying it out on the front on my K100 outfit. Jury still out.

Ciao,

Steven

Originally written by greenguzzi on 5/22/2006 10:50 AM
Actually the K-Block and Avon Triple Duty are "triple rated". (That's what the "triple Duty" in the name of the Avon means.) Suitable for front, rear and side.

Well, there ya go... I learned something new today. Thanks, I did not know that! 🙂

The tires mentioned come in 17" and 18", not 16" which you use on the Harley.

(Just got back from a 2,200 plus ride to CA on my RK combo with Factory Dunlop WWs. Well over 6K on them and they're still looking good.)

Lonnie

David,
You might try snugging up the head bearings. The air pressure isn't going to help out head shake. Further alignment may help. You can't rake the trees on the springer but some have filled the bars with lead shot, which will help some. On models with Buckhorn bars I have used the stock wideglide bars. These give you more leverage to control wiggle. Also after market wider bars are available from Flanders and CC clear out to over 36" wide or better, which also give you better headshake control for not too much $$$.
Do you have a Spyder? Mounting the car farther back will also help sometimes.
As a last resort new rockers could be machined (and chromed) to reduce your trail.

Lonnie

I would have thought that with a springer it would be easy (and cheap) enough to have a new (longer) lower link made up to move the wheel forward. That should reduce the steering effort.

Surely it would be a lot easier moving the wheel forward with a springer than with telies.

I've got the Avon Triple Duty on the front of my bike and I like it. I feel it handles better and I no longer have the low speed front end wobble issue.