H: Hubs, Wheels and Tyres Comet tyre selection / Centre Stand Height

evcomet

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
I have been riding the new Comet quite a bit. Each time out makes me just a bit happier. Just a little adjusting has made the Amal Concentric very acceptable.
After discovering that the tires were a good bit older( 12yrs) than I would prefer, I studied my choices and decided to order Avon tires.

Speedmaster MKII 3.50-19 up front and SM A76 4.00 18 (26.7 tall) in the rear.

So I knew that the new rear was just a bit taller, a bit more than an inch, but I was sure that half of that would be no problem.
This morning I realized that the tire drags a bit when the Comet is on the center stand. I believe I can live with this, but what tires would have been a better selection?

The rear tire I removed was a Dunlop TT100 4.10-18 (25.5 tall).

Jerry
 

evcomet

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
So my ignorance can not be ignored.
After a little more reading, it seems that a center stand is not standard on a Comet??
Boy, do I have a lot to learn.

I am not certain what motorcycle this stand came from, but it works quite well.

Jerry
 

Attachments

  • thumbnail.jpeg
    thumbnail.jpeg
    208.4 KB · Views: 41

Bill Thomas

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Hello Jerry, Looks like a Dave Hills stand from UK, Many people are very happy with them, But they need adjusting to each Bike, When you order one from Dave, You have to tell him what your setup is and he makes it as close as he can.
You may be able to screw the fittings in a bit on the rear spring boxes, That would lift the wheel a bit.
As you have found, Any change to the bike can alter how high or low the bike rides.
So many different types of tyres can be fitted, Depends how fast you ride, And how much you want to lean the bike over, It's what ever suits you..
The "C" Comet had a 19" on the rear and a 20" on the front.
The "D" s had an 18" on the rear and a 19" on the front.
They all work !!, Some better than others.
I have an 18" on the back of my "C" Twin With a WM3 rim and 19" on the front WM2 rim.
Cheers Bill.
 

BigEd

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
VOC Forum Moderator
So I knew that the new rear was just a bit taller, a bit more than an inch, but I was sure that half of that would be no problem.
This morning I realized that the tire drags a bit when the Comet is on the center stand. I believe I can live with this, but what tires would have been a better selection?
The rear tire I removed was a Dunlop TT100 4.10-18 (25.5 tall).
Jerry
If your new rear tyre is touching the ground on the centre stand the usual dodge is to put a bit of weld on the bottom of the pads on the stand or cut two bits of sheet steel of a suitable thickness and weld those on. You can put packers under the stand to find out how much you need to add. Remember the higher the tyre is off the ground the harder it is to put on the stand.
 

evcomet

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
If your new rear tyre is touching the ground on the centre stand the usual dodge is to put a bit of weld on the bottom of the pads on the stand or cut two bits of sheet steel of a suitable thickness and weld those on. You can put packers under the stand to find out how much you need to add. Remember the higher the tyre is off the ground the harder it is to put on the stand.

A bit of 3/16" plate is a great idea! Easy to experiment to find proper thickness.

Jerry
 

vibrac

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Before I fitted Daves stand back with my new coilover I tapped two 1/4 bsf holes in each of the feet in case I had to use pads however I have not had to use them.
 

Albervin

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Of course the other thing to be aware of is you ignore the recommended tyre pressures in the Vincent books. You need about 26 psi up front and 28-32 psi on the rear. It all depends on the exact type of tyre and load.
 

evcomet

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Of course the other thing to be aware of is you ignore the recommended tyre pressures in the Vincent books. You need about 26 psi up front and 28-32 psi on the rear. It all depends on the exact type of tyre and load.

Thanks for the tire pressure information. I started at a little bit lower pressure, 22psi front, 24 rear.
I will add a few psi when I ride today.

Jerry
 
Top