Converted my F6B to the Darkside

[willtill]

Will explain to me how you got the centerstand down.
I have not been able to get that part to work. Have had to use the the standard method of removal.
shortleg

Ya.. that part was difficult. Once the bike is laid over, there are four main points of contact; the front right engine guard, the right rear saddle bag guard, and the front and rear wheel.

In order to extend the center stand, one has to basically "coax" that center stand to deploy while the seemingly full weight of the bike is resting on it.... You are basically lifting both wheels off of the ground during that little maneuver.

So I found the best way was to use my Sear's motorcycle jack and lift up the extended side stand with it (but you need to make sure the jack does not move away from the bike - even positioning the jack perpendicular to the bike will make it try to slide away) while you are lifting it up. But it works, the jack will lift the side stand and then you can simultaneously start grabbing the center stand and deploy it to the extended position; thus raising the rear tire (and front tire) from the ground.

[SierraKen]

Ya.. that part was difficult. Once the bike is laid over, there are four main points of contact; the front right engine guard, the right rear saddle bag guard, and the front and rear wheel.

In order to extend the center stand, one has to basically "coax" that center stand to deploy while the seemingly full weight of the bike is resting on it.... You are basically lifting both wheels off of the ground during that little maneuver.

So I found the best way was to use my Sear's motorcycle jack and lift up the extended side stand with it (but you need to make sure the jack does not move away from the bike - even positioning the jack perpendicular to the bike will make it try to slide away) while you are lifting it up. But it works, the jack will lift the side stand and then you can simultaneously start grabbing the center stand and deploy it to the extended position; thus raising the rear tire (and front tire) from the ground.

Yesterday was my day to go Darkside. Layed the bike over and mounted a Bridgestone Driveguard. Not as strong as in my younger days (66 yo), I too used my Sears jack in place of my center stand to lift the rear tire of ground so I could remove the wheel and drop the new wheel onto the studs. Was actually pretty simple.

Between last nights ride and today's, I have approximately 125 miles over all sorts of roads and am enjoying the new tire. Rides smoother, handles well in all sorts of curves. I too noticed it takes alittle more effort to initiate a curve but after just a few miles I got use to it. I don't notice it now.

Currently running the Driveguard at 32 psi. Seems fine but will adjust as necessary.

[wiggy]

Yesterday was my day to go Darkside. Layed the bike over and mounted a Bridgestone Driveguard. Not as strong as in my younger days (66 yo), I too used my Sears jack in place of my center stand to lift the rear tire of ground so I could remove the wheel and drop the new wheel onto the studs. Was actually pretty simple.

Between last nights ride and today's, I have approximately 125 miles over all sorts of roads and am enjoying the new tire. Rides smoother, handles well in all sorts of curves. I too noticed it takes alittle more effort to initiate a curve but after just a few miles I got use to it. I don't notice it now.

Currently running the Driveguard at 32 psi. Seems fine but will adjust as necessary.

Ken, I mounted the Driveguard a couple months back and have about 1800 miles on mine. I really like this tire. I would however recommend getting tire pressure monitors. I have the FOBO TPM on my bike. It sells for about a hundred bucks. It's just peace of mind but I want to know when my tires lose air. It's great having a runflat tire knowing I don't have to fix the tire right on the spot if I lose pressure.
If I can get 18-22k out of this tire, I'll be one happy camper considering I only paid about 106 at a local tire place called Flatso's. I'm running about 34 psi cold pressure in mine. As I ride, the tpms report up to a 4 or 5 psi increase.

[SierraKen]

Ken, I mounted the Driveguard a couple months back and have about 1800 miles on mine. I really like this tire. I would however recommend getting tire pressure monitors. I have the FOBO TPM on my bike. It sells for about a hundred bucks. It's just peace of mind but I want to know when my tires lose air. It's great having a runflat tire knowing I don't have to fix the tire right on the spot if I lose pressure.
If I can get 18-22k out of this tire, I'll be one happy camper considering I only paid about 106 at a local tire place called Flatso's. I'm running about 34 psi cold pressure in mine. As I ride, the tpms report up to a 4 or 5 psi increase.

Was out again today on the bike and put the new tire thru some good twisties. Also loving the tire. Running currently at 32 psi and it seems fine. I also use the FOBO sensors which I had put on my old mOtorcycle tires. Ride safe and often!

[willtill]

Now I have "officially" completed my Darkside conversion

[olegoat345]

Don't know much about the dark side but I would think your tire pressure should be 40psi. or more, perhaps max PSI....... Seems like that would help to "round" the tread a bit and remove any "squirm" in the side wall. The "B" is not much weight for a car tire, it might out last you....................

[Felloverboard]

Don't know much about the dark side but I would think your tire pressure should be 40psi. or more, perhaps max PSI....... Seems like that would help to "round" the tread a bit and remove any "squirm" in the side wall. The "B" is not much weight for a car tire, it might out last you....................

28--30 lbs air on a Driveguard RF has given me 28,000 miles on the tire with no slip or slide and the best traction I have had in any tire. The tire at those pressures with bend on the tread will still give more tread on the ground than any Moto tire. If you put 40 lbs in you would ride up on the edge of the tire instead of letting the tire bend and conform to the road/weight ratio. You do not want a car tire to be round, you want the tread to bend. Soft rubber on the outside, silica bands in the middle and you can put in a plug if needed. I ride out from Orlando, FL to the NC mountains and WV often. Handles great on the interstate and on the Dragon if you so desire. I prefer the Blue Ridge Parkway myself.

[Cali261]

28--30 lbs air on a Driveguard RF has given me 28,000 miles on the tire with no slip or slide and the best traction I have had in any tire. The tire at those pressures with bend on the tread will still give more tread on the ground than any Moto tire. If you put 40 lbs in you would ride up on the edge of the tire instead of letting the tire bend and conform to the road/weight ratio. You do not want a car tire to be round, you want the tread to bend. Soft rubber on the outside, silica bands in the middle and you can put in a plug if needed. I ride out from Orlando, FL to the NC mountains and WV often. Handles great on the interstate and on the Dragon if you so desire. I prefer the Blue Ridge Parkway myself.

I have no dog in the fight, and no plans to switch over. Just providing this link for those that are curious about what may or may not be something to consider about making the transition. In other words: don’t kill the messenger....

https://ridermagazine.com/2016/05/20...n-motorcycles/

[seadog]

Ya.. that part was difficult. Once the bike is laid over, there are four main points of contact; the front right engine guard, the right rear saddle bag guard, and the front and rear wheel.

In order to extend the center stand, one has to basically "coax" that center stand to deploy while the seemingly full weight of the bike is resting on it.... You are basically lifting both wheels off of the ground during that little maneuver.

So I found the best way was to use my Sear's motorcycle jack and lift up the extended side stand with it (but you need to make sure the jack does not move away from the bike - even positioning the jack perpendicular to the bike will make it try to slide away) while you are lifting it up. But it works, the jack will lift the side stand and then you can simultaneously start grabbing the center stand and deploy it to the extended position; thus raising the rear tire (and front tire) from the ground.

You turn your backside to the bike, you can even layback on the bike a little, with the kick stand swung out grab it and the center stand and using your legs lean back and pull up and swing the center stand out. It wasn't that hard and there is no big red S on my T-shirt either.

[willtill]

You turn your backside to the bike, you can even layback on the bike a little, with the kick stand swung out grab it and the center stand and using your legs lean back and pull up and swing the center stand out. It wasn't that hard and there is no big red S on my T-shirt either.

Hmmm... I must've missed that memo At any rate... it is done