TOPIC:

StanG wrote: What else - nobody noticed that in the picture and I just trusted the guy because I gave the instructions and didn't check on it when picking up the wheels. Today I mounted the whole rear and noticed the rear tire was mounted backwards!!!! Now I have to go back to the place and have them correct this. Always trouble unless you do it yourself.

I've had this happen to me about 4 times. After the first time I would put masking tape on the rim with the direction of rotation and they would still put it on backwards. However, after the first time I now know to always check before leaving with the wheel.

A local bike shop did put my ZZ-R1100 front tyre on backwards and then tried to refit the wheel the wrong way round too - as they forced things together they then managed to destroy the speedometer drive!

I tend not to use bike shops now and take the wheel to a local car tyre fitter who has the equipment to balance the wheel properly.

I've also had a cycle shop install a rear tire backwards.

I removed the old air valve and asked them to put a new stainless steel valve, I put a nice black arrow with a permanent marker right next to the hole. Didn't help...
Admiring my freshly installed shiny chromed mufflers - ahhh!... we know the rest of the story....

You guys gota stop taking your rims and tires to the BMW dealer. Of course they'd put them on backwards. Their final drives are on the left !!

Something interesting I've learnt today about modern tires I had no idea about. Apparently, the rear tire was installed correctly after all. There were two arrows on the tire: one marked 'front' and the other 'rear'. I thought the tire was installed incorrectly because the directional arrow marked 'front' was pointing backwards.

What the mechanic told me is that if a tire can be used as both front and rear, the tire's correct rotation is marked with both arrows one marked 'rear' and the other one 'front', depending on where it goes.
I am still somewhat puzzled because it was my understanding that front and rear tires are designed differently. All my old tires had only one arrow indicating the correct rotation.
Apparently some tires can be interchanged.

All is good then and the mechanic did a good job. So, I've learnt something, got to ride in the sun, and got more practice removing and installing the rear wheel! I can do it now with eyes closed


PS. Kawboy:

You guys gota stop taking your rims and tires to the BMW dealer.

I took it to a well established reputable motorcycle shop specializing in repairs and servicing all types of bikes - no sales, no dealership.

I've never seen a motorcycle tire that was marked for dual mounting - front and rear. The tread pattern would have to be symmetrical - I'd think - otherwise it would channel water to the center when mounted one way and "Appropriately" channel water away from the tires center when mounted the "other" way? Crazy !
Are you sure there's not a "Snow Flake" emblem somewhere on that sidewall?
NOW.....if it was a Chinese tire, I could see some poor fool assembling two right-hand moulds together by accident but frankly I'm having a difficult time believing a M/C tire can be mounted one way for front and turned 'round for being on the rear.