2018-04-14 Fat Tire Problems

2018-04-14 Fat Tire Problems

Back in the mid to late 1970's I ran Metzler ME77's front and rear. The ME77 is discontinued so we attempted to run an equivalent radial tire. Too bad, so sad, so fat. Rubbing under the front fender and on the rear swing arm.

First attempt to remove the rear tire. This turned into a several hours long job complete with bloody rear calf and right forearm. Here I'm attempting to wedge the bead toward rim center to allow clearance at swing arm (after tire rotated, of course).

No such luck. Still tight against the fender. Thought about removing the fender first, but a call to my bud Ray S (who restored the bike) squashed that idea. The fender is notched around the swing arm, so it has to be wiggled, angled in place.. It wont' just pull straight off. Ray suggested it might be easier to pull the rear final drive and wheel as an assembly. 

A close up view of the issue. Ray mentioned he had no such problem installing the tire.. Which makes sense..

Because when installing the hub, it presses the brake shoes into the housing. Going the other way, the shoes want to pivot to the left, due to slight drag.. even when fully relaxes. They shoes are new...

Plan 'B' - clamp the tire at thickest point at most restrictive point.

Then *gently* pry the top shoe away from the hoobie-doobie.

That worked! Now for the shock mount.

Success! Heidenau 3.50x18 (OEM size) tires to replace...
 

How Uncle Dutch sits for now...

To be continued...