New front tire on the way

[Scootergptx]

Shinko 777 for the front. Just put a 777 on the rear. Ordering it was the easy part. We've remodeled the house a bit and I've had to move things around and just cram stuff where it would fit. Now I have to dig through it all and see if I can find the balance beads I have. Ordered extra last time so I wouldn't have to mess with having a tire and then needing to order the beads.

I'm hoping I put them in a place that seems logical. Not holding my breath on that.

[recumbentbob]

Good luck finding them.
I'm lucky the Honda shop 4 miles from my house keeps them in stock.....

[Scootergptx]

That's why I ordered extra last time I got them online. There is a place here that has them. About 10 miles away and twice the price.

Got a new storage barn and in the process of cleaning out the storage room I had in the house. Tire won't be here till Tuesday, so I got a few days to hunt them down.

[Atom]

What do the beads do?

[Scootergptx]

Balance beads. Take the weights off the rim and put the beads inside the tire. As the tire spins, the beads spin and even out to balance the tire. Well, readers digest version anyway.

Some people like them, some don't. Been using them for about 8 years and 3 different bikes.

[Snake Ranch]

Shinko 777 for the front. Just put a 777 on the rear. Ordering it was the easy part. We've remodeled the house a bit and I've had to move things around and just cram stuff where it would fit. Now I have to dig through it all and see if I can find the balance beads I have. Ordered extra last time so I wouldn't have to mess with having a tire and then needing to order the beads.

I'm hoping I put them in a place that seems logical. Not holding my breath on that.

I went with a form of the beads, but they are bigger in diameter and will fit through the valve stem, BUT ONLY ONE AT A TIME. Wasn't a problem on my skoot, I poured them in before seating the beads. But on my sons Triumph Thunderbird the Commander II would not cooperate and we had to take it to a shop where they had problems.

To make a long story endless, the tire was mounted without the beads.

The tire shop recommended a product called "Ride-on". Its a tire balancer AND sealer. Kinda like the green slime. But it has an anti-corrosion additive so it won't harm the rims. The tire shop couldn't get any at the time because it was on back order. The Triumph dealer had it. My son reports it works fine.

It was kinda pricy, about $15.00 for 8oz. But I bought 6 bottles for two skoots thinking not having a flat is worth the price. My son had a flat on the rear and the tire came off the beads in the parking lot. So we had to get a tow truck at mid-night to get the skoot home 45 minutes away. The wide rear tires will take 1 1/2 to 2 bottles, the front 1 bottle.

Sooo I have some extra beads.

This liquid tire sealant/balancer might be something to think about.:tup:

[Scootergptx]

After putting the tire on, then trying to get the smaller beads through the valve stem, I learned to have them put the beads in when they mount the tire.

The C90 got a flat and I had to ride it to the next exit. No safe place on the highway to stop and it was just about to start rush hour. May have to look into the ride on stuff. That was an experience I'd rather not have again.

[pointnowell]

Shinko, can anyone say something about them? Where are they from, wear, performance, pricing, are they comparable to the original bridgestones? I guess I'm looking for a review from the community.

[Scootergptx]

I've been using them on the last 3 bikes I've had. Good dry traction. Great wet traction. Riden in storms I wondered why I was out in them.

Was using the 230 series on my 750 Vulcan and they were great. Used them on the C90 and the front lasted a long time. The rear went a little faster then they did on the 750. On the Vaquero, I'm trying out the 777 series.

I've been happy with the way they grip, got decent wear out of them and you can't beat the price.

Easiest way to give the Shinko story. (http://www.shinkotireusa.com/shinko-osaka-story)