Modern Vespa

Bought two michelin city grips. Are they supposed to be directional?

yes they are

There will be a rotation direction arrow on the side of the tire, if it is directional.

City Grips have directional arrows. So for MP3 front wheels, one goes on one way, one the other. Then make sure you mount them the correct side of the bike as well.

I had them mounted and did not remember they were directional. Mounted both on the rims so they fit the left front side. thought I was going to have to buy a tire that was designed for the right side.

Called my automotive tire man, Tidwells Tire, here in Longview tx. He assured me it was no problem just remount the tire to turn it over and correct the directional problem. Problem solved!!!!!

Rookies! What is our learning curve??

So are saying the they have to be counter to each other on the front?
Much like a dual prop arraignment on a 2-prop 2-engine boat, one clockwise the other counterclockwise.
If so which one for which side?

Automotive man did not have the proper equiptment to balance the motorcycle tire. Took it to East Texas Motor Sports here in Longview, Tx. He convinced me to to use the beads to balance the two tires. I trust him so i asquisced.

Turns out when I got back home and checked my old tires they still had some of the OEM balancing beads in the tire. Piaggio had balanced them with beads!!

He said the reason beads do not seem to work is because the installer does not check the specifications of the particular tire to see which bead packet should be installed.

Problem solved!!!

Wrong specks no proper traction.

Last edited by Phillip..P. Smith on Mon Jan 21, 2013 4:27 pm; edited 1 time in total

Jimc, there are directional arrows on the tire. observe them and mount them so they rotate forward

I don't need to be told - apparently others do.

were they little black beads? bet they were. take one and crush it, its rubber balls and they are a normal occurrence in tires that go thru numerous heat cycles over the life of the tires. Diddly squat for balancing. Oh and I have never ever seen a manufacture use those beads for balancing tires in 40 + years. Also have never ever seen them used in races teams either.

If the installer can't balance the tires they should have told you that upfront. now you can do it yourself just have to buy the stick on weights and the marc parnes balance tool. look in the wiki there is a video of how to.

He gave me a choice of which balancing I desired. I trust his judgment and I am giving the beads a test. I will report further experience.

Or you can just bring your bike by OAD's. Texas and Tennessee are right next to each other so it shouldn't be a very long drive.

no problem on my end. I do plenty of them. just let me know when.

It is only 723 miles. Little over 10 hours. No problem!!

Get a new rear installed whole you're there for ride home.

Went darkside (installed a car tire) 5,000 miles ago. Hardly any wear.

Car tire? I thought that was a running joke. Example?

Not a joke at all. Just do a search on darkside tire.
Darksiders, report !