New Parts . . .

After giving up the jockey shift idea, I realized I needed to get a few new parts for the ol' scoot. My shift linkage is old and worn out, like me, I guess LOL.

New parts on order are: at the transmission I'm replacing the shift drum cover with shifter arm and 13 1/2" rod. On the forward control I'm replacing the inner shifter/shaft with a splined one, and a splined lever. I'm hoping these parts will take up some of the slack in the linkage, plus they will look good, too. Next week, I'm getting a new rear tire.

My front tire was replaced a couple of weeks ago and I decided then to not put beads or Ride-On in the tires. Just running 'em both normally with weights on the rims.

I guess that is what happens when you under inflate a tire.

Well, maybe. I didn't run them underinflated until fairly recently. A lot of rigid framed riders typically ride at least the rear tire underinflated for a softer ride. I suppose it will wear the tire out sooner, but my rear tire wore out a LOT sooner because it wasn't balanced. There are places where the tread is still quite deep and others where it's worn down almost bald.

My wheel man tells me I'm riding a "doughnut" right now LOL. Can't wait till I get the new tire on. He says I will notice a reduction in the vibration being transmitted to the frame.

Back troubles ain't wussing out, Cowboy. I've had 'em since the early 80s. I suppose some shocks on my frame would be more comfortable, but I don't ride really long distances anymore - maybe 40 or 50 miles a day average, and I break those miles up stopping here and there. So I can still enjoy riding without beating myself up too much LOL. Here's something funny - my chiropractor tells me riding the rigid is actually good for my back as the vibration stimulates bone growth and promotes muscle tone - who woulda thunk? But I must keep the spine straight - no slumping LOL.

When I get the rear tire I'll run it 4 lbs. under. I run the front a little soft, too, about 2 lbs. under now. It seems to stick a little better in the curves.

Panhead Billy uses truck tires on the back of his bike. Saw him on a video when he came thru Wheels thru Time for a visit.

Me? I don't think so . . .

Hmmm . . . the darkside. Not for me, I think, and in more ways than one . Since watching the videos and reading more about car or truck rear tires on bikes, it sounds feasable. One thing you can't deny is that a rider would have way more contact patch on the road when upright. I was surprised to see how much of the tire contacted the road when in a turn.

The Avon I run in the back is considered a "flat" tire by Boots, my wheel man, though it is slightly curved . . .

Is it curved 360*?

I meant the cross section curve LOL. New Avon 5x16 is on the rim and in a few minutes I'll mount the wheel on the bike and take a ride . . .

Went for a chilly ride this morning testing out the new rear tire. Dang if the ride isn't smoother - I can feel a difference. The tread on the new tire is 3/8" deep. I had a 1/16" left on the old tire after only 6ooo miles. In the area where it was worn the worst, the tire was bald. Unbelievable.

I hope I get better milage out of this new one . . .

Hey, where are all the funny little faces?

Thanks - figured it out yesterday about the smile icon. I got to signature, but from there I don't know what to do. Don't know how to find the picture - there's no browse feature to bring it up like before.

I think I'm staying with 6 lbs. under front & rear. That's about 83% of the recommended tire pressure. They are working very well right now . What happened to the animated icons? More choices isn't necessarily better, and most of them are just plain silly. I know I'm nit-picking, but I liked some of the features we had before on our forum.

You should at least run the front tire up to spec since you have hydraulic front suspension,no benefit running it low...I'd also try the rear up to spec just to see how it feels,you have springs in your seat,right??As far as I can remember guys running hardtails just ran the rear tire a couple of pounds under....
Also agree with you,I liked the old site better

Running the rear tire under is less jarring on the frame, motor, etc. Ran the rear & front up to spec all last year. I'm looking for a little more contact with the road and I feel more confident riding them this way. Besides, doesn't the air pressure increase as the tires warm up?

When the fronts on King and Heritage were under I could feel the difference in cornering and handling.... Yes, the pressure increases when they heat up,but the cold spec allows for that....if your cold spec is 40psi it would heat up to approx 44psi which would be how the manufacturer intended it to run...if you only pumped it up to 36psi cold it wouldn't raise to 44psi hot,you'd still be running soft...

I keep my tires as close to recommended psi all the time, anything else is living dangerous, tire manufactory's have lot of R & D in making tires, so I try and do as listed in the spec's.