My new car tire won’t fit!☹️

Joined
Mar 13, 2012
Messages
5,071
Location
soCal
Bike
'97 ST1100
STOC #
687
Yes, but I would think the numbers should make them the same, no?
no, the size numbers have a fair amount of wiggle room to them, and the same is true with motorcycle tires. You could buy several different 170/60-17 motorcycle tires and measure the width, you'd get varying results.
 
Joined
Jan 6, 2010
Messages
410
Location
Lacombe, AB Canada
Bike
05 ST1300
Here’s my preferred flavour - Pirelli P7. On my 3rd one now, no plans to change. As you can see by the pics there’s lots of room for this tire. And no wiggling, simple green, or flattened milk cans to get it in there. I get 28-30k miles, at 28 psi. Boost it to 30 when I’m fully loaded with camping
gear, etcIMG_2069.jpegIMG_2065.jpegIMG_2064.jpeg
 

sirbike

Site Supporter
Joined
Feb 26, 2007
Messages
869
Location
Cleveland OH
Bike
2006 ST1300A
2024 Miles
000540
Definitely fully mounted and aired up to check for leaks around the rim first.
I let the air out, used tire lube to slide in. Got stuck then judiciously shot WD-40 and went in. Washed the wd off thoroughly. The abs sensor mount added more resistance then the non abs install.
 

The Dan

The Dude Abides
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Vendor
Joined
Jul 8, 2009
Messages
1,256
Location
Watertown SD
Bike
2009 ST1300 ABS
STOC #
7982
I use a plastic garbage bag doubled up on the left side between the swing arm and tire. No air in it but bead seated. It slides in with very little effort that way. Never had to lube or spray anything that way.
 
OP
OP
Joined
Sep 25, 2022
Messages
11
Age
59
Location
89011
Mission accomplished! A local indie Harley shop mounted the tire for $20 (thanks Boulder Choppers) and with a little wiggling, I got the wheel mounted back on. Strangely enough, the width of the tire decreased after it was mounted enough for the wheel to slide in the swing arm with no grinding or rubbing.
 

Attachments

Joined
Jul 15, 2023
Messages
520
Location
Mesa, AZ
Bike
VFR750F, ST1300
Mission accomplished! A local indie Harley shop mounted the tire for $20 (thanks Boulder Choppers) and with a little wiggling, I got the wheel mounted back on. Strangely enough, the width of the tire decreased after it was mounted enough for the wheel to slide in the swing arm with no grinding or rubbing.
Yep, that's because you mounted it on narrower rim than it was designed for. This pinched beads closer together, narrowed measured width and also rounded tread at contact-patch.

Size specs on this tyre is measured as mounted on 6.5" wide rim.

CA3F0045-D819-47A2-9633-73F9D01003CD.png

General rule-of-thumb is width changes by 1/2 of change in rim-width. So going from 6.5" rim to 5.0" is 1.5. One/half that is 0.75". So original 8.4" width on 6.5" rim becomes 8.4-0.75 = 7.65" width on 5" rim. Enough to clear! :)
 
Last edited:

Sadlsor

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Joined
Jan 15, 2020
Messages
4,289
Age
66
Location
Birmingham, Alabama
Bike
2008 ST1300A
STOC #
9065
Mission accomplished! A local indie Harley shop mounted the tire for $20 (thanks Boulder Choppers) and with a little wiggling, I got the wheel mounted back on.
That looks bizarre. Everything about it (from the picture) looks asymmetrical to me.
I still see a CT in my future...
 

ST Gui

240Robert
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Joined
Sep 12, 2011
Messages
9,284
Location
SF-Oakland CA
Bike
ST1300, 2010
That looks bizarre. Everything about it (from the picture) looks asymmetrical to me.
Indeed. Looking at two of those mounted at one end of a car would they be mirror images of each other? I'd probably buy a different tire just so it looked "normal" to me. :D
 
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