After the restoration: 19200-mile service [page 3] New tires
Tuesday, Jan 5, 2010 [18,904 miles]
My current tires have been on the bike since 2005. There is lots of tread left, but the rubber has become so hard the bike is squirmy in the rain. Time for something new.
Heidenau K34
3.50x18
These are Heidenau K34 tires that I picked up today from Moto Amore in Santa Clara. They look right and are in the correct size 3.50x18. I'll thought I'd give them a try. The question is how well they'll handle on rain grooves.
Wednesday, Jan 6, 2010 [18,904 miles]
Remove rear wheel
Make room
Today I took off the rear wheel to mount one of the tires I picked up yesterday. I had to loosen the left shock mount to make room to remove the rear wheel. This should be the last time I have to do that.
While the wheel was off I cleaned up the brake shoes, the drive splines, and parts of the frame that are harder to get to with the wheel on the bike. The old tire and tube came off the rim without issue. Then I looked at the tube.
Will use new tube
I don't know that the rust on the valve stem is a problem, but since I got a new tube why take chances. A little talc, a little air, and the the new tire went on the rim about as easy as the old tire came off. The only issue is one of tire direction. There are no arrows on the Heidenau, yet the tread isn't 100% symetric. The difference probably doesn't mean much. At least that's what I'm telling myself.
Balance
Weights
Balance time brought up the only issue: I didn't realize I was out of new wheel weights. Hmmm, I've heard of others using some RTV to stick old weights on. Only down side I can see is that I have to wait until it sets. I cleaned the back of the weights and the mounting location with some denatured alcohol then put a thick bead of clear RTV on the back of the weights and pressed them into place, wiping up the excess RTV. It's curing as I type this. I won't put the wheel back on the bike until the RTV has had some time to set.
moly grease
No need to back out bolt
About 3 hours later I figured the RTV was set enough to put the wheel back on the bike. First I put some moly paste on the wheel splines and then I put the the left shock mounting bolt nut back on the bolt and torqued it down. As expected, a 3.50 x 18 tire fits with the shock bolt and nut in place so I put it back before mounting the wheel.
Tire on bike
Ready to ride
I put the wheel back on the bike then installed the cleaned and lightly greased axle. Axle tightened, then pinch bolt, then the fender. The bike is ready to ride... but tomorrow is a Mid Week Ride where I'll be on the GS. And maybe Friday I'll put the front tire on the bike.
