82 gs450txz - new front tire rubs fender

[bren]

there's only one tire i could buy that will fit this bike. the manual recommends 90/90-19, the only tire you can get is 100/90-19. The tire is called Durotour RS-310F.

now i've found that the tire doesn't quite fit under the fender. I don't want to run with no fender, but I can't see any simple solution to make this one fit without modifying it. it appears to be rubbing at the sharp edge of the tire where the tread meets the sidewall. As well as one or two strips of the tread itself. It appears that even if the fender could be raised that it wouldn't make a difference as it would still rub the sides.

has anyone run into this kind of problem or have any ideas? I'm not even sure how I would go about modifying the fender.

[rphillips]

motorcycle tire size chart MJ90/19 = 90/90/19-- is 2.75" to 3.00" wide. MM90/19 = 100/90/19-- is 3.25" to 3.50" wide. Shinko shows the size you need. If you could raise the fender enough, probably look odd. No other advice. Good luck.

[bren]

motorcycle tire size chart MJ90/19 = 90/90/19-- is 2.75" to 3.00" wide. MM90/19 = 100/90/19-- is 3.25" to 3.50" wide. Shinko shows the size you need. If you could raise the fender enough, probably look odd. No other advice. Good luck.

dang. you're right. when i bought tires a couple of months ago, they were out of stock of everything. I took it as a sign that they were not gonna make exact tires for old bikes anymore. The tires that were installed from the previous owner were bridgestone 100/90's and they fit. but who knows, maybe they 'self-clearanced' or are slightly narrower ... man I'm torn. I should probably buy one of those shinko's but I hate that I wasted the money on a tire that doesn't fit.

how much more Stupid Tax am I gonna have to pay on this bike!

alright, i bought the tire. Gah! maybe i won't need a new tube and rim strip at least since they've never been down the road...

[Rob S.]

Cheer up. Look at it this way: if the tire didn't play nice with the stock fender, it also would not provide absolutely neutral stock steering geometry. And unless your name is Kevin Cameron, I would not trust that you can improve on the stock steering and suspension geometry.

[LAB3]

I've had the exact same bike and a similar problem with the front tire. Since my idea from the beginning was to be able to run back roads I went with dual sport tires, the first being a Kenda K761 which barely fit and managed to completely lock up when covered in mud due to practically zero clearance. The second was a great tire, the Continental Trail Attack 2 which was on the bike when I sold (actually traded) it. Unfortunately that tire is no longer available. In between I ran a Shinko 777 which was actually a great road tire, not so much off road. All of them where size 100/90-19, there definitely are variations between manufacturers.

As to what you have now I'd be inclined to use some 80 grit sandpaper to shave the edge off the tire to make it fit. Some would cringe at that idea and if it's something you're not willing to try then go with the Shinko 777. Avoid Kenda at all.cost, they turn downright evil in the wet!

[bren]

yea, thanks fellas. I bought another tire. maybe i can sell the other one on craigslist or something.

i slightly considered sanding down the tire but I was really not inclined to try my luck with modifying the actual rubber ... now that I know i can get the 90/90 tire that the bike wants, i'm much happier to run it anyway. I definitely want the bike to handle how it's meant to.

[Rob S.]

...use some 80 grit sandpaper to shave the edge off the tire to make it fit. Some would cringe at that idea...

I'm cringing, I'm cringing!

[rphillips]

Shaving and truing auto tires is a thing, not sure with motorcycle tires.

[Rob S.]

Shaving and truing auto tires is a thing, not sure with motorcycle tires.

I used to do that with my cars and bikes. While riding.

[bren]

I used to do that with my cars and bikes. While riding.

yea see, self clearancing tires is not what i'm going for!