When they arrive at your doorstep they’re ready to bolt on with hubs, bearings, and rotors completely installed and ready go.  The package includes a 21 x 3.5” front wheel, two matching Front Rotors with Billet Centers, and an 18 x 4.25” Rear Wheel for all models up to 2008, or an 18 x 5.5” Rear Wheel for 2009 and later Models. ABS brakes are no problem as Pro-One provides the proper hub and bearing applications for ABS bikes. The front tire will be a 120/70-21 Avon, while the rear tire will be either a 150/70-18 or 180/55-18 depending on your application.  Packages for Softails and other popular models are also available at factory-direct savings.  Choose between chrome, black with machined accents or totally blacked out.  For more information, give them a call toll-free at 800-884-4173. Or visit Pro-One.

As you can see, the 1st model shown here looks like a high end sport car wheel (available in any finish style) but you can expect new designs in the future. The rotor is .250 drilled stainless and you can choose from 6 different calipers  but only from quality manufacturer Wilwood, . This set of wheels is for now only for 1″ axle, and orders are being taken for delivery in 6 to 8 weeks. The company website is still incomplete with ot much info but you can ask all your questions to Aaron in the below comments section. Glenndynedesign

I disclose it here: Patrick Knoezer. On October 3rd/4th, Rick and his “Kouse Of Kustom” celebrated their 15th Anniversary (already!), received 2000 guests in his beautiful shop and factory of Baden-Baden (how many of you have spent time in this French and US Army base city?), and unveiled his new line-up of wheels including his “Mega-Spoke Design” wheels featuring eye-catching 26 narrow billet spokes. Rick became famous for his Fat Ass 300 mm wide tire kit exchange program that many official Harley-Davidson across Europe are using to turn stock Harleys, including V-Rods, into fat rubber burners. As a matter of fact a lot of rubber was burned during the event with world-class stunt-riding by Harley-Davidson and Buell Stuntman Rainer Schwarz. Congrats Rick. See great wheels and European custom bikes at Rick’s Motorcycles

Pickard USA tells me that they designed the “High Rolla” wheel with the Bagger client in mind (I think they work well with other types of bikes…). Baggers being more popular than ever, the company is stocking this popular model reducing delivery time from an standard industry lead time of 4/6 weeks to only 1 week for the popular sizes 21 x 3.25″, 18 x 4.25″ and 18 x 5″.

Design is quite classy with 15 angular 3D machined spokes. In chrome or polish or black contrast on request. Call 972-231-1298 or visit Pickard USA for other models.

A tread pattern can be designed to disperse more water by making it rotate in only one direction. Thus, the need for directional arrows. The arrow tells you which way to mount a tire for maximum water dispersal. Another, less apparent reason for directional arrows is the tread splice.

What is a tread splice? When a tire is manufactured the tread portion of the tire starts out as a long flat strip. This strip is wrapped around the tire and the two ends are cut on an angle so one end overlaps the other rather than having square cut ends.

This overlapping point or splice offers a bigger surface area to bond together, rather than the small surface area provided by square cut ends. (Imagine gluing your fingertips together, as opposed to gluing along the entire length of your fingers laid on top of each other. Like an angled splice, the overlapping fingers result in a much stronger bond).

To further ensure the strength of this bond along the tread splice the directional arrow will show you which way to mount the tire so that when the rider is “on the gas”; the acceleration force on the rear tire is pressing the splice together, rather than peeling it back. 

As for braking, 80 % of the braking should take place in the front on most bikes. Therefore, the front tread splice is run in the opposite direction than that of the rear, so when the rider is on the brakes, he’s not peeling the tread splice back.

If you are using a tire that has a directional arrow for rear rotation only and for some reason you want to put it on the front, make sure it is rotating in the opposite direction so you don’t aggravate the tread splice. Avon Tyres.

I say it one more time. If you can change only one thing on your motorcycle to give it a completely new look, change your wheels and pulley & rotors. And if you build a bike from the ground up, picking the right wheels is one of the first choices you will have to make and it will greatly affect the entire design of your new custom, whatever the final lines of your fabrication work. As you know the design options are numerous and the name of the game is to pick a design that others don’t use…yet. So, you’re better off knowing the latest releases. And I give you 2 new ones from Pro-One, one of the leaders of billet wheels made in the USA. And yes, they do all sizes up to the 23” in all widths you may need for Harleys, Metrics and Customs, in polish, chromed, black anodizing and black cut contrast. On the left the new “Spitball” and on the right the new “Tight” models. And they sell factory direct. Call 909-445-0900 or visit Pro-One for more wheel designs and other custom accessories

I just summarized what is the 2010 Sport Bike Marketing Program of Performance Machine for end of 2009/2010.  

TEAM PM consists of 3 of the top custom sport bike builders/retailers in the nation including Robert Fisher of Roaring Toyz, Jonathan Reed of Sport Chrome and Mike McCoy of McCoy Motorsport.  Mark Finnie, President of Performance Machine says that “they carefully picked their new marketing “partners” based on the accomplishments and reputation of their organization and the character of the people involved.  They have earned the support of PM and we look forward to creating a successful marketing”. Each “partner” will receive a wheel design of their choice that will be sold exclusively through their company and in exchange will showcase, market PM products and their emerging technologies. Performace Machine.

Metzeler Tyres took a very interesting and admirable initiative. Gifting enough tires to help all members of MOCLA (the Cuban Club Of Classical Motorbikes composed of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts) enough tires in all sizes so that they continue to ride around the Island. Since the Cuban revolution and the 1962 American embargo it has been impossible to acquire replacement parts. Only about 100 of the 1000’s of Harley-Davidson’s which once rumbled proudly across the island still remain, nearly all of them now ridden by full-fledge members of the MOCLA. Considering the vintage age of these machines, Metzeler has shipped to MOCLA an assortment of 15”, 16” and 18” ME880 tyres from its diverse range of over 75 sizes, in order to guarantee the right fitments. The ME880 is Metzeler’s premium touring tire dedicated to upgrading the ride experience aboard Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

“Metzeler Motorcycle Tyres is dedicated to the two wheel segment and has a history of over 115 years, so groups such as MOCLA who have an intense dedication to the craft of motorcycle maintenance add a new level to what Metzeler often calls Experience,” comments Francesco Pietrangeli, Director of Marketing for the German brand.  Members of MOCLA, including the late pioneer of Cuba’s own Harley preservation methods, known as “Pepe Mílesima”, have become experts of making do with what little parts are available, but have still done their best to preserve their rides originality. A number of its members were recently featured in the movie Cuban Harlistas, a 50-minutes documentary-type film by Guido Giansoldati exploring the passions and difficulties they have endured in order to ride Harleys in Cuba.

The 70 sets of tires were presented in Havana to MOCLA president, Luis Enrique, who welcomed famous motorcycle photographer Michael Lichter for the presentation and a road tour. MOCLA President Luis Enrique commented, “Life was very difficult at many points in my history… My Harley-Davidson got me through all that and where I am today. We are very happy to have received this gift from Metzeler, because this kind of thing has never happened before in Cuba.  We consider ourselves lucky.”

Metzeler’s annual Sturgis V-twin Custom Bike Contest held on August 4th will be themed with selected photographs by Michael Lichter of this unique group of Harlistas and with a debut of the documentary film which profiles some of the group’s characters.

The company states that both the “High Roller” (left) and “Fat Boy (right)” are priced competitively with other 2D wheels on the market. Fitments available for most HD models including 2009’s. Pickard USA

In case you didn’t know, Performance Machine releases only 2 new wheel models every year, each provided with the corresponding matching discs and sprockets, sprockets in 3 versions:- polish, chrome and the very sought after ÒContrast CutÓ. This year the 2 new designs are called the ÒRivieraÓ (left) and the ÒRival (right). All the PM Forged Aluminum wheels are the flagship of their wheels line and some of the finest wheels in the market today.  Performance Machine

The SIOUX  is available in a solid, rugged one piece configuration. Both wheels can be ordered in diameters 16” to 23” and widths from 2.15” up to a massive 14” for the new 360 tires. All are available in Renegade’s flawless finishes including Chrome, Black Ebony and Black Powder Coat. And get this, prices have actually dropped substantially. Renegade Wheels.

Sizing is confusing as there are 5 methods in use. There are three technical organizations that all manufacturers adhere to. The organizations that set the parameters/ranges for permissible ranges for all sizes are the European Tire & Rim Technical Organization, the Japanese Association of Tire Manufacturers and the US Tire & Rim Association.

The 3 most common ones are inch sizing, Alpha numeric and Metric. Metric sizing provides the most information, for example a 140/90H16 where the approximate width is 140 mm, the key word being approximate. Bear in mind that manufacturers are allowed approximately a 5% variance from standard. This is why no two tire measurements from manufacturers are the same. They may both marked 140 but one width may be 134 mm and another 145 mm.

And the size ranges can overlap. One manufacturer’s “140” can actually be narrower than another manufacturer’s “130”. It’s important to check what the actual width of a replacement tire is with the manufacturer to determine if it will fit. Most tire manufacturers’ literature will include overall widths in inches and/or mm and the rim size that each width is measured on. Take a size and check one manufacturer against another and you’ll be able to see quite easily that there can be as much as a quarter to a half inch difference in width between the same sized tires. Be aware that this can cause fitment problems!

Okay, so now we go back to the 140/90H16 tire. The second set of digits, the “90” is the aspect ratio of the tire. The aspect ratio is the relationship of the height of the sidewall to the width of the tire. The aspect ratio of a tire is always expressed as a percentage of height to width, so the “90” in a 140/90-16 means that this tire is 90% as high as it is wide or 126mm tall.

As a 90% aspect ratio or lower tire reaches its maximum adhesion around a corner it will begin to slip. You will start to feel that it’s slipping, but it will fall off on a relatively gradual basis.

On the other hand, lower aspect ratio tires have comparatively better grip, but when they reach their maximum adhesion, they drop off, or begin to slip, more rapidly. There is less warning.

So, low aspect ratio tires are better suited for the skilled rider. And when I say skilled rider, I don’t just mean someone who has been riding for 10 or 15 years. I’m referring to an accomplished rider, who knows how to handle a high performance motorcycle and will be able to sense when he is reaching the maximum limits of his abilities and the machine’s.

Again, let’s go back to the 140/90H16. The letter “H” following the aspect ratio signifies the speed rating of the tire. In the U.S. the Federal Motor Vehicle Department tests only at speeds up to 85 mph. So the tire manufacturers have borrowed the European speed rating system which goes higher. There are five levels in European system: N, S, H, V, W. The N rating is good for sustained speeds up to 93 mph, S is good up to 112 mph, H for speeds up to 130 mph, V 149 mph, W over 149 mph. One common error, regarding speed ratings, is to assume that the higher the speed rating, the better the tire. This is not necessarily true. Application is what determines what tire is best. One problem with this system, however, is that there are no international standards for load and time at these speeds. It’s strictly up to the integrity of the manufacturer of the tire as to how long and at what load, these sustained speeds will be tested.

.Finally, the “16” at the end of the 140/90-16 is the diameter of the wheel on which the tire is to be mounted.

 During the V-Twin Expo, Renegade Wheels, Inc. announced a strategic change in company ownership and management. As of February 6, 2009, Chuck Frederick will carry on as President while Wendell Smith moves on to pursue alternative business ventures.  As founding partners, Smith and Frederick built and established Renegade Wheels into a respected brand and V-Twin marketing innovator.  The company will maintain its aggressive commitment to state-of-the-art designs, unparalleled service and unmatched marketing prowess. In Cincinnati Renegade Wheels unveiled its 2009 lineup, which includes 4 new wheel designs. Renegade Wheels.

First, “Ride Wright Wheels” is a company building all their wheels in-house. Second, they have a large choice of spoke wheels in any powder coating color combination. Third, their wheels are available to fit all the latest 2009 models and of course all custom sizes from 16” to 23”. Fourth, their prices are quite reasonable for the quality they offer. I have no other reason to give you, but if you are looking for a new set of rollers, I would pay them a visit. Ride Wright Wheels.

“When bikers call and want to install a wider tire on their hard tail frame, I give them these hard facts. Tire specifications are taken from the Metzeler 2008 V-Twin tire catalog for the Marathon 880 series tires. These are the numbers for a 200 and a 160 series tires”.
200 Series Tire 200/60 R16 (Recommended rim size = 16 x 5.50-6.25, Tire diameter = 25.94″, Tire width = 7.76″). Comfort zone = 25.64-16.0 = 9.64/2 = 4.82 (Tire rim to ground height).
160 Series Tire 160/80 B16 (Recommended rim size = 16 x 3.50-4.50, Tire diameter = 26.06″, Tire width = 6.38″).
Comfort zone = 26.06 -16.0 = 10.06/2 = 5.03  (Tire rim to ground height). Add .5 to the total for spring or shock mounted seat. Add .25 for gel filled seat. Add .25 for backrest. Add .25 for floorboards. Add 1.5 to the total for Softail shocks. Add 1.5 to the total for dual rear spring shocks. Deduct 1 for any tire with a ration of 50 or less. Deduct .25 for 26 to 49 years old. Deduct .75 for 50 years older or younger. Deduct .75 for any back problems. A satisfactory ride comfort zone rating is 5.55 or better.
Comfort Zone Ratings Summary. 3.0 or less = make sure your insurance is paid up.
3.05-4.0 = Iron Butt and Die Hard riders only. 4.05-5.55 = 100 miles or less between pit stops recommended. 5.56 or better… ride safe and have fun…

That’s my rear tire rating system for rider comfort zone. Of course, the mind set of the biker, for just wanting the look of the wider tire, negates any logical quantifying expert opinion. Scotty. Invader Wheels.