Rubbermount_EVO 110 front tire uneven - video

jackacc · #1 5th October 2011

I recently installed a 110 front tire on my 06 sportster and it is a little uneven when rotated, it even makes contact with the fender strut a little. I shot a quick video to show what is happening.

I installed it a week or so ago and had no rubbing but tonight when I went to roll the bike back in the garage it squeaked upon making contact with the fender so I put it up on the lift to check it out. I looked over the handlebars last week when I rode it and noticed that when rotating at speed the tire was "wobbling" left to right but the bike had no vibes or wobbles, but it struck me as odd that it appeared to be moving side to side. I installed everything just as it came out as per the manual.

Is this an issue with the tire or something I may have done with installing the wheel/fender? I am leaning towards a tire issue but it doesn't make any sense that it was not making contact when I installed it but now it is. I did have the forks off prior to this to install fork boots and I thought maybe the pinch bolts on one side came loose just a little and shifted the fender over a bit, but everything appears even.

Here is a video of what it looks like, I appreciate any advice:

1200R :: MVI_3656.mp4 video by jackacc - Photobucket

racerwill · #2 5th October 2011

looks like a bent wheel from where I'm sitting.......

Ww

BWP 5p · #3 5th October 2011

Check the bead closely...........it's probably not seated all the way around.
Deflate it.....spray some soapy water around it and air it back up. There's a little ridge that should be even all the way around.

OR...maybe Will is correct.......Your wheel is bent?

asasial · #4 5th October 2011

if the bead of the tire fully seated?

jackacc · #5 5th October 2011

The bead looks like it is seated correctly, I don't see anything out of the ordinary. Would it be obvious if it was not seated correctly? I took the tire to a well known shop in the area and watched the guy do it.

Man, it better not be a bent wheel. Is there a way the guy could have bent my wheel on the mounting machine? I don't see how it could have been bent otherwise. The weird thing is it was not rubbing just a week or so ago now it is.

Worst case, I could have the stock tire put back on to test I guess.

asasial · #6 5th October 2011

lift the front wheel, hold something close to the rim, like a q-tip using the forks to steady yourself and spin the wheel. Watch to see if the rim is moving in and out or if it is the tire that is moving.
it is possible to bend a wheel while mounting a tire. but it could be a defected tire or improper mounting.
there should be a line that runs around the tire that you can see about 1/16 of an inch from the rim, all tires may not have this. it is sometimes hard to tell if the tire is fully seated, so look carefully.

Rico 05R · #7 5th October 2011

Check your wheel bearings too.

jackacc · #8 5th October 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by asasial

lift the front wheel, hold something close to the rim, like a q-tip using the forks to steady yourself and spin the wheel. Watch to see if the rim is moving in and out or if it is the tire that is moving.
it is possible to bend a wheel while mounting a tire. but it could be a defected tire or improper mounting.
there should be a line that runs around the tire that you can see about 1/16 of an inch from the rim, all tires may not have this. it is sometimes hard to tell if the tire is fully seated, so look carefully.

I tried this and it looks like the distance between q-tip and wheel stays even, I am hoping it is just the tire. I'll have to take it back to the shop and see if they can re-mount it for me this weekend and check it out in general.

The bead looks even on both sides though I checked that little line and it appears even. It is just like the tire is bulging or something. It rubs almost halfway around the rotation, then the other half turn it does not rub.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico 05R

Check your wheel bearings too.

What would I look for on the bearings, ovaling?

asasial · #9 5th October 2011

to check the bearings,
with the wheel in the forks and torqued down, grab the top of the wheel and see if you have any side to side, or up and down movement. if it does you should feel a slight tap as you take the slack out of the bearings.
also spin the wheel slowly and feel for any grinding or tight spots. it would be best to compress or remove the brake caliper before doing this do you don't confuse brake drag with a bearing problem

jackacc · #10 5th October 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by asasial

to check the bearings,
with the wheel in the forks and torqued down, grab the top of the wheel and see if you have any side to side, or up and down movement. if it does you should feel a slight tap as you take the slack out of the bearings.
also spin the wheel slowly and feel for any grinding or tight spots. it would be best to compress or remove the brake caliper before doing this do you don't confuse brake drag with a bearing problem

Thanks, I quickly checked the up and down side to side and it is all tight, before I installed the calipers when I had the wheel on I spun it and it felt smooth as well. I am really hoping this is just a tire mounting issue.