The Everything Fat Bob Thread
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 420
From: Santa Fe NM
Ive done 650 Miles now, and Im hearing a weird noise from the front of the bike (it seems to be the front anyway).
Its a sort of tinny, rasping sound which is there intermittently on acceleration and deceleration. The best way I can describe it is like spinning the wheel of a skateboard, hearing the bearings move.
Has anyone come across anything like that?
Its a sort of tinny, rasping sound which is there intermittently on acceleration and deceleration. The best way I can describe it is like spinning the wheel of a skateboard, hearing the bearings move.
Has anyone come across anything like that?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 34
Likes: 3
From: Reading UK
When you hear this try putting your hand or a couple of fingers on your gas cap. It may just be the gas cap rattle. I started hearing a similar noise on mine and after reading that the gas cap tends to rattle it put my finger on it when I heard it while riding and it stopped. It doesn't sound like a typical rattle but more like you described. I just give it a twist until it clicks again and it seems to stop for a while.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 60
From: North Georgia
Tire Options
I'm getting fairly close to needing new tires. I know there has been some discussion earlier in the thread about tires, but have any of y'all pulled the trigger on installing new tires other than the stock Dunlops?
Just looking for input so I can do my research before buying.
Just looking for input so I can do my research before buying.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 3,126
From: Texas
Just curious -- how many miles before you needed a new set?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 60
From: North Georgia
They've got some life left in them, but I want to go ahead and plan for my next set. I'm pushing about 10k miles.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 239
Likes: 76
From: Arkansas
I have 14K on mine. The front has a real bad humming sound from the knobby bits wearing weird. I can't feel it riding but pushing it around my garage feels like pushing a motocross bike around. Both tires still have a significant amount of tread left.
The front rim hasn't changed from last year's Fat Bob, which had a 130/90-16 tire. Most tire manufacturers recommend a 130-width tire for a 3" rim. I plan to put on a Dunlop Elite 4 both front and rear with the front being 130/90-16 bias and the rear a 180/70-16 radial. I have had Elite 4 tires in the past and I like how they wear and handle. The 130 up front will be slightly narrower than the OEM tire. If anything, it will improve the steering a bit.
https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.co...-line/elite-4/
The front rim hasn't changed from last year's Fat Bob, which had a 130/90-16 tire. Most tire manufacturers recommend a 130-width tire for a 3" rim. I plan to put on a Dunlop Elite 4 both front and rear with the front being 130/90-16 bias and the rear a 180/70-16 radial. I have had Elite 4 tires in the past and I like how they wear and handle. The 130 up front will be slightly narrower than the OEM tire. If anything, it will improve the steering a bit.
https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.co...-line/elite-4/
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,242
Likes: 3,126
From: Texas
Glad to hear it. I am close to 5,000 miles and the tires look fine. I know some tires wear out in no time at all, but these seem like they would go 10,000 or so, so thanks for confirming.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 343
Likes: 21
I also went with a 130 front tire, with the expectation that it would help quicken turn in, which it did. I also extended the shock to get the bike more on it's nose. That also helped.
The bike in stock form was good, but wasn't great. And I think a couple of changes really helped in the handling department.
Mids also helped in quicker body placement.
The bike in stock form was good, but wasn't great. And I think a couple of changes really helped in the handling department.
Mids also helped in quicker body placement.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 207
Likes: 60
From: North Georgia
I have 14K on mine. The front has a real bad humming sound from the knobby bits wearing weird. I can't feel it riding but pushing it around my garage feels like pushing a motocross bike around. Both tires still have a significant amount of tread left.
The front rim hasn't changed from last year's Fat Bob, which had a 130/90-16 tire. Most tire manufacturers recommend a 130-width tire for a 3" rim. I plan to put on a Dunlop Elite 4 both front and rear with the front being 130/90-16 bias and the rear a 180/70-16 radial. I have had Elite 4 tires in the past and I like how they wear and handle. The 130 up front will be slightly narrower than the OEM tire. If anything, it will improve the steering a bit.
https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.co...-line/elite-4/
The front rim hasn't changed from last year's Fat Bob, which had a 130/90-16 tire. Most tire manufacturers recommend a 130-width tire for a 3" rim. I plan to put on a Dunlop Elite 4 both front and rear with the front being 130/90-16 bias and the rear a 180/70-16 radial. I have had Elite 4 tires in the past and I like how they wear and handle. The 130 up front will be slightly narrower than the OEM tire. If anything, it will improve the steering a bit.
https://www.dunlopmotorcycletires.co...-line/elite-4/