Urgent - R100GS tyre 140 instead of 130

**Fritz** · #1 21 Feb 2006

Currently stranded awaiting a new rear tyre.
Size I need is 130/80/17 (65), I have the chance of a 140. Would be either Metzeler Enduro 3 Sahara, or Pirelli MT60.
I know it´s too wide (I have no spacer).
Whats the chances of being able to Stanley Knife the thread on right hand side so it clears the swingarm. I´m in South America, so fast road riding is not an issue, being able to continue is.
Anyone put a 140 in this situation ?
Very grateful of any responces

**Frank Warner** · #2 21 Feb 2006

I ran a 140 on the K75G/S. Found that the rear would tend to slide down into the trench rather than follow the front wheel, where the 130 would have followed.

I too would think the 140 could be made to fit. Fit it up to the rim and mount it - see how much you would have to cut off?

How difficult is it there to make a spacer? 2 mm thick? The holes don't have to be acurate - only the thickness.

**Timo** · #3 21 Feb 2006

I am currently running a 130/18 on my R80G/S, which is 1 size up from recommended. I shaved the tread on the shaft side, and clearance hasn't been an issue, or handling. I think you can get away with this with a knobby tire - I wouldn't recommend shaving the sidewall at all, but usually it is the tread that overhangs.

There are width differences between tires of a same size but different design. One Manufacturer's tire might work, while another's may not. I'd give it a go. The one main disadvantage is that you will likely have to keep full inflation. Running the tire under-inflated for sand or such will cause too much spread and you might get rubbing. However, the extra width will help in that case anyway. Let us know if you try it and it works!

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**petefromberkeley** · #4 21 Feb 2006

That's right. It will fit, just cut off the tread that hits the shaft- it's not much. I hadn't thought of the problem with lowering the tire pressure, but that could happen. I had the same bike down there and the same difficulty finding the right tire. I have run 120, 130 and 140 at different times.

**Fritz** · #5 22 Feb 2006

Cheers folks, I got lucky. Found a 130 MT60. The TCK I had on to come here I had to trim even though the correct size - first time I ever had to do it, but with a more road tyre was worried not enough to cut off. Sorted now anyway so many thanks ;-)