Dark Side Tire Mod for VT1100C (2004 Honda Spirit 1100cc)

Dark Side Tire Mod

These are the general instructions on how to replace a motorcycle tire with a car tire on a Honda VT1100C14 (2004 Honda Spirit 1100). I'll go through the step by step. Later on in this thread I can add some color and detail to the story.

Note that we tried to install a Faulken 205/65/15 and it the bead would never seat. You will see in the photos we started off with a wide tire, and the tire in the final photo is different. We ended up installing a Kumono 165/65/15. Total time to install is 1.5-3 hours depending on how skilled you are and how easily the tire goes on and "beads on".

Steps:

First measure the tire. We think the max width is 205. Inside diameter is 15. And the middle number will govern the tire sidewall height. 65 works, but others might also. This number affects tire diameter and will affect speedometer readings.

Inner measurement should be close to 5.



Outside width needs to be less than 8.



Here is the stock motorcycle tire inside measurement.



Here is the stock MC tire outside width.



Here are the two tires side by side. Once you think the dimensions are acceptable, it's time to replace the tire.



Tire next to bike.



Prepare the bike to be jacked up. Tie it down good. We locked the front tire and put it in gear. Use as many straps as you need. YOu don't want to drop the bike.



Here is the bick all jacked up. Removing the tire is fairly straight forward. We kept all the parts in one small bucket.



Need to put the tire on a tire changing rack and remove the old tire. Here is where the second person comes in really handy.



We replaced the valve stems with metal ones. Make sure they are not too tall. You can get these at Autozone. When the tire is off, clean the rim really good. Steel wool comes in handy to get it smooth.



Putting the CT on the rim is probably the hardest part physically. Here is the tire on the rim.



Do a quick fit check to be sure it won't rub anywhere.



Apply veggie oil liberally around the rim, inside, but not too much.



Be set the tire on a bucket to air it up. This prevents scratching the rim.



Inflate the tire. wE had to add a board to keep the connection. You inflate to up to 120 psi. So you need to stand way back. Wait for two pops before checking the tire. The tire has to seat on both sides. The Faulken never did seat, so we put the 165 on and it seated at ~90 psi. Immediately reduce tire pressure to normal level, ~40psi.



Degrease the tire. Clean the brake well also.



Here is how we balanced the tire. Put the axle back in. Let it rest on a pair of paint cans, they should be level across. Slowly spin the tire. The "heavy" spot should be at the bottom. Mark this spot. Repeat to be sure the heavy spot (marked) comes back here. Apply one once of stick on lead to the rim opposite of the heavy spot mark. Spin (slowly) again. Add/remove weight till the tire does not come to rest at the same spot.



Install the tire back on the bike. Remember to lightly grease the axle and any other parts that need it. Properly torque all nuts. Adjust the rear breaks.



Once on, adjust the tire pressure and test drive. Rear brake may squeak a bit at first. Take it on a short spin, return and make sure the pressure holds. Take it out for a test spin!

Very nice......lots of pics and great detail. Thanks




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


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Great write up Steve-O!

Many shadow riders will benefit from that!!! Awesome!

well finally got the pic.
Douglas 205 AW15 shadow spirit 2001 running lights ,Vance and Hines pipes soon !!

Wow the pipes are on hard time sealig the rear pipe ,had to drill mounting bracket some to get a good fit ,The welder must have been a little off that day but we GOT HER DONE !!!!!

Nice!!!

were they full pipes or slip-ons??

will you have to get it rejetted??

Good looking pipes! Nice tire too!

great step by step , we should have more shadow darksiders now thanks to you.

Horse

Bumping this up so I can find it easier next time! This was my Kumho 165 install. I did the same thing 6 months later to get my Douglas 205 on.



Nice fat tire makes my spirit look sharp! Handles great too!

bump - how to change tire....

Fantastic write up bro.bike looks good too .