Rear Tire Cupping and making a lot of noise
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,001
From: Charleston, SC
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-inc...ane-66620.html
Jack the bike up in the rear.
With a friend at the controls, start the bike and put it in second gear. Just let the bike idle and the tire spin.
Wear some protective gear, face shield, gloves etc.
Put the rasp face up under the tire with one end touching the floor.
Lift the rasp up with the handle to touch the spinning tire and it will begin shaving the high spots of the tire.
Shave off all the cupping until the tire is perfectly smooth again...
Super Easy and literally takes minutes.
Last edited by lp; Sep 5, 2017 at 06:36 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1,908
From: East Coast, USA
I'm pretty sure any new tire will be much smoother than a motorcycle tire that has 12,000 miles on it. I don't think the tire brand would make any difference.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 992
Likes: 130
From: Maple City, Michigan
I just took a handheld rasp-board and shaved the high edge off a little. Took all of 15 minutes....not perfectly quiet but seems to have reduced the noise by about 50% or more. Tire looks good for another 3-4000. I have 13000 on original now.
Redneck approach but haven't found a downside.
Redneck approach but haven't found a downside.
Stage II
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
I have a 16 Street Glide with 4k miles. It has been in for service four times for a clanking sound from the motor and a vibration at highway speeds. They found a loose rear shock and said the vibration was from tire cupping. I asked what caused it and was told they didn't know. For master techs to say they don't know really took away the faith I had in them. The third time I picked it up they said the clanking was the compensator so they shimmed it. It was still doing it so it went back. When I picked it up the clanking was gone. Loose heat shield. When I was driving home the gear shifter fell off and it still vibrates.
I called Harley Corporate and a was given a case number and told they would replace the tire. The dealer called a couple days later and said nope!
At this point I just want to know what's causing the vibration.
I called Harley Corporate and a was given a case number and told they would replace the tire. The dealer called a couple days later and said nope!
At this point I just want to know what's causing the vibration.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 758
Likes: 134
From: Florida Panhandle
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-inc...ane-66620.html
Jack the bike up in the rear.
With a friend at the controls, start the bike and put it in second gear. Just let the bike idle and the tire spin.
Wear some protective gear, face shield, gloves etc.
Put the rasp face up under the tire with one end touching the floor.
Lift the rasp up with the handle to touch the spinning tire and it will begin shaving the high spots of the tire.
Shave off all the cupping until the tire is perfectly smooth again...
Super Easy and literally takes minutes.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,586
Likes: 6,435
From: Honah Lee
Probably safe to ride to the closest Harley dealer at 45 and have then replaced and dynamic balance new one. Quality premium name brand and no bead BS. Cut your losses and live long and prosper. (Then is the time to inspect rubber seal on wheel bearings and using a finger to detect smoothness and no play.) but I doubt that is you probably. The wheel was probably not balanced correctly and once cup starts, there is no stopping it. Even balancing it will not help it.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 6, 2017 at 12:53 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,001
From: Charleston, SC
I've done over 10 tires this way. Mostly guys I ride with. I always get thanked. People can't believe what a difference it makes - in so little time, with so little effort.