Removal
Note. Take care when removing and installing tire to prevent cosmetic damage to wheel. This is especially true with wheels that feature painted surfaces.
1. Remove wheel from motorcycle. See 2.5 WHEELS, Front Wheel or 2.5 WHEELS, Rear Wheel.
2. Deflate tire.
Note. Tube Type Wheels: do not completely remove tire from rim to replace the tube only. Removing one side allows the tube to be replaced and allows for inspection of tire.
3. Loosen both tire beads from rim flange. Use a bead breaker machine if available.
4. Remove tire.
Cleaning, inspection and repair
1. Clean the inside of tire and outer surface of tube.
2. If rim is dirty or rusty, clean with a stiff wire brush.
3. Check wheels for lateral and radial runout before installing a tire. See 2.7 CHECKING AND TRUING WHEELS.
4. Inspect the tire for wear and damage.
5. Inspect tread depth. Replace worn tires.
6. Replace tube and rim seal prior to installing tire.
Warning! Replace punctured or damaged tires. In some cases, small punctures in the tread area may be repaired from within the removed tire by a Harley-Davidson dealer. Speed should NOT exceed 50 mph (80 km/h) for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should NEVER be used over 80 mph (130 km/h). Failure to follow this warning could lead to tire failure and result in death or serious injury.
7. Repair tread on tubeless tires if puncture is 1/4 in (6.4 mm) or smaller. Repairs must be made from inside the tire.
8. Always combine a patch and plug when repairing damaged tires.
Installation
FASTENER | TORQUE VALUE | |
Valve stem, tube type, nut | 3-7 in·lbs | 0.3-0.8 Nm |
Valve stem, tubeless type, nut | 12-15 in·lbs | 1.4-1.7 Nm |
Mounting
Warning! Harley-Davidson front and rear tires are not the same. Interchanging front and rear tires can cause tire failure, which could result in death or serious injury.
Warning! Do not exceed manufacturer's recommended pressure to seat beads. Exceeding recommended bead seat pressure can cause tire rim assembly to burst, which could result in death or serious injury.
Warning! Be sure tires are properly inflated, balanced, undamaged, and have adequate tread. Inspect your tires regularly and see a Harley-Davidson dealer for replacements. Riding with excessively worn, unbalanced, improperly inflated, overloaded or damaged tires can lead to tire failure and adversely affect stability and handling, which could result in death or serious injury.
Mount tires with arrows molded into the tire sidewall with the arrow pointing in the direction of forward rotation.
Locate the colored balance dot on the sidewall next to the valve stem.
For tire pressures, see 1.8 TIRES AND WHEELS, Air Pressure.
Tube type tires
Warning! Match tires, tubes, rim strips or seals, air valves and caps to the correct wheel. Contact a Harley-Davidson dealer. Mismatching can lead to tire damage, allow tire slippage on the wheel or cause tire failure, which could result in death or serious injury.
Notes:
- Replace the tube whenever the tire is replaced.
- Only patch inner tubes as an emergency measure. Replace a patched tube as soon as possible.
- For correct tire and tube types, see 1.8 TIRES AND WHEELS, Specified Tires.
1. See Figure 2-3. On laced wheels, install a rim strip into the rim well.
![](https://motoinstruction.ru/img/harley/12/117620.jpg)
Figure 2-3. Installing rim strip
- a. Verify that the spokes do not protrude through the nipples.
- b. Align the valve stem hole in rim strip with valve stem hole in rim.
2. Install tube and tire.
3. Install valve stem nut. Tighten to 3-7 in·lbs (0.3-0.8 Nm).
Tubeless tires
Warning! Only install original equipment tire valves and valve caps. A valve, or valve and cap combination, that is too long or too heavy can strike adjacent components and damage the valve, causing rapid tire deflation. Rapid tire deflation can cause loss of vehicle control, which could result in death or serious injury.
1. See Figure 2-4. Replace damaged or leaking valve stems.
![](https://motoinstruction.ru/img/harley/12/117621.jpg)
Figure 2-4. Tubeless tire valve stems: 1. Bolt-on valve stem; 2. Snap-in valve stem; 3. Nut; 4. Metal washer; 5. Rubber grommet
2. XL 883L/N/R Cast Wheels:
- a. Install rubber grommet (5) on valve stem (1).
- b. Insert valve stem into rim hole.
- c. Install metal washer (4).
- d. Install nut (3). Tighten to 12-15 in·lbs (1.4-1.7 Nm).
3. XL 1200C/C ANV/CP/CA Cast Wheels: Press the snapin valve stem (2) into the rim hole.
4. Install tire.
Checking tire runout
Lateral runout
1. Check tire pressure.
2. See Figure 2-5. Turn the wheel on the axle and measure tire lateral runout from a fixed point to a smooth area on the tire sidewall. Avoid measuring on raised letters or vents.
![](https://motoinstruction.ru/img/harley/12/117622.jpg)
Figure 2-5. Tire lateral runout
3. Tire lateral runout should not exceed 0.090 in (2.29 mm). If tire runout exceeds specification, remove tire from rim and check rim lateral runout. See 2.7 CHECKING AND TRUING WHEELS.
- a. If rim lateral runout is within specification, the tire is at fault and must be replaced.
- b. If rim lateral runout is not within specification, correct by adjusting selected spokes on laced wheels or replace cast wheels. See 2.7 CHECKING AND TRUING WHEELS.
4. Install the tire. Check tire lateral runout of replacement tire.
Radial runout
1. Check tire pressure.
2. See Figure 2-6. Turn the wheel on the axle and measure tire radial runout at the tread centerline.
![](https://motoinstruction.ru/img/harley/12/117623.jpg)
Figure 2-6. Tire radial runout
3. Tire radial runout should not exceed 0.090 in (2.29 mm). If tire runout exceeds this specification, remove tire from rim and check rim radial runout.See 2.7 CHECKING AND TRUING WHEELS.
- a. If rim radial runout is within specification, the tire is at fault and must be replaced.
- b. If rim radial runout is not within specification, correct by adjusting selected spokes on laced wheels or replace cast wheels. See 2.7 CHECKING AND TRUING WHEELS.
4. Install the tire. Check tire radial runout of replacement tire.
Wheel balancing
Note. Install tire after balancing. See See 2.5 WHEELS, Front Wheel or 2.5 WHEELS, Rear Wheel.
Static vs dynamic
Wheel balancing is recommended to improve handling. Balancing wheels reduces vibration especially at high speeds.
Static balancing will produce satisfactory results for normal highway speeds. Dynamic balancing can produce better results for deceleration.
Weights
The maximum weight permissible to accomplish balance is 3.5 oz (99.2 g) (total weight applied to the rim). If more than 3.5 oz (99.2 g) of weight is required, rotate the tire 180 degrees on the rim and again balance the assembly. Balance wheels to within 0.5 oz (14 g).
All wheel weights currently supplied by Harley-Davidson are made from zinc which is lighter than lead. The weight of each zinc segment is 0.18 oz (5 g) as compared to 0.25 oz (7 g) for lead. Weights are stamped for easy identification.
Notes:
- If adding more than 1.5 oz (43 g) of weight at one location, divide the amount so that half is applied to each side of rim.
- On cast wheels without a flat area near the bead, place the weights crosswise through the opening.
1. See Figure 2-8. Place weights on a smooth surface of the wheel rim such that centrifugal force will help keep them in place. Make sure the area of application is completely clean, dry, and free of oil and grease.
![](https://motoinstruction.ru/img/harley/12/117625.jpg)
Figure 2-8. Wheel weight placement: 1. Laced steel; 2. Cast
Note. See Figure 2-7. When installing wheel weights, consider cosmetics. Keep snaking (1) within 0.040 in (1.02 mm) (2) of straight. Also keep the angle alignment of individual segments (3) within 3 degrees.
![](https://motoinstruction.ru/img/harley/12/117624.jpg)
Figure 2-7. Weight segment alignment: 1. Snaking; 2. Not to exceed 0.040 in (1.02 mm); 3. Not to exceed 3 degree
2. Remove paper backing from the weight. Press firmly in place and hold for ten seconds.