What to Look for During Tire Change

[IanDMacDonald]

I'll be changing the tires again in another month or so. I'd like to know what to look for when changing the tires, as-far as greasing the bearings, final drive, etc.? Any routine maintenance that should ALWAYS be done when changing the tires?

Thanks.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Ian,
I now know what'll happen if ya don't grease that hub spline!

(Greg and JW Hughes do too... as well as Trbig... )

[bikerphil]

If you have never done it before, take apart the speedo drive hub and grease it. It takes about 5 minutes to do. Pay careful attention upon disassembly of the order of the parts.

[motoman]

Ian,
I now know what'll happen if ya don't grease that hub spline!

(Greg and JW Hughes do too... as well as Trbig... )

......y'all get REALLY cold when broke down and snowing southside of Red Mountain Pass.

[motoman]

If you have never done it before, take apart the speedo drive hub and grease it. It takes about 5 minutes to do. Pay careful attention upon disassembly of the order of the parts.

A good thought!..........but won't leave you brokedown 100mi. from nowhere like happened in post #4.

[BA80]

disregard this post..................

[BA80]

Ian,
I now know what'll happen if ya don't grease that hub spline!

(Greg and JW Hughes do too... as well as Trbig... )

Yup. The bearings are actually fairly easy to grease also. Get one of those grease needles from Oreilly's or where ever that looks like a big hypodermic needle with a grease zerk on the end and poke it into the bearings in 3 or 4 places and pump a little grease in there. I've only had to replace one bearing gone bad and I swap wheels a lot. I have a spare set for both ends and have the new tires mounted on them so down time replacing tires is just as long as it takes to swap wheels out.

[IanDMacDonald]

I've replaced the tires a few times, just neglected maintenance that should have been done. Thanks for the tips.

[ERM83]

I just did this for the first time...was kind of a pain at first (rear tire), but then once I knew what I was doing, the front tire was a breeze. Used the windex-lube trick to slip them on/off . I made a redneck/degenerate-wheel balance using a level, our brand new broom (handle), and a guitar amp.

out of curiosity, what kind of tires did you go with?? NOT TRYING TO START A DEBATE, HERE...I saw the old thread about tires.

[IanDMacDonald]

Howdy- Going witj Michelin Pilot Activs, coming from Metzeler Lasertecs that I really hated.

[ERM83]

Howdy- Going witj Michelin Pilot Activs, coming from Metzeler Lasertecs that I really hated.

Right on! I need to experiment with tires for these things...just wanted to see what you/other xs vets were using, as the ones I have on are the first new tires I've put on my bike. I have shinko 230's on right now...so far, they feel fine. I really don't have much of a frame of reference with these bikes, though...been riding it (not at the moment...need to do the gear fix ) since late august, and JUST put these on about a month and a half ago. Thanks for the response, Ian!

[IanDMacDonald]

The Metzeler ME's were the BEST tires for this bile, IMO. But, they don't make the rear anymore for the 17".

[TADracer]

While you have the rear wheel off ....

While you have the rear wheel off, check the complete drive shaft including the boot and U-joint since access is easy with the wheel out of the way. Also it might be good to do a quick check on the swing arm bearings and side play adjust if necessary.

[IanDMacDonald]

Thanks for the info!

[Radioguylogs]

....I just did this for the first time...was kind of a pain at first (rear tire),...

Did you say "pain in the rear?"

I just put a Kenda Cruz on the V65 rear and it was the most difficult tire I have done by far. I think it is because it has "3+2 casing" construction - whatever that is. Took 80 grams to balance, so I had to rotate it so the dot was opposite the valve stem,...then it still took 50 grams to balance.