Does anyone know if a 165 15 tire off of a old VW bug will fit a 1200 goldwing? I've heard that the rim might need turned down to get it to fit? Are they talking about the outside diameter of the rim. Or where the bead seats? I could do this easily, I just need to know where to start cutting. I've seen where some have had new wheels made. I really don't want to go down that road.
Also, Do you think it will fit on the bike? Once the mod is done.
Tanks for any input, Wes
Here's where you need to go to get some good answers:
http://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/forum.htm
The 15 inch tires are tough to get set on a bike rim because there's a slight difference in diameter's, but it can and is done but it takes around 100 lbs of air pressure to do it, go to the dark side it what there all about.
Well, I have a tire on the way:o) Two friends at work both have VW tires on their bikes a Honda shadow and a Harley chop. The tire should be slightly smaller on the OD. But the width might be a scoch bigger?
I'll keep everyone posted.
What is the GW's OEM tire size?
150/90-15
Here is what I have planned
This way I can have a WW on the back to:o)
JC Whitney sell white wall paint for the other side if that's what you would like to have.
I was just going to put it to the outside:o)
I was just going to put it to the outside:o)
===================================================
Which outside,,,the inside outside or the outside outside 🙂
Sounds like an interesting project. How about some pics as you go?
Ahhhhhh,,,,I suggest that you go to page one and follow the progress through page 10 or maybe it's 11 now 🙂
15" can be an issue. This has been beat to death on this forum. The 15" cycle rims are larger in diameter than they coudl be for the 15" car tires. Other diameters seem to do okay but 15" is the bad apple. Some have mounted them and some have had troubles. It is not recomended by most who have been aroudn for years. If you do decide to go forward with it do not use extreme pressure to seat the bead. See attached pictures.
The so called 'darkside' forums which talk about car tires on cycle rims are moreso related to solo bike applications than sidecar usage. Be aware of this when reading.
Your call 🙂
But...the original poat said:
>>Does anyone know if a 165 15 tire off of a old VW bug will fit a 1200 goldwing? I've heard that the rim might need turned down to get it to fit? Are they talking about the outside diameter of the rim. Or where the bead seats? I could do this easily, I just need to know where to start cutting. I've seen where some have had new wheels made. I really don't want to go down that road.<<
Yes some have turned down the bike wheel at the bead area to allow a car tire to fit. Used to be a guy that came to some rallies that actually did this on site with a jig made up using the bike as a lathe...but... he drifted away. Anyone remember this guy?
How much should be turned down? I do not know. Were there any wheel failures? Not sure. In either case if you decide to do this you must also take the credit or blame for the results. Think 'smoothe' so as to not to create any grooves to form cracks.
The 165 tires have been used on wings with aftermarket wheels but side to side position is critical as clearance is tight. There is also a p[ossibilty of using 155,140 or 135 tires as well which are smaller in width and also diameter.
That happened while installing the tire right? If it will go on Ok. Everything should be fine, right?
Just because the tire finally went on the rim and passes visual inspection is no indication that the tire bead hasn't been stretched to the point of emminent failure. It could fail on the road at any time.
I have had to use over 140# at one time to mount a 70/90X21' Metzeler on a spoked steel Harley rim and that worked (finally) but some have been bably injured and even killed by over pressurizing during tire mounting when the tire or wheel failed.
Tire shops and garages used to have safety cages for mounting any tire.
We used to place the wheel and tire under a leg of a car hoist then drop the hoist down on the wheel before pressurizing a stubborn tire that wouldn't rim seat with normal pressure and soaping the bead.
Lonnie
>>>Just because the tire finally went on the rim and passes visual inspection is no indication that the tire bead hasn't been stretched to the point of emminent failure. It could fail on the road at any time.<<<
This is definately something to think about. A tire bead could very well be damaged without it being realized during the mounting of the tire.
Wes, yes, the failures in the pictures did take place during mounting.They were provided by Hal Kendall in an article years ago. This 15" car tire / Motorcycle wheel debate is nothing new.
You will hear some say something like " What's the big deal I did it and have run a buh zillion miles with no trouble" You will hear others advise against it. You will even hear others debate that cycle wheels, no matter the diameter, are not designed for automotive tires.
Sidecarists, almost all of us anyhow, are using a bike for a purpose it was not specifically designed for. Through the years many things have been tried and time proven to work well and be safe. Also through the years some things have been tried with iffy results. Experience has left it's marks some good and some not so good. Mounting car tires on 15" motorcyle wheels has enough 'iffyness' to it that most who have played with sidecars through many years will advise against it.
Again, it is your decision and your responsibility to deal with the outcome.
