Tires - Page 2

JunkyardDog · 07-02-2010, 12:16 PM

The main issue with bicycle computers on motorcycles is the little magent that attaches to the spoke is made for bicycle spokes, not huge motorcycle spokes. Also, form my experience with bicycle computers, the pickup sensor, which must be zip tied to the front fork, has to be very close to the magnet, which would probably be hard to do on a motorcycle.

There are computers made for motorcycles, one called Vapor something, that are popular with off road riders. But for less than the price of one of those, I can get a $100 GPS, a $20 mount, and be done with it. The GPS can do a lot more than measure speed, and can be taken off and used on other vehicles too. Jerry.

**Twister** · 07-02-2010, 11:35 PM

I remember I mounted mine on the rear tire of the lambretta. Lambrettas don't even have spokes, but I glued it with JB weld It came with a counter-weight, that I didn't use. The reason I couldn't mount it on the front is the weird front suspension. The rear has a one arm shaft. Everything is on that side, including the single rear shock. Had two springs on the rear one on the pivot point where the whole engine, transmision, shaft, and final drive gear would pivot as one single. The other spring was wrapped around the shock, just like the rebel. I rode It a couple times without the rear shock, it felt spongy. Mounted the sensor on inside of the wing arm. The other side of the wheel has nothing, you can only see the tire and wheel. I believe these bicycle speedos ar cheaper. I'm fixing to find out. It has been many years since I bought one. If I go that route I keep you posted af far as pricing and accuracy versus GPS. GPS is very accurate, but not the most accurate, when you are accelerating, depending on the unit you are using, is is always 1/2 to 1 second behing. In other words it calculates your position (through triangulation) at a set interval which is every .5 or 1 second the old ones are even run every 2 seconds. Once it has the second position, it calculates the speed, but it only gives you an "instant" speed every second or so. These bicycle speedos work more like a normal speedo. You inflate your tire to your normal pressure, load the bike with the normal weight including yourself on it, to replicate the flex on the bottom of the tire, with the engine off you roll the bike till you have the air stem @ 6 o'clock and mark the floor with a chalk, roll the loaded bike one revolution until the stem -or another chalk mark on the tire- is at 6 o'clock again. Measure the distance between the two marks on the asphalt, input that input into the tinny computer. The magnet/sensor don't need to be close to the edege or close to the bearing, you can set the anywhere you want/can as long as they are very close (cutting through the magnetic field) to each other every time the tire turns. Of course closer to the bearing the less you affect the balance. These are the most accurate type, there are other types that you just input the diameter of your tire instead of the exact circumference. The computer will give you a reading every time it completes a revolution, so the faster you go, the closer your intervals are between your "instant" readings.

I hope I didn't confuse you/bored with that, going back to the Dunlop D404. Who sells them the cheapest including shiping? What is the best tube out there?

**Fridgitator** · 07-02-2010, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twister

I remember I mounted mine on the rear tire of the lambretta. Lambrettas don't even have spokes, but I glued it with JB weld It came with a counter-weight, that I didn't use. The reason I couldn't mount it on the front is the weird front suspension. The rear has a one arm shaft. Everything is on that side, including the single rear shock. Had two springs on the rear one on the pivot point where the whole engine, transmision, shaft, and final drive gear would pivot as one single. The other spring was wrapped around the shock, just like the rebel. I rode It a couple times without the rear shock, it felt spongy. Mounted the sensor on inside of the wing arm. The other side of the wheel has nothing, you can only see the tire and wheel. I believe these bicycle speedos ar cheaper. I'm fixing to find out. It has been many years since I bought one. If I go that route I keep you posted af far as pricing and accuracy versus GPS. GPS is very accurate, but not the most accurate, when you are accelerating, depending on the unit you are using, is is always 1/2 to 1 second behing. In other words it calculates your position (through triangulation) at a set interval which is every .5 or 1 second the old ones are even run every 2 seconds. Once it has the second position, it calculates the speed, but it only gives you an "instant" speed every second or so. These bicycle speedos work more like a normal speedo. You inflate your tire to your normal pressure, load the bike with the normal weight including yourself on it, to replicate the flex on the bottom of the tire, with the engine off you roll the bike till you have the air stem @ 6 o'clock and mark the floor with a chalk, roll the loaded bike one revolution until the stem -or another chalk mark on the tire- is at 6 o'clock again. Measure the distance between the two marks on the asphalt, input that input into the tinny computer. The magnet/sensor don't need to be close to the edege or close to the bearing, you can set the anywhere you want/can as long as they are very close (cutting through the magnetic field) to each other every time the tire turns. Of course closer to the bearing the less you affect the balance. These are the most accurate type, there are other types that you just input the diameter of your tire instead of the exact circumference. The computer will give you a reading every time it completes a revolution, so the faster you go, the closer your intervals are between your "instant" readings.

Makes sense. I also like the idea that there's nothing for anyone to steal or worry about getting wet.

JunkyardDog · 07-04-2010, 04:39 PM

There are unfortunately no good tubes out there that will fit the Rebel. Bridgestone and I believe Michelin makes some great tubes, 4mm thick, but they only come in dirt bike sizes. I have no idea why they don't make them in all sizes, seems to me they could sell millions of them. These tubes are so thick that sometimes sealer will work in them. They are thick enough not to pop like a balloon when punctured, ripping a huge hole in them. If you get stopped before whatever punctured them wiggles around and cuts them up, they can also usually be patched. I have never seen a decent quality street tube, so I just get the cheapest.

While on the subject of tires, as far as the decent brands go, I really don't think one brand is better than any other for the Rebel. They will all work the same. The Rebel does not put much demands on it's tires. I do recommend staying with stock sizes, or very close. The cheaper brands, like IRC, Kenda, and Cheng Shin will also work fine, in stock sizes, though they may not last as long. Speed rating is not a concern, because the Rebel does not go fast enough to exceed the speed rating on any DOT approved street motorcycle tire. I have put over 6,000 hard miles (about 70% on dirt roads and trails) on the Cheng Shin tires on my XT225, with the super heavy duty 4mm tubes in them, and they look only halfway worn out. I figure they will last 10,000 miles, and these are CHEAP tires, $34 for the rear, $28 for the front. I do keep them inflated to the pressure listed on the sidewall, both to make them last longer, and to help prevent rim damage off road. Jerry.

**flitecontrol** · 07-09-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twister

the Dunlop D404. Who sells them the cheapest including shiping?

Jake Wilson and (I forget the name of their sister business) generally have the cheapest prices on tires. I didn't look to see if they have the tire you want in stock. You can check at jakewilson.com

**Twister** · 07-11-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flitecontrol

Jake Wilson and (I forget the name of their sister business) generally have the cheapest prices on tires. I didn't look to see if they have the tire you want in stock. You can check at jakewilson.com

Thanks Flite

**flitecontrol** · 07-11-2010, 04:46 PM

Oops, should have mentioned they usually have a discount code. Look here: http://www.deals365.us/Jakewilson.com-coupons-codes

**Twister** · 07-11-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flitecontrol

Oops, should have mentioned they usually have a discount code. Look here: http://www.deals365.us/Jakewilson.com-coupons-codes

Thanks X 2

**flitecontrol** · 07-11-2010, 06:20 PM

Glad to be of assistance!

**Twister** · 07-16-2010, 11:32 AM

UPS is out for delivery today. Will apreciate any advice, tricks, tips on how to replace a tire. I've done bicycle tires before. Got my 10" spoons at Northern tool, they don't advertise that size on their web site, I like them, 'cuz they fit great in the tank bag and the edges are perfectly smooth. I'm planning to use electrical tape before installing the new rubber liner unless you guys advise against it. I'll try the dynabeads also. Will sure apreciate your input/comments.

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