Need 1300R/S+ 205 tire -------> MOUNTING TIPS<------------

i got my new GENERAL GRABBER 205/70/15 tire in yesterday, got my duncrap taken off today and i am ready to seal the rim. I just thought i would take a look at the tire fitting under the bike. The tire is not on a wheel and it looks like its going to be really rough getting it squeezed in there. My bike is a 2003 VTX-1300 S model. Just by the looks of things, it looks like my bottom factory muffler is going to give me fits. Do i need to take this off? What is the best way to get it in there? If you have any tricky tips for me, please pass them on to help me out or share your tire installation story as a reply to this post. Thank you so much for your help and support.

Let the air out first. That's what I had to do.

CW

I have an R and I had to remove the exhaust and lower the exhaust mounting bracket. When putting it back together, turn the exhaust bolts around so the head is by the tire...

Jerry

I had to take a hacksaw and cut the swingarm and the driveshaft in half, then I had to find some special hypocarbolicannadized welding rods ..... awwww hell , just kiddin.
I just raised my bike up and sat it down onto the tire.

See you out there
Smokey

take a hammer to it ... NO Don't . just joking just let the air out of the tire and jack upthe bike as high as you can then tie it down so it won't fall off the motorcycle jack. then do as uncle Jerry told you , he has a bike like yours.
good luck,
Horse

I have the same model and year as yous. I had to swing the rectifier out of the way. It is located on the right side just in front of the exhaust mounting racket. If you loosen the bottom bolt and remove the top bolt, it will pivot out of the way. Yo also may want to turn the bottom exhaust mounting bolt around, the threaded end sticks out just enough that it could rub on the new tire. Those were the only two things I had to do for my install. Enjoy the ride.

papa wrote:I have the same model and year as yous. I had to swing the rectifier out of the way. It is located on the right side just in front of the exhaust mounting racket. If you loosen the bottom bolt and remove the top bolt, it will pivot out of the way. Yo also may want to turn the bottom exhaust mounting bolt around, the threaded end sticks out just enough that it could rub on the new tire. Those were the only two things I had to do for my install. Enjoy the ride.

+1