Michelin HE 205-65-16 on my '02 1800R, minor swingarm rubbing on left

Just finished getting it all reassembled. All I can say is "wow - that's a tight squeeze with alot of rubber under there"..!! I did grind the bottom of the fender bracket ears down (not all the way - removed maybe 3mm each side) as an insurance policy (running 12.5" progressive 412HD's). Haven't dropped if off the jack yet - in the process of new exhaust going on (Cobra Speedster Longs).

BUT I do see that on the left side swingarm there is very slight rubbing on the raised letters on the tire. It's only minor - doesn't wipe wet chalk all the way off but does (just) touch. This is with 38 lbs pressure in the tire. Does anyone consider this to be a problem? Not sure there's much that can be done as it's the swingarm, not the fender..... I welcome any advice.

I'm very close to being an official darksider - I'll claim it officially when I've ridden it!

shave the letters?

keep an aye on it and make sure it doesn't get any worse, that might indicate other problems...

My guess is that the letters will get an automatic shave the first time out....!!

Only thought I have is to machine the wheel spacer on the right side down by a small amount, say 1/2 mm, which would offset the left by the same amount, providing more clearance, assuming the final drive will be OK with a 1/2mm move to the right.

Ah well - we'll see what happens. Almost finished with the exhaust, can't wait to try it out.

Try running at 30 psi, it may not rub at all, I run 27 with no probs, handles and rides great.

rowie wrote:...BUT I do see that on the left side swingarm there is very slight rubbing on the raised letters on the tire. It's only minor - doesn't wipe wet chalk all the way off but does (just) touch. This is with 38 lbs pressure in the tire. Does anyone consider this to be a problem? Not sure there's much that can be done as it's the swingarm, not the fender..... I welcome any advice

There's a very good post here somewhere where someone used a steel pipe to pound a dimple in the drive shaft tube to get the clearance. Worked fine for him, and I'm waiting for my Toyo 215/55/16 to see if I have to do it. I plan to if I need to. Do a search it shouldn't be hard to find that post. Good luck.

rowie wrote:Only thought I have is to machine the wheel spacer on the right side down by a small amount, say 1/2 mm, which would offset the left by the same amount, providing more clearance, assuming the final drive will be OK with a 1/2mm move to the right.

Distance collar (3"long axle spacer) inside of final drive dictates tire's position in swingarm, and I wouldn't machine that spacer either, the right side swingarm will simply bend over using your idea, and tire will keep same position.
Have you checked wheel bearings Many run that exact tire and size without problems, although most report it runs extremely close where yours is rubbing. As tire spins it gets narrower, so it will not get any closer than when at rest.

Dan wrote:

rowie wrote:Only thought I have is to machine the wheel spacer on the right side down by a small amount, say 1/2 mm, which would offset the left by the same amount, providing more clearance, assuming the final drive will be OK with a 1/2mm move to the right.

Distance collar (3"long axle spacer) inside of final drive dictates tire's position in swingarm, and I wouldn't machine that spacer either, the right side swingarm will simply bend over using your idea, and tire will keep same position.
Have you checked wheel bearings Many run that exact tire and size without problems, although most report it runs extremely close where yours is rubbing. As tire spins it gets narrower, so it will not get any closer than when at rest.

That tire needs to be centered, that spacer is important. If your looking for clearence, I agree the place to get it is to modify the tube, i.e. dimple it in.

I found the post on the mods for clearance:
https://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/vtx-1800-tech-f10/general-altimax-hp-215-65r16-install-ride-wildside-t1089.htm
Check it out it probably should be a sticky...

try this link if you want to see the swingarm mod:
https://mcdarksiders.forumotion.com/vtx-1300-tech-f11/horseman-swingarm-mod-215-t1137.htm?highlight=215+swingarm

I have not ridden my bike for about 3 weeks now because of this very same rubbing situation. Thank you for asking the questions and thank you also for all of the great answers. I will watch the rubbing and make the necessary mods during the winter, unless I need to take the tire off for another reason. Thanks again, Happy riding.

Congrats on getting her done, hope you enjoy it as much as I do, ride safe...enjoy...welcome to the Darkside, as they say.

I'm having the same problem on my 2002 1800 Retro.
Thanks for the suggestion about the dimpling of the driveshaft.
I'll pass it onto my mechanic.

Has anyone found a solution to this yet? I just put the same tie on my 03 retro and have the same issue.

try my suggestions here first?

Another HE rub thread