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Metzeler Unicross Tire Story #52637 09/02/09 10:18 PM
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CG 2005 Offline OP
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I got the Metzeler Uncross tires on. The front mounts up fine and looks good.

The rear 120/90x18 is too big with my present stock chain length. The tire has a much larger O.D. than my Maxxis tires so it hits the front of the swing arm. I will need to lengthen the chain by at least one link. I have enough room in the chain adjusters to accommodate the added length, I hope.

The question is; do I add another master link into the present chain giving it two masters or buy a new chain and cut it one link longer? For sure I will add the second master initially just for measurement.

Last edited by CG 2005; 09/02/09 10:19 PM.

'07 XT 225 (4,500 miles), '06 BMW F650GS (60,000 miles, my "ratter")
Re: Metzeler Unicross Tire Story [Re: CG 2005] #52639 09/02/09 11:08 PM
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Matches Offline
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I'd test with an additional master link to get the size right, then bump to a new chain. Just last month I went from a Pirelli MT21 in a 120/80-18 to a Dunlop D606 in a 120/90-18 (doa!). Had I thought about it (or just went out to my bike and looked!) I would have ordered the 120/80 NOT the 120/90; but oh well.

The point is, one link wasn't enough (for me) as it didn't leave a comfortable amount of room between the swing-arm (near the lower mount of the rear shock) and the tire. Being a bit concerned about a rock getting jammed there (I seen that happen to Magoo) I went a bit longer; checking to make sure I had proper chain-slack, my adjusters are set to "7" now, previously at "3".

Hope this helps

Cheers, Matches


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Re: Metzeler Unicross Tire Story [Re: CG 2005] #52640 09/02/09 11:09 PM
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Magoo Offline
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While it's not a generally-accepted method to make your chain longer using an additional master-link, I did this about 2,000 miles ago and, so far, have not had a problem. I ride pretty hard off-road about 95% of the time. I also had to lengthen the slots that the rear axle moves in, in order to get enough clearance from the leading edge of the rear tire to the trailing edge of the swingarm. My rear tire is the Maxxis Maxx Cross IT in size 120/100/18, which is a little taller than yours, however. Twice, in one day, I picked up a rock in the rear tire which was large enough to lock up the tire when that rock came around and lodged in the above-mentioned space. I was lucky and didn't crash. . . . how lucky do you feel?

As you know, this tire is much heavier than the stock units and I wonder how much harder the engine has to work to get this tire moving? I imagine it robs some power from the engine and certainly adds unsprung weight to the suspension. Riders spend big bucks to eliminate that weight.

I'd like to hear what others think about this. . . . .

Damn Matches. . . . shouldn't you be selling parts, right now?

Last edited by Magoo; 09/02/09 11:14 PM.

Be mindful that a DOUBLING in velocity results in a QUADRUPLING of any impact force.
ALL RIDE IN/ALL RIDE OUT
Re: Metzeler Unicross Tire Story [Re: Magoo] #52643 09/02/09 11:40 PM
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Matches Offline
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Originally Posted By: Magoo
Damn Matches. . . . shouldn't you be selling parts, right now?


wink I'm just a Multi-Tasking kinda guy, what can I say cool

Last edited by Matches; 09/02/09 11:42 PM.

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Re: Metzeler Unicross Tire Story [Re: Matches] #52660 09/03/09 12:48 PM
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Alacrity Offline
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Originally Posted By: Matches
Just last month I went from a Pirelli MT21 in a 120/80-18 to a Dunlop D606 in a 120/90-18 (doa!). Had I thought about it (or just went out to my bike and looked!) I would have ordered the 120/80 NOT the 120/90; but oh well.


Matches:

Did the same thing on the 250 - no issues luckily but kicked myself for not paying attention. Then I realized D606 isnt offered in a 120/80-18. blush

Cheap, light, strong - pick two. There's and effect to a heavier rear tire - but Ive never noticed it much in the type of riding I do. Tread pattern and inflation pressures are readily discernible tho. I'm also bothered by a change in front to rear tire ratios more - but I ride odd. I have a hard time getting many bikes to turn in.

Last edited by Alacrity; 09/03/09 12:53 PM.

Luck
Alac

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." W. Rogers
Re: Metzeler Unicross Tire Story [Re: Matches] #52662 09/03/09 01:13 PM
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CG 2005 Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Matches


The point is, one link wasn't enough (for me)
Hope this helps

Cheers, Matches


How many links did you add above the stock 120 to achieve an adequate distance from the front of the rear fork.

I am looking to a bigger tire for use in deep Florida sugar sand. Hence the move to a 120/90.

My intent this evening is remove the 120 chain and slide the wheel to the back of the fork and check the front clearance and begin to move the wheel forward until I find the clearance I can live with. It may be tighter than the clearance you found acceptable, but I rarely find anything other than sand to ride in. I am thinking I will then get a 130 link chain and begin to size it down a link or two at a time.


'07 XT 225 (4,500 miles), '06 BMW F650GS (60,000 miles, my "ratter")
Re: Metzeler Unicross Tire Story [Re: Alacrity] #52671 09/03/09 03:33 PM
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Matches Offline
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Originally Posted By: Alacrity
Then I realized D606 isnt offered in a 120/80-18.

Ha! Can't belive I never noticed that! Guess it wouldn't have mattered then, eh? LOL

CG 2005 , thats what I ended up doing; buying a 130 link o-ring chain and cutting it to size. I got close first, knowing I only needed 1 or 2 links longer, by laying the old chain down and the new one next to it. Be mindful that if your chain has seen enough abuse, it may have stretched, so always cut your chain longer, at worst. It's a whole lot easier to cut out more links than it is to add 'em, especially if your rolling with an o-ring chain!


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Re: Metzeler Unicross Tire Story [Re: Matches] #52695 09/03/09 10:38 PM
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Actually, I am going to buy a 124 link from some website I found. I disconnected the 120 and moved the wheel to the rear. Then I began moving it forward until I got to a point the varied between 122 and 124 links and provided acceptable clearance. This was determined by placing the 120 over the sprocket as tightly as possible and counting the unchained links. I would like to find a 122 that I don't need to cut, but a 124 will also work. The 124 may not permit much long term ajustability.


'07 XT 225 (4,500 miles), '06 BMW F650GS (60,000 miles, my "ratter")
Re: Metzeler Unicross Tire Story [Re: CG 2005] #53146 09/12/09 11:25 PM
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CG 2005 Offline OP
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Got the 130 link chain and cut out 4 links. The chain adjusters are 1 notch shy of the 6. There seems to be plenty of forward room for sand and there is still room on the rear fork to take up future chain slack.


'07 XT 225 (4,500 miles), '06 BMW F650GS (60,000 miles, my "ratter")

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