Several of you have asked for a report on my installation of the Metzler ME880 160/80-16 on my bike so here it is.

Once mounted on the wheel, the 160 will install on the 04 & up Sporty without any problem or modification. I'll note here that I am running 11.5" Progressive shocks so I cant speak to issues regarding fitment with 11" or lower. The fit, going on is pretty snug as you work the tire in. The right tire sidewall tight against the right side of the swingarm and the tires left sidewall snuggly rubbing against the brake caliper, but is does go in, and once the tire sidewall clears the brake caliper, you're home free.

The Metzler PDF guide which indicated this tire would fit, carries this special note, "special tire fitment on OE rim". I could never get an explanation of what this really meant but I think I sort of found out.

I removed my old tire & wheel from the bike and along with the new tire, carried them to my local (one man) indy shop for him to mount and balance the tire. The new tire went on the rim without any problem, but when we tried to inflate it to get the tire bead to seat and seal to the rim, it was a no go. The tire just refused to pop and make the seal. My indy, being an old-timer pan and shovel head guy, say's not to worry, I've seen this chit before and know how to take care of it. He lays the wheel flat on the floor and bends down with one knee pressing in against the sidewall of the tire enough to seperate the tire bead from the rim about a 1/2". He then does about a 1 second squirt of brake cleaner into the tire and onto the tire bead where it's depressed away from the rim. He gets up, and with a cigarette lighter, ignites the bead area of the tire with the brake cleaner on it. In an instant there is a loud POP (mini explosion) and the tire is firmly sealed to the wheel rim. Pretty cool huh?

Anyway, there were no real issues getting the 160 mounted on the bike. I plan to give it a 250 mile break in run tomorrow and then I'm headed to the NC/TN mountains with it next week to give it a workout on the Dragon.

Edited: for those that wanted a pic,

 

Great how-to, cHarley!

Let us know how things go with it on your trip.

Oh, yeah, have a great time and be safe - shiny side up!! [sm=happybounce.gif]

 

Any pics of the newly mounted tire...??

 

cool cool!! Can't wait to see that in a couple of weeks. I dunno that the problem with the tire seating was necessarily due to the larger size. The last Metzler rear tire I had mounted, at a similar one man indy also required the brake cleaner and cigerette lighter trick. In my case, he said it was because the tire was cold. Probably not a problem down in Southern FLA.

Now, I gotta find that thread about mounting these highway pegs....what a PITA.

 

Thanks for the info CHarley, I have 8K on the Dunlops think I'll get 880's when the time comes. Probably should change both.

 

Thanks for the review. Good info..

On a related topic, what does the indy charge you if you take a wheel and tire in there?
My indy quoted me a discounted cost of $60 to install the tire if I buy it from him.

 

For a carry-in, mount & balance he gets $20 for a front and $25 for a rear (has to remove & reinstall the rotor & belt pully on the rear).

 

I did that on a truck sitting at the gas station before(let it be known i was about 16 at the time) and it scared the hell out of me, i dont know if i used to much juice or if i should have pulled the valve stem but it was a signifigant POP and the whole tire seated except for one spot that the gasses used to escape. In a pinch i would do it again!

 

Excellent. I'm shopping for my new rear tire right now and I was planning on going with the 160...

 

When I was driving a dump truck and pulling a lowboy, we did al our own tire work. A can of starting fluid and a lighter was standard shop equipment, as well as a jet jug, which is a bit safer.