Tyre questions

[Colin1958]

I thought it best to apply to the experts as I am a Harley no-nothing newbie.

I have a 2005 Softail Deluxe which needs a new rear tyre. The current tyre is a Harley/Dunlop D402 MU85 B16 77H whitewall and I am happy with the way the tyre handles so would like to swap like for like, but it says "Tubeless on Tube Rim-fit tube" on the side of the tyre, so

Question 1 - what is a Rim-fit tube?

Question 2 - where can I get one? Google isn't helping.

In addition, neither of my tyre pressure gauges reads more than 22psi and the pro who did the MOT had the same issue, even though the tyres feel solid and the bike seems to handle well, so I am assuming a previous owner has fitted mousses or a similar "system".

Question 3 - isn't that illegal on road tyres?

I have really nice chrome rim wire wheels, so

Question 4 - Any idea where I could get tyres fitted by someone who knows what they are doing and won't damage the wheels? I live 17 miles south-east of Plymouth and the Plymouth Harley dealer went bankrupt a while back.

All help and advice will be gratefully received.

Cheers,
Colin

Cheer

 

[JJH]

I can answer no.1 it means to me that you can use the tyer with a tube. JJH

 

[JJH]

I think I’ve answered no.2 JJH

 

[JJH]

22 psi is still a good bit of pressure. I remember as a teenager pumping petrol. In those days we checked tyer pressures. A lot of cars were around 24 psi. So I’d suggest you let all the air out and see if it’s still hard. Just make sure you have a way of pumping it up. JJH

 

[JJH]

Nice lookin bike. JJH

 

[twizzle]

Tyre markers mean as standard, that tyre can be used with tubes if rim does not support tubeless.

Yours will have a tube no doubt.


The HD Dunlops have such a stiff side wall you could have 10psi and still feel stiff…. That tyre should have 40 psi in for solo use - 42psi 2 up….

You must have a dicky valve in your tube or a dodgy pressure gauge… at 22psi the handling will dreadful… Harleys are very tuned to Tyre pressure….

If you change to Avon Cobras you will get better handling, although they do not last as long..

 

[twizzle]

Ref your wheels … they are chrome, any tyre fitter working on painted rims will find these a walk in the park

 

[Colin1958]

The HD Dunlops have such a stiff side wall you could have 10psi and still feel stiff…. That tyre should have 40 psi in for solo use - 42psi 2 up….

You must have a dicky valve in your tube or a dodgy pressure gauge… at 22psi the handling will dreadful… Harleys are very tuned to Tyre pressure….

The 22psi reading has been taken by me on both tyres using 2 gauges and once by a pro using the workshop gauge. It would be unusual for both tyres to have a sticky valve reading the same from 3 gauges. The mechanic agreed that there must be mousses or a "system" being used, and the handling seems fine. I guess I'll find out when we swap the tyre.

 

[Colin1958]

Ref your wheels … they are chrome, any tyre fitter working on painted rims will find these a walk in the park

I didn't realise that - thanks for your responses, I just need to get a tyre and tube.

 

[Colin1958]

Well, the new tyre is on and mystery solved.

The spoked wheels have been converted to tubeless, but the valve had been snapped in half, with the inner end of the valve left inside the tyre. The upper half was jammed, so no air could get in or out. As I didn't have a spare valve I had a SMV tube fitted in the tyre. The fitter said he'd never seen that before. I suspect the front tyre is the same.

In order to remove/re-fit the rear wheel I have had to expand my tool collection to include a belt deflection measure and an axle alignment gauge - these are not things I ever expected to buy. Onwards and upwards!