I will try a very sharp razor knife to trim mine

For trimming rubber, either use a wire wheel on a drill motor, or a surform planer.
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp ... AND+BLADES
They work great for rubber. Avoid the temptation to do this with the motor running, the bike in gear an on a center stand. That technique has created disaster before unless you have someone at the controls.

Cheers,

WTF is wrong with you guys..... Either everyone has an engineering degree and works for the govt which makes it necessary to make everything so freaking complicated to justify the wasted years of your life you spent in college to learn nothing..... or have taken so many yoga classes that you think having your head up your ass is normal.

It's this simple, put tire on rim, remount on bike (yes chain and all), wait dont take bike off of rear stand yet.... get out regular old trusty angle grinder like this one - Have a friend ect... spin tire by hand at an even and consistent speed while you grind off enough rubber to stop the tire from contacting the chain, (yes just use the normal freaking grinding disk.... yes the flat surface of it you douchebag) then grind off a little bit more just because I said so. By the way if you and your friend are dumb enough to do this without eye protection on good, maybe you will learn that you should by losing a freaking eye.
Now take bike off stand, put on your riding gear and ride the damn thing.... no don't bother looking at the thing again and re over thinking it, just lube and adjust chain, and keep proper air pressure in the tire.... if it rubs a little so what that will keep that side of the chain clean. JUST LEAVE IT ALONE NOW UNTIL THE TIRE WEARS OUT.

So in short only these things are needed -
1. New Shinko 757 180/60-16R
2. Rear stand
3. Angle grinder with grinding wheel
4. Common Sense

I understand that some may be offended by this post, those will be the same ones who do not have #4 in the above list. My suggestion to them is to sell all motorized transport in there possession and utilize mass transit as a favor to the rest of us, and for the saftey of society in general

Talking about the side and center stand. This is my bike with the 180/60 Avon when the original swingarm was still in. Only one foot of the center stand touched the ground. On the side stand the leaning angle was quite extreme.

Obviously some here are way to concerned that others may choose a different solution than they have. It's obvious from the input of others that several alternatives exist. The idea should be to present known alternatives and let everyone decide which solution they favor, without ridicule. Some people are offended if others don't follow their example. That's silly and immature. And yes, I do have an engineering degree but it's not required for this situation. Lighten up guys, life's too short to sweat the little stuff...

It`s not about that at all. There`s only a small number of size alternatives if you think about reasonable ones. If you say you ignore manufacturer recommendations for use or max. rim sizes (which have a reason), if you don`t care or don`t know about a tires speed index, the weight index and their coherence there are as many alternatives out there as you wish not mentioning slicks which someone long time ago seriously suggested.

Hey Randy
Ethan here . . .
I was just catching up on this ever expanding topic and read your posting on your experience with you tire choices. I know the weather has been Sh!tty these last few weeks BUT I gotta see your setup. So if you plan your weekend rides more than two minutes before hitting the road let me know when you might make it up here to Tomales - if not maybe at some point I can drive down to the City and drop by (with my digital camera and notepad).

I'll PM my home number:

Easy - E