Tire Changes & Geometry Affects on Rocket Roadster

[warp9.9]

Measured mine from top center to axle center as it sat with no load.
10 thousandths one way or the other difference from resting on the kick stand or at vertical will not produce an appreciable affect.

Give me your wheel & tire sizes, wheelbase and fork length and I'll knock one our for you.

Thanks I'm still up north until probably next weekend at the earliest. As soon as I can bug out I am as there have been some decent riding days down there. I'll measure when I get there. Thanks bud

 

[Dr.D]

Hey Oldbull I’m interested in your work and studying your geometry. I’ve just ordered the Exedra Max for the rear and still deciding on the front tire. If you have follow my mods I do have front and rear upgraded suspension in addition to the motor work. I’ll ask a few questions after I look at tire sizes. I was considering the new Cobra Chrome for the front. What do you think of that tire?

 

[Kevin frazier]

Indeed. The axle height is controlled by the wheel radius, period.
The seat height and steer head angle can be changed by different wheel sizes, rear shock length & setting and front fork length & setting.

Probably a good opportunity to "qualify" my previous cad drawing. Although close enough for our purposes, it is not completely accurate.
Using the rear axle as the pivot for lowering of the front axle, the numbers change slightly because is moves down on an arc, not in a straight line perpendicular to the ground.

And just when you didn’t think it could get better boom

 

[barbagris]

Having discovered yesterday that I have finally worn out my current combo - new tyres ordered from my habitual supplier/fitter. Rear will remain the E-Max. Front will remain a 150/70R17 (rear mounted in reverse) but decided to try the Michelin Road 5 (as endorsed by @1olbull and @Claviger ).

I have a 150/70 Bridgestone on now - the BT021 has worn well though though I am not sure it is crown matched to the E-max. But it is a wee bit lacking in feedback - esp in the wet. We shall see how the Michy is - as a marque they have a reputation for EXCELLENT wet weather rubber - but at a price.

Tyres should arrive with them late today - but the place I visit has a specialist for "non-typical" tyre work (Bikes and Spoked Rim Classic Cars) and he has this weekend free. So will go Monday maybe. Seen this guy work and he is worth waiting for!.

 

[Cav Man]

Having discovered yesterday that I have finally worn out my current combo - new tyres ordered from my habitual supplier/fitter. Rear will remain the E-Max. Front will remain a 150/70R17 (rear mounted in reverse) but decided to try the Michelin Road 5 (as endorsed by @1olbull and @Claviger ).

I have a 150/70 Bridgestone on now - the BT021 has worn well though though I am not sure it is crown matched to the E-max. But it is a wee bit lacking in feedback - esp in the wet. We shall see how the Michy is - as a marque they have a reputation for EXCELLENT wet weather rubber - but at a price.

Tyres should arrive with them late today - but the place I visit has a specialist for "non-typical" tyre work (Bikes and Spoked Rim Classic Cars) and he has this weekend free. So will go Monday maybe. Seen this guy work and he is worth waiting for!.

Having discovered yesterday that I have finally worn out my current combo - new tyres ordered from my habitual supplier/fitter. Rear will remain the E-Max. Front will remain a 150/70R17 (rear mounted in reverse) but decided to try the Michelin Road 5 (as endorsed by @1olbull and @Claviger ).

I have a 150/70 Bridgestone on now - the BT021 has worn well though though I am not sure it is crown matched to the E-max. But it is a wee bit lacking in feedback - esp in the wet. We shall see how the Michy is - as a marque they have a reputation for EXCELLENT wet weather rubber - but at a price.

Tyres should arrive with them late today - but the place I visit has a specialist for "non-typical" tyre work (Bikes and Spoked Rim Classic Cars) and he has this weekend free. So will go Monday maybe. Seen this guy work and he is worth waiting for!.

So I put on the same tire set up just before the snow flew but didn't get more than five miles on them. If you have any thoughts on handling differences/nuances that might be handy, please share when you have a moment Barbagris. I still have some time before I can get out again (expecting a foot of snow this weekend) but I can still anticipate

 

[John Miller]

Out of curiosity what sort of geometry change would we have with the stock rear tire and the 140/75 front - is that a worthwhile change - or not.

 

[1K9]

There are many factors affecting the posture of the bike frame. It fascinates me how such a small change at the axels makes such a difference.


My limited experience is that some tire compounds wear at different rates, have more and less traction in the wet and cost more or less $$.

For me, the Exedra Max is perfect. They are priced well, are widely available, come in the correct size, hold well in the wet or dry, look kool and everybody likes them in this forum.

They make a rear for the Valkyrie so both my rides have the same rear tire brand and model.

As far as the front... The pilot is on a rim. Have not mounted it yet.



Now I understand how girls feel staring at their shoe racks

 

[barbagris]

So I have the new Road5 and E-Max on.

Now here's a thing to ponder.

I always get my tyres from the same place - have done for 20 odd years. When I fitted the Bridgestone 150/70 rear on the front, standard lore was observed - reverse mounted.

The boss had been talking with Michelin, who apparently fully understood what we were doing and did not question it, and they had stalwartly suggested that "lore" should be ignored and that the grip and overall wear characteristics of mounting normally would far outweigh the risk of untoward stuff like de-lamination unless I was planning on doing stoppies.

In fact they had one question: How long do your front brake pads last? - Well! I replied I'm still on the originals after 45000kms and 9 years. And there is still at least that much left on them. As this is now my 5th front and 4th rear - we think it's a safe bet that I am easy on pads and deceleration forces.

So the Road5 has been fitted as per arrow. Hopefully can push some miles on tomorrow.

 

[Grumpy Ole Codger]

Ooooohhhh, go you! Buck the trend and all the advice!!

 

[warp9.9]

So I have the new Road5 and E-Max on.

Now here's a thing to ponder.

I always get my tyres from the same place - have done for 20 odd years. When I fitted the Bridgestone 150/70 rear on the front, standard lore was observed - reverse mounted.

The boss had been talking with Michelin, who apparently fully understood what we were doing and did not question it, and they had stalwartly suggested that "lore" should be ignored and that the grip and overall wear characteristics of mounting normally would far outweigh the risk of untoward stuff like de-lamination unless I was planning on doing stoppies.

In fact they had one question: How long do your front brake pads last? - Well! I replied I'm still on the originals after 45000kms and 9 years. And there is still at least that much left on them. As this is now my 5th front and 4th rear - we think it's a safe bet that I am easy on pads and deceleration forces.

So the Road5 has been fitted as per arrow. Hopefully can push some miles on tomorrow.

Cool might have to hunt around and get another front rim with one mounted. I can compare it against the 140/75battle criuse .