Darkside starting pressure, effects of raising or lowering

Gonna be mounting a Vredestein Comtrac-V5005 175/75R16 on a 2003 Harly Deuce on Friday. I have dynabeads on order and should be here by then. I plan to put in 3 ozs. If my indy strongly objects I'll have him put on conventional weights.

Based on suggestions from an experienced darksider and my own research, I plan to start at 35 PSI. I've been reading quite a bit about darksiding, and getting sometimes conflicting reports of the effects of raising or lowering pressure. I rarely exceed 65 mph (I'm an old fart), but have heard that some have wobble even at that speed, and in any case want to try it up to 80-90 to make sure it's stable. Should I experience any wobble, is the general suggestion to raise or lower pressure, or is it just so dependent on the bike / rider combination that it's unpredictable?

All suggestions most welcome.

PS Deuce has no extra weight (bags, windshield), I weigh 140 and ride solo.

Was it MY advice you took? 35 is my sweet spot, and I get no wobbling at ANY speed except a tiny bit on the rain-grooved interstate stretches here. I get that with a MT also.
I used 3 oz. dynabeads after REMOVING 4oz. lead weights (same for front) and it's glass-smooth up to 95 mph. Check your spokes before mounting this tire; if they are loose, the extra weight may make them unscrew and you'll get WOBBLE, alright!
Just keep in mind that 2 lbs. makes a big noticeable difference in handling.

Matter of fact it was you! Spokes - don't got no stinkin spokes...

DarkDeuce wrote:

Based on suggestions from an experienced darksider and my own research, I plan to start at 35 PSI. I've been reading quite a bit about darksiding, and getting sometimes conflicting reports of the effects of raising or lowering pressure. I rarely exceed 65 mph (I'm an old fart), but have heard that some have wobble even at that speed, and in any case want to try it up to 80-90 to make sure it's stable. Should I experience any wobble, is the general suggestion to raise or lower pressure, or is it just so dependent on the bike / rider combination that it's unpredictable?

All suggestions most welcome.

PS Deuce has no extra weight (bags, windshield), I weigh 140 and ride solo.

DarkDeuce,

Dude, you know what handling feels like! Do you own raising and lowering pressures. The wobble stuff, bikes get them that have motorcycle tires, not because they put car tires. You car don't wobble when you drive them??? LOL You picked a good pressure to start with and put a couple hundred miles on it to make sure you have the mold release off and then you will have a great base for if it handles better or worse. Good luck.

..................bobby

+1 on what Twin said. Even 2 lbs of pressure can make a big differance sometimes.

Jerry

Thanks much for the comments. Understood - just tweak 'til it feels right'. Just today I made a very small adjustment in the backrest on my Corbin Gunfighter (moved forward slightly) and could not believe the difference in the feel of the bike. Even with 14" pullbacks, I apparently was still reaching a bit for the bars. After having a backrest for a while don't know how I rode without one.

Now if I can just find a place to mount a small 12v air compressor...

DarkDeuce wrote:Thanks much for the comments. Understood - just tweak 'til it feels right'. Just today I made a very small adjustment in the backrest on my Corbin Gunfighter (moved forward slightly) and could not believe the difference in the feel of the bike. Even with 14" pullbacks, I apparently was still reaching a bit for the bars. After having a backrest for a while don't know how I rode without one.

Now if I can just find a place to mount a small 12v air compressor...

I carry mine in my right bag.

Jerry

I just bought a $4.00 miniature hand pump from Harbor Freight about the size of a minimag flashlight.

I just bought a $4.00 miniature hand pump from Harbor Freight about the size of a minimag flashlight.

I think I could squeeze that into my luggage compartment (a fork bag). Have you used it? With that tiny volume it's gotta take a while to raise the pressure...

I've been running 40 pounds of pressure in my Michelin HE, I think that I'm going to lower it to 35 lb and give it a whirl.

DarkDeuce wrote:

I just bought a $4.00 miniature hand pump from Harbor Freight about the size of a minimag flashlight.

I think I could squeeze that into my luggage compartment (a fork bag). Have you used it? With that tiny volume it's gotta take a while to raise the pressure...

I wouldn't care if I had to work for a minnit once in a year or two - it's small, very light, has it's own mount if you want, and will be there for emergency or touchup for a slow leak. It feels like a typical bicycle pump when playing with it. How lazy could we be? Plus, a couple years from now it will still pump because it won't have a frozen motor or busted hose. (needs no hose)

Definitely going to pickup one of those Harbor Freight hand pumps. Didn't know such a thing existed.