Okay they aren't really dancing shoes but Max will be doing the twist(ies) in them.
I was still running the stock Dunlop Qualifiers on Max and had just over 5500 miles on them. The wear bars were starting to get awfully close on the rear and we figured they probably had about 1,000 miles of life left in them.
Great, except for the fact we'll be doing at least 1500 miles this coming up weekend for the IMBC. We figured we'd best be prudent and order and mount new ones prior to leaving. The rear was also quite squared off so handling should be improved with the new Shinkos.
The new Gladius tires arrived Friday so Troubadour and I installed them yesterday. I did help him some, but you know he did the bulk of the work. I was really good at toting and fetching and I can stand on a tire and hold it down with the best of them.
A few years ago he made a bead breaker bar, a box to hold the tire, and a spin balancer that work really well. He described some of it in this post. Click ---> link. Here are a few pictures from our day.
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| (Securing the wheel on the box) |
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| (Breaking the bead) |
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| (Putting on the new tire) |
While we had the front wheel off the bike he also took the opportunity to attach the Fenda Extenda with the supplied stainless steel screws. Until now we'd just gone with the adhesive method so we didn't have to remove the wheel. Here is a pic of him grinding off the pointy end of the screws.
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| (Grinding pointy ends of screws) |
The old and new rear tires compared......
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| (Left - new Shinko: Right - stock Dunlop) |
.......and taking inspiration from Dar, aka Mistress Scooterpie, and her 'Shoes Glorious Shoes' post I shall include one picture of fancy shoes on the bike (not that I'd ever ride in heels). Seeing as how Max's footpegs are further to the back of the bike, I couldn't get the same angle for the picture as Dar so I improvised.
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| (Frame sliders can double as highway pegs) |
I think mounting the tires was the last bit of prep work for Max before the big trip. We still have packing to sort out, but as long as I have my toothbrush and lipstick I'm set. I think even the route to Baker City has been agreed upon - 340 miles (547 km) not as far as I thought for day one. I finally looked at a map last week sometime. At least it wasn't last minute.
Four more sleeps until we hit the road.
- Au Revoir
"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." - St. Augustine
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I am anxiously awaiting Scarlet's new shoe still. LOVE YOUR SHOES!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely looks like Max was in need of new shoes!
And why did I think you already had the new shoes on Scarlet?
DeleteChanging tyres on a road bike requires dedication! And strong hands. I have always taken the wimpy route and had them fitted for me as I would hate to break a nail. ;-) Nice shoes too.
ReplyDeleteThere may have even been a little cursing going on. The back tyre was definitely easier than the front tyre. At least we got the tough one out of the way first.
DeleteYou can't go past some "verbal lubricant" to ease the way. I use it liberally when required. :0
DeleteYikes! Makes me sad to think of Bella's tires eventually getting like that :o) I like the ankle too :o)
ReplyDeleteWith your commute - sooner rather than later Bella will need new shoes. But hey it gives you an excuse to buy a tire changer to go with your new trailer.....
DeleteHome tyre fitting gear is hardcore! Great to see.
ReplyDeleteI hesitate to say it is fun, but Troubadour's system definitely works.
Deletenice shoes!!!!!!!!!! all of 'em!!!!!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks mq.
DeleteSo, a couple of things. One, when you hear a brand like Shinko you think, well, you just don't feel warm and fuzzy. Given your picture, though, I don't know, why not? I think Raptor used to run Shinkos and he was a bleedin' maniac. If it's good enough for him it's probably good enough for the sane. Two, your Troub makes me feel a bit pathetic with his tire replacement. I read that blog and thought good god, who would actually do that? I'll do my oil, the brakes, redo clutches, hell, I rebuilt a whole motor once, but tires? Pfft. I'm a wuss. Cool readup though, makes me want to do it. Someday.
ReplyDeleteBrady
Behind Bars
The word Shinko may not warm the cockles of your heart but when Troubadour can not only scrape pegs but his engine guard too at cornering clinics and advance rider training classes while Lucy is wearing Shinkos, I'm sold. They are quite popular around here and quite a few of our riding friends love them. Off the top of my head, it is mostly Tiger riders though. We'll see how they do I am just hoping they wear longer/better than the Dunlops.
DeleteThe first tire is always they hardest. Come on Brady - you know you want to. I think our record was finding a flaw in a tire about 3 miles from home, riding home, taking off the gear, and changing a tire on his Triumph America, re-gearing up and being back on the road in half an hour and still catching up to the group we were with when they stopped. Of course cruiser tires are easier to change he's found.
Trobairitz:
ReplyDeleteNice shoes, nice tatoo, nice ankles . . . but I thought you couldn't wear heals ?
Never thought of you as a deorative paperweight. Oh, nearly forgot, nice tires too
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
It is best that I don't wear heels because of my ankle but I do own them and wear them on occasion. These just happen to be the Christmas Party pair, we haven't gone to a Christmas Party in quite a few years so I had to dust them off for the photo.
DeleteIf the heel is a certain height it makes my ankle give out on any random step. If it is higher or lower than that magic height they are pretty good. And if they are higher than 2" tall, then I am taller than hubby.
I have a pair of sandals that I love that have a 2 inch heel. Haven't worn them yet this year though.
Not a decorative paper weight - tire weight, lol. Not everyone can balance on a tire balanced on a box made of 2x6s while wearing slippery sandals. It is an art form. Maybe I should have been in bare feet.......
Nice job! Oh, and nice shoes too...
ReplyDeleteThanks Erik. See you Friday!!
DeleteLooks like you have been getting those heels down on the corners !
ReplyDeleteNow that's funny!!
DeleteWhat... new shoes? I was looking forward to see a set of Pirelli Mt60's fitted to it...then we can go tearing off through the woods....and they come in exactly your size....
ReplyDeleteRound tires are so nice....no more flat spot in the middle..
Hey I've been threatening to put knobbies on him for a while now. He is longing to be a dual sport.
DeleteBrad tells me it will be like riding a new bike with no more flat spot.
Nice shoes for Max. I'm sure they will ride much smoother than the GS'...they are lugged like tractor tires!! Get them scrubbed in before hitting the twisters. And have fun at the IMBC.
ReplyDeleteWe have 40 miles across the flat valley before getting to the passes and Cascade mountains so they should be scrubbed in by then.
DeleteWe'll have fun at the IMBC - but we wish you were going to be there. At least you still managed a riding vacation. Has the rain finally stopped?
Never heard of the brand but the way you describe that your hubby sticks to the tarmac I am sold. So nice to have a handy hubby around...
ReplyDeleteWell, see your in a few days. Weather forecast had some talk of rain in the area but hey, aren't we used to that?
I am very lucky to have a handy hubby. I try to help, but I think sometimes I am just in the way. I am good at fetching tools so he doesn't have to keep getting up and down.
DeleteThreats of thunderstorms on Friday but weather in the 80's for the rest of the weekend. We'll see. See you Friday.
My Grandpa was a cobbler-upper. Even if he bought something, he always seem to have to re-engineer it and make it better. I'm thinking he'd like Troubadour. Nicely done write-up. I've somehow managed to get over 10K miles on my Gazelles. I've no doubt Max will fill much different with the new tires. Enjoy! I'm so looking forward to hearing about the gathering.
ReplyDelete~k
It sounds as though Brad and your Grandpawould get along great. Brad is really good at seeing something and being able to duplicate/fabricate oneof his own.
DeleteGreat mileage off the Gazelles. I wonder if that is due to the lighter weight of Billie or type of riding/tires.
We are looking forward to the gathering. It will be interesting to see all the different ride reports and pics from one event.
All a gal needs is a great mechanic, or a handy hubby. Glad to see you got the new shoes, there's a lot riding on it. See you at the IMBC.
ReplyDeleteI am very lucky to have a handy hubby. I'd be lost without him for sure.
DeleteHave a great ride into Oregon and we'll see you Friday.
Awesome pics. Makes me wonder why I never married so I can have my own personal mechanic! Drat! Cant wait to hear all about your trip!!! Safe Travels!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jess. It is nice having a personal mechanic and pool boy. Oh wait, we don't have a pool.
DeleteIt works both ways though, he has a personal cook and a maid.
Hopefully you will be able to go around corners now!
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip
You mean I don't have to travel only in straight lines anymore? Good to know. :-)
DeleteTheres nothing like a new pair of hoops to transform the handling of your bike. You need some toe sliders on those shoes.
ReplyDeleteI hear it will be like a new bike and I am excited for our long rides this weekend.
DeleteToe Sliders...... with the platforms on the bottoms of those shoes you'd think they'd act like toe sliders..... well until you touched toes anyway. ouch.
I'd say you were due for new shoes! I'm jealous that y'all get to visit together. I'll be there in spirit!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be thinking of you. Maybe someone over there needs to set up a mid-west/east coast version of it and see what you can come up with. You never know how many people will be able to go. Lots of moto-bloggers out that way.
DeleteTrobairitz:
ReplyDeletenot that I am staring at that last photo, BUT, what is that thing stuck to the top of your radiator ? If it doesn't fall off on Friday on your way, I'm going to check it out.
a lot of magic happens at your place. I was just thinking that when you are ready to leave on Friday MAX will magically already be parked, pointing the right way ready for you to leave.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube
There is in fact something on the radiator cover. I was wondering if anyone would notice.
DeleteIt will not come off by Friday, it is on there for the duration. It is a Jibbitz from the Croc store that we(Brad) cut the back attachment off of to make it smooth and then glued it on as a farkle. You'll see it Friday and can tell what it is then.
And yes the bike is already magically pointed the right direction ready to go.
enjoy the new tires. I always love a fresh set. I am a huge qualifier and now Q2 fan. I've had more than 6 sets on my SV now. I hope you enjoy the shinkos and your upcoming ride!
ReplyDeleteI am sure the tires will be great. No more flat spot, yay.
DeleteWow, that is a lot of sets of Qualifier Q2s.
I have put almost 50,000 on it since I bought it ;)
DeleteThink my GT is also getting near to having a new pair of shoe's !!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry Tyres I mean. LOL.......