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Calvin, I wish I could help you, I truly do, but not being there, nor having my hands on it, all I can do is offer opinions.
This is an anomaly, and the problem is not the tire size.
But.....given the problems you have experienced, and the tire damage that may affect sealing, if you do replace the tire, buy a 130/70-18 the next time, so you eliminate that question.
The shops you eventually took it to, will all DENY that they did the damage to the tire. True or not, they will DENY it.
For 10 years I did all my own tire work, but I had very expensive Snap On motorcycle tire machines and electronic balancer. I was going through 10 sets of tires each year, testing tires for Dunlop and Bridgestone. Eventually sold all my equipment to a Honda/Yamaha dealer in Oregon.
These days, I personally order my tires, exactly what I want, then have my local Honda dealer install them on to the wheels, and I get a perfect tire installation every time.
Having your own tire machine is great for the easier to install tires. But with the latest models of motorcycle tires, with stiffer sidewalls, and tighter fit on the wheels, it's difficult to install these newer tires with a Harbor Freight manual tire machine.
This is the perfect example of trying to save money, doing it yourself, only to have to spend more money by having shops involved, then buying a 2nd new tire.
Again, without seeing your wheel with my own eyes, I really can't help you, like I would want to.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Calvin, I wish I could help you, I truly do, but not being there, nor having my hands on it, all I can do is offer opinions.
This is an anomaly, and the problem is not the tire size.
But.....given the problems you have experienced, and the tire damage that may affect sealing, if you do replace the tire, buy a 130/70-18 the next time, so you eliminate that question.
The shops you eventually took it to, will all DENY that they did the damage to the tire. True or not, they will DENY it.
For 10 years I did all my own tire work, but I had very expensive Snap On motorcycle tire machines and electronic balancer. I was going through 10 sets of tires each year, testing tires for Dunlop and Bridgestone. Eventually sold all my equipment to a Honda/Yamaha dealer in Oregon.
These days, I personally order my tires, exactly what I want, then have my local Honda dealer install them on to the wheels, and I get a perfect tire installation every time.
Having your own tire machine is great for the easier to install tires. But with the latest models of motorcycle tires, with stiffer sidewalls, and tighter fit on the wheels, it's difficult to install these newer tires with a Harbor Freight manual tire machine.
This is the perfect example of trying to save money, doing it yourself, only to have to spend more money by having shops involved, then buying a 2nd new tire.
Again, without seeing your wheel with my own eyes, I really can't help you, like I would want to.
So in your opinion, is the a sealing surface? Would you run this tire or buy a new one?
So in your opinion, is the a sealing surface? Would you run this tire or buy a new one?
To be frank with you, Calvin..."I" would run that tire, because the damage to the tire that I see in the pictures is NOT at the sealing location. The picture you posted of the WHEEL is vastly different than the wheel you are trying to mount that tire on. The tire sealing surfaces are the lowest vertical section, sealing up against the wheels' highest vertical section.
BUT....having said that....if YOU decide to order a brand new Bridgestone BT-46 in the 130/70-18 size....and get it PROPERLY mounted onto your front wheel....I will reimburse you the cost of that new tire when I see you at the Flint Hills Sidecar Rally.
But me...I would have that current tire installed correctly, and be done with it.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
So in your opinion, is the a sealing surface? Would you run this tire or buy a new one?
To be frank with you, Calvin..."I" would run that tire, because the damage to the tire that I see in the pictures is NOT at the sealing location. The picture you posted of the WHEEL is vastly different than the wheel you are trying to mount that tire on. The tire sealing surfaces are the lowest vertical section, sealing up against the wheels' highest vertical section.
BUT....having said that....if YOU decide to order a brand new Bridgestone BT-46 in the 130/70-18 size....and get it PROPERLY mounted onto your front wheel....I will reimburse you the cost of that new tire when I see you at the Flint Hills Sidecar Rally. I will pay you the cost of the new TIRE, if you get a new one.
But me...I would have that current tire installed correctly, and be done with it.
Thanks "FRANK"..
I don't know why you would want to reimburse me for the tire. All though you're a MONKEY, you're not the GORILLA who put a screw driver under it. But Sidecar Willie says he will be having milk with his donut holes you're supplying,,,,lol.
If I decide to get a new tire I assume you mean to still get a REAR tire. Right?
If I decide to get a new tire I assume you mean to still get a REAR tire. Right?
Yes, a Bridgestone BT-46 motorcycle REAR tire, in a 130/70-18, which I believe that they only sell the BT-46 in a 130/70-18 that is a REAR tire.
I just looked it up, that tire size is only available as a REAR tire.
Question: when you ordered the 140/70-18...did you order the H rated tire, or the V rated tire ?
Given the huge problems you had trying to get that tire mounted, my gut tells me you got a V rated tire, designed for speeds well in excess of 130 mph.
There is a difference, and the one you should have ordered is the H rated tire, as 99.99 % of sidecar rigs will never hit the speed required to need a V rated tire.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
If I decide to get a new tire I assume you mean to still get a REAR tire. Right?
Yes, a Bridgestone BT-46 motorcycle REAR tire, in a 130/70-18, which I believe that they only sell the BT-46 in a 130/70-18 that is a REAR tire.
I just looked it up, that tire size is only available as a REAR tire.
Question: when you ordered the 140/70-18...did you order the H rated tire, or the V rated tire ?
Given the huge problems you had trying to get that tire mounted, my gut tells me you got a V rated tire, designed for speeds well in excess of 130 mph.
There is a difference, and the one you should have ordered is the H rated tire, as 99.99 % of sidecar rigs will never hit the speed required to need a V rated tire.
Miles, Miles. You doubt me so,,,,,lol.
And ummmm. Sidecar Willie is a speed freak. He won't go unless I get it up to 140. 🤣
SUCCESS!! I was actually on my way to the bike shop to let them do it. I stopped by an old flat tracker buddies house to pick him up to ride along. He said let him try. He FAILED with many different ways that I all ready tried. He tried 3 times with lighting either. NOPE!!
I was just getting ready to put it back in the truck and a friend of his showed up. He said "Let me show you boys how to do that". He did basically the same thing we did with the either. But it popped right on HIS first try,,,,lol. I now have a nice even line around the rim. It's held air sitting in the back of my truck all day. So I'm going to change the wheel bearing, new seals, and INSTALL!!
I guess I'll be all right as long as the damage to the bead doesn't give me any trouble down the road. Is that something that if it was going to be an issue it just wouldn't hold air now?
If the bead stayed round, and sealed up tight, you should be good to go for the duration of the tire. Try to stay away from running the pressure too low. I bought a cheap TPMS system for a trike from Amazon. It isn't accurate. But it is good enough to tell me if a tire drops below 25 psi or gets above 185 degrees F. That provides time to get off the road, and find a good brewpub.
Hold my keyboard and watch this! 🙃
See......I told you.....if it was me, I would have used that damaged tire, because what I could see in the pictures was that the bead sealing surface was not damaged.
Glad it finally..... FINALLY.....worked out for you.
Two Million Mile Rider
Exploring the World in Comfort
Cal...
Glad you got it. Personally, if it holds air, I would run it.
FYI... this tire machine is the schizz: Rabaconda
I go through rear tires at an alarming rate and change out most of my friends tires when they need it. This thing makes it truly easy. Watch a few of their many youtube videos and see what you think. I think it is easier than the HF unit. I've done at least 15 tires with it, in the last 6 months, and am a very happy customer.
Regarding seating: The bead grease that Rabaconda includes in their kit is a game changer. Most of my really stiff sidewall tires (i.e. Mitas E07+ Dakars, Motoz Tractionators, etc) pop at about 15 PSI when I use it generously. Worst case, I put a ratchet strap around the center of the tire to push the beads out to the rim. I have never had to resort to lighter fluid tricks to get a seat. I would use it in a pinch, alongside the road, though.
Glad you got it seated... sounds very frustrating. I run 150/70-18's on all three wheels, rear tires with the front and the hack wheel mounted backwards to the rotation arrow. Works great, don't last very long on rear (4,000 or so), but I get about 16,000 miles out of front, and 30,000 and counting out of the hack wheel.
