Rear tire fitment question - 2001 pro sport

[LA_Dog]

So I've got this lame Dunlop D404 on the rear of bike / plan on swapping it out. I have a nice new Dunlop E3 on the front (120/70/21).

I'm sort of scratching my head though. The rear tire is a 150/80B16 and the rear wheel is 5" wide. There is presently 0.50 of clearance between the tire edge bead and the drive belt (1.5" belt). width of inflated tire is a tad over 6".

OE specs say the bike came with a 160/80 16 tire (unknown brand)
From what I can tell a 5" wheel is too wide for a 150 or 160 tire - but, I don't seem to have enough clearance to mount a 170 or 180 (will probably rub belt).

Definitely open to suggestions!

 

[narow37]

McGroom has an 01' pro sport and he has a 150 on his

 

[LA_Dog]

thanks- now just need to look at some brands. Can't get a matching E3 for rear since they only come in 180 narrowest.

 

[mcgroom]

McGroom has an 01' pro sport and he has a 150 on his

02' with a 180.

I thought you were asking about my RG when you asked me Shane.

 

[LA_Dog]

thanks - what brand / model of tire ya got? Are you a whisker away from belt with the 180 or is your dog's arse modified (silly question, right? )

I picked up an Avon Cobra 150/80/16 for now (got it for $90 shipped) - I'd like to get a 180/65 up in there at some point, might need a narrower belt

 

[LA_Dog]

PS any good mods / upgrades you can recommend for the Pro Sport is appreciated - Plus I'm also trying to find out who made the wheels, rear shocks and fork tube internals for BD in 2001

 

[BigDogRick]

I went from a Venom 180 to a Michelin 150 and it felt like I got a different bike so far as handling goes on turns, curves, and drifting to the tire ruts on asphalt. I had migrated to 170 then 180 and done it gradually over 13 years. For the life of the last 180 (pretty sure it was the one and only), I was actually losing my confidence on hard groove turns at high speed. Since I was riding for the past year after a two year minimal mileage period while I was re-building and modifying made me think that I just got soft. Now I can maneuver around potholes with a change of weight with my ass like I used to. The 180 rubbed the belt pretty bad. The 170s would only scuff.

 

[LA_Dog]

hmm, excellent points to consider Rick, thx. I ride the damn thing like it's a sport bike (I've raced and owned mostly performance sport bikes in the past, anything on two wheels I'm going to always be pushing it). So while the 180 may look nicer in the fender, from what you're sayin I'll probably hate the feel in handling. I'll see how the new Avon Cobra 150 does, and how it feels with the Dunlop E3 120 front (at least both tires are radials). the rear D404 on it right now sucks ass.

I suppose my biggest initial concern was with running a 150 on a 5" rim- that sort of messes up the tire profile as a 150 is more for a 3.5" to 4" wheel.

 

[BigDogRick]

My rim has got a lot of wear and tear. I had to inner tube it to avoid a bad seal. But am very happy.

 

[LA_Dog]

My rim has got a lot of wear and tear. I had to inner tube it to avoid a bad seal. But am very happy.

Well, yeah! That's just a sign of a lot of good ridin! :up::up::up::2thumbs::up::up::up:

 

[LA_Dog]

ok so the Avon Cobra AV72 150 80 B16 rear tire showed up- nice tire, but, it won't fit right. The inner carcass of tire is too narrow, if I stretch it out to fit the BD 5" rim, it starts to buckle the shoulder. So, scratch that one, it is up on CL right now.

I called Avon Tyres and spoke with "Dana" - a Sr. tech and fellow rider- This guy was a fountain of knowledge. Get this, Avon provided the OE tires on early BDM's. The 2001 Pro Sport came with an Avon 160/80 B16, 81H. It is 167mm wide or 6.6". This should be a perfect fit on back with about 1/8" of belt clearance.

He directed me to the proper Venom tires and I ordered them from a place in Irvine ($336 shipped for both the AM42 160 and AV71 120 tires):

Avon Venom AM42 160/80 B16 rear (bias ply, reinforced) 167mm wide (6.6") 81H
Avon Venom AM41 120/70/21 front (non radial, reinforced) 68H- I am running a custom 21", 3.5" wide rim on front - see my next post for OE 18" wheel tire size.

I could also use the Avon Cobra AV71 120/70/21 (non radial, reinforced) 68V for the front, and I went with it instead of the AM41 - I liked the tread design better on the AV71 vs the AM41's line down center of tire.

Avon website: http://www.avonmoto.com/products/cruiser-touring-custom
Phone: (800) 624-7470 > Option #5 for Tech, ask for Dana - Very cool guy and has a lot of knowledge on tires for large displacement V-Twins, as well as BDM's.

Anyway, that's the scoop. I'll have the correct tires on Friday.

 

[BigDogRick]

Great info. Thanks - Bookmarked the website.

 

[LA_Dog]

Sure thing- any good info I find on our bikes I'm definitely going to post it here.

For the Pro Sport front tire if running the stock 18" wheel:
OE spec calls for a 90/90/18 - However, there is no longer an Avon made in that size. The Venom AM41 100/90/18 56H will fit and is approximately the same geometry.

Regardless of tire brand - It is recommended to always run a bias ply reinforced rear tire, and a bias ply (non radial) front. The sheer power and torque from larger V Twin motors can shred radial tires and can twist non-reinforced bias ply tires. Your results may be different but that is the general consensus and advice.

Of course, as we all know... never ever mix bias ply and radial tires on a bike unless you want to prematurely meet Jesus. Always go bias ply F&R or radial F&R

Radials inherently offer better performance traction in cornering by their design- the carcass belting is 90 degrees from rotation and transfers load directly to the outside of tire, resulting in a more flexible tire and constant optimal contact patch. bias ply are stiffer by design and sacrifice this optimal traction to gain benefit of tire strength and longevity. This is why you'll see sport bikes with radials and touring bikes / custom big inch choppers / HD's with bias ply.

So, having a bias rear and front radial, your rear will be stepping out while the front is still gripping, resulting in a very bad handling experience. If you only drive lower speeds and straight line cruising you may never notice this mis-match difference, but any pushing of the bike in corners and high speed riding will let you know all about it. Don't be 'that guy' we read about..

I'm just throwing all this in here for future ref in case anyone needs the info.

Keywords: 2001 Big Dog Pro Sport 2000 Vintage Classic front and rear tire tires OEM and replacement information info sizes spec specifications

 

[narow37]

Mcgroom has metzlers on both wheels on his pro sport

 

[LA_Dog]

Mcgroom has metzlers on both wheels on his pro sport

Cool- perhaps he can post the sizes F/R and specific models. That would be helpful to anyone else reading this thread.

 

[FrankBDPS]

Thanks for all the tire info.Just last Saturday I replaced the rear tire on my 2000 pro sport.It had an Avon Roadrider on it and that is what I put back on.It is a 150.I had read about belts rubbing the bigger tires so I stayed with what was on the bike.I noticed in the pics that your swing arm looks to constructed out of round tubing.Is that aftermarket?

 

[LA_Dog]

Thanks for all the tire info.Just last Saturday I replaced the rear tire on my 2000 pro sport.It had an Avon Roadrider on it and that is what I put back on.It is a 150.I had read about belts rubbing the bigger tires so I stayed with what was on the bike.I noticed in the pics that your swing arm looks to constructed out of round tubing.Is that aftermarket?

Hi Frank- No the rear swingarm is factory BDM. Actually, the Pro Sport and Boxer frame, swingarm, oil tank and rear fender struts are from Daytec and are the "Skulker" line. I called Daytec awhile back and confirmed all of this. I guess in 2001 they switched to the dual tube swingarm- If you go to their site and look at the Skulker frame, it shows it with the dual tube swingarm.

For some reason the Boxer was fitted with a 180 tire in the rear. the Skulker frame and swingarm actually specs a 180 tire. I think the limiting factor for the Pro Sport is the pulley offset. If you swapped to a different offset and narrower belt, or a chain drive, a 180 would fit easily. But you're gonna lose some handling quickness with a 180 vs a 160 or 150.

BTW- nice looking bike- I noticed your rear swingarm is more FXR style with the square tube- and it's chrome

 

[LA_Dog]

new Avon tires showed up today- wow, 1 day ship and they came packed in a nice big box. Really nice tires. The 160 looks like it will fit no problem and the inner carcass is suitably wide enough for the 5" rim.

I put the front tire on this evening and will do the rear tomorrow.

One nice thing I noticed about the Avon front tire design is it has a nice big apex in the center and a lot of sidewall profile. Will do good for handling. The dunlop Elite 3 radial front I took off has a much flatter profile, probably better suited to straight line riding.

And get this- the last person that worked on the bike put the left side front wheel spacer in backwards. knuckleheads..

 

[LA_Dog]

OK! So got the new meats installed. Rear tire fits NICE!!! See pics- I got 1/4" gap to belt. Also gave me a chance to re-shim the rear caliper (was off) and slap on the Paul Yafee side license plate / brake light.

I tell you though, mounting the 160 Avon on the 5" wheel was a challenge! The inner carcass of the Avon is a bit narrow due to how the belting is pushing slightly inward on the sidewalls. I put it on the rim no problem, but, I could not get it to sit on both rim shoulders to inflate it. What I did is this, worked perfect: Get a 1" wide ratchet tie down strap. lay wheel on side, pulley side down, with the tire mounted on wheel on top of a couple of 4x4 pieces with a soft cloth on top, one on each side under wheel edges, to keep the pulley off the ground. wrap the ratcheting tie strap around the outside of tire circumference - make sure it is centered on the tire tread all the way around. ratchet that bitch down until the sidewalls pop outward to touch the rim bead shoulders- you don't need much ratcheting. Now hit with compressed air and viola! baby will pump right up, beads pop on, all good. loosen ratchet after the tire starts to fill but before beads seat - do NOT leave it tight and pop on the beads, you risk messing up the tire. You're only using the ratchet strap to get the air seal going, so as soon as the tire catches air and starts expanding, stop filling and loosen / remove the tie strap. then keep filling till "pop" of bead set.

Fill to 50 psi, let air out, add dyna beads, refill to 44 psi, done!

 

[DLB]

Wheels

PS any good mods / upgrades you can recommend for the Pro Sport is appreciated - Plus I'm also trying to find out who made the wheels, rear shocks and fork tube internals for BD in 2001

im looking for those exact wheels you have. is that a 21 you have on the front or an 18? i have identical wheels but front is an 18. been wanting the 21 but..like looking for a needle in a hay stack.