Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 02:18 am:
I'm not sure if anyone has watched the news about the midwest blizzard, I'm in the center of it in Lincoln, NE. But looking out the window at the 12+ inches of snow got me thinking about snow tires. When I was growing up we used to screw long wood screws thru the big nobs on our dirtbike tires then put the tube back in and put the whole thing back on the bike. Then we went 'arctic' dirtbiking. These were larger 4-cycle kawa 450s, there were times when one of us would get stuck and fall over so they weren't fool proof mods.
However, on the ice is where they really shined, you could still wipe out super easy but at slow speeds it was like riding on a stripped road thats ready for black top. So my question is that, if someone could modify or use a rim that requires a tube could put screws through on/off road tires and ride in the snow or ice. Or better yet, make some heavy mods so it could have tracks and a big ski in front. You're probably wondering what drugs I'm on or that I've watched way too much Batman but I just thought that it would be one hell of a cool project but like I said, are there snow tires for a Buell?
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 02:29 am:
I am yet to find a Buell size tire that works good on the ice or snow. I found out the hard way that the Dunlop D616 that comes on the 06 Uly sucks, and thats the best off road tire that fits no problem.
I was beginning to look into putting studs on a Pirelli MT75 for my Blast.
There is also the Snow Claw, I just have been too cheap to pick one up: Snow Claw
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 02:42 am:
I'm just worried about sliding out while leaning into a turn. I've done that on a gravel road and broke my ankle so I can't imagine how bad snow and ice would be.
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 02:59 am:
If it starts to slide while leaned over, your done. Hell even straight up if you hit black ice it falls like Chuck Norris kicked it out from under you. In those situations, only thing that may help would be studs/spikes/snowclaw
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 10:55 am:
I will see if I can find the link to the ones I had wanted to buy, but they are very similar to the ones Jaimec linked to. The ones I was looking at are titanium so they won't wear down driving on cement and if I recall, they can be screwed into the tire with a regular drill using the provided adaptor.
Might have to use a #4 or #6 to get the length shorter.
Last I read about ice racing, this is the same type of screw that they use. Align the slot for the type of traction you need. Across the tire for drive, along direction of travel for cornering. Probably not so good on the pavement so the carbide (or whatever) tire studs might be better. Notice the use of knobby tires so that you have enough rubber to keep from letting the air out.
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 04:08 pm:
LoL, wow I'm a smart one. Those are exactly what I was thinking of getting, work is hectic today though and it's been a while since I looked at them last. Thanks for finding the link!
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 04:26 pm:
As far as I know, yes you can buy them in bulk. The more I think on the subject the more convinced I am that they were the #4 screws and short like 1/4 inch long or something like that.
I may have to try and get to the race this winter and take a closer look, I think it was every February on lake Ontario north of Rochester NY.
Posted on Wednesday, December 09, 2009 - 09:16 pm:
Back in the day I just screwed hex head sheet metal screws into each knobby on my DR125. What a blast ripping around the lake all day. I was a rockstar doing 40 mph (top speed of that bike) WFO runs. I was easily impressed with myself at 13 years of age.
Meh, they're old and were getting replaced sometime next summer anyways. I say screw the tires and pump in some of the yellow expansion goo-like tire sealer stuff in the aerosol can from Wally-World (yes it's for bicycles, but it has been working perfect for a nail hole in my XB's rear tire for the last 2000 miles, so it must be pretty decent stuff). I think I may have to try that and see what happens. Those pictures from the link above and all the vids Ive seen make me want to take the Blast cruising across my lake while the people sitting in their warm houses stare in confusion!