1800R '03 - Looking for Step by Step, or a list of mod's needed to go dark.

I think I have read too much this weekend on this... and I am confusing many of the details... I haven't found one place that all the info appears, or at least for my model VTX1800R. For those that don't know, it is the tubeless and not the spoked wheel.

I am looking to use either 205/65R16 or 205/60R16. I would like to go 65, to make the speedo a little better, but since I live near Seattle-Tacoma, better handling in rainy/wet conditions is my main goal, so any tire recommendations would be appreciated.

Is going dark as simple as finding someone to mount the CT on the wheel, or do I have other mods I need to make as well.
I know I need to get the beads for balancing, and that I may have grind a little on the fender bracket, if clearance is an issue.

Do I need to change out any bearings? Do I need any special valve stem?

Any recommendations for a place to mount the tire, I am west of Seattle, and north of Tacoma in Kitsap county. Has anyone out this way gone to the darkside?

Thanks,

Just grind the inner fender bracket ears down while the tire is off and you'll be all set! Same valve stems.
Bearings?? Check them, but there's no reason to change them just because you're going Darkside.
Be sure to moly-paste the splines on the final drive every 10k miles.
Not sure what you need for a tire, I've run Maxxis and Hankook and both were better than a MT in the rain.
And don't over-think it
Craig

spud1800r wrote:And don't over-think it

Thanks, and overthinking is an occupational hazard for me.

ah geez...an engineer?

spud1800r wrote:ah geez...an engineer?

Software and Electronics... at least I'm not a Ph.D, I'd still be researching...

knew it, my riding buddy is the same way...
nice guy, but i drive a truck, sometimes he loses me...lol
Craig