How old are your tires Motorcycle Safety Discuss How old are your tires in the Other Topics forums; Neighbor bought a 1986 Sportster yesterday with the original tires. Bike only has 6200 miles. Wanted to know if I would ride it to the dealer for new tires. Told ...

[Wrightturn]

Neighbor bought a 1986 Sportster yesterday with the original tires. Bike only has 6200 miles. Wanted to know if I would ride it to the dealer for new tires. Told him no. Loaded it on a truck this a.m.
Told him I am not Burt Monro.

[clif02]

You be a smart man! Them tires were probably dry rotted bad.

[frisco-rigid]

Hey Wright and Clif

I'll tell ya something that just Peeves me off..

I bought my '72 4x4 ford in '72.. The spare tire has sat in it's upright position in the bed since day one.. The truck's never been parked inside and every drop of rain and every Photon of sun that's hit Earth has also hit that tire--36 years in the weather..
I have to wear my cheaters and use a magnifying glass to see the teensy weensy almost microscopic cracks in the tire and the rubber "feels" great..
I would not hesitate a second to run that tire..

On the other hand I bought a sickle tire about 5 years ago that has never been worn, never seen the sun and always been protected indoors..
Just like we're supposed to do.. Just never got around to using it..

That tire has huge horrible canyon-like cracks all over it and it is rotten,, I wouldn't use it on a bet..

This is, I believe, another illustration of the diff in quality from "the good old days" and now..

[evoKENevo]

It just came to my attention that tires have a manufacture date/code on them (in small print) along the bead...and,that many set wherever for YEARS before being sold.

[Wrightturn]

Hey guys,

The tires on my antique are 8yrs old (Avons) and look perfect. The bike gets 1000 mi yr. The wheels are off the ground most of the time and I mount my own tires on this bike.
First sign of cracking or going brittle and I replace tires on cars or sickles. Florida does not have any kind of state inspection for vehicles and you wouldnt believe the crap people ride on. I can wear out a Dunlop before it gets old. The tires on the 86 Sportster had major cracks but were holding air.
Dealers have gone nuts on mounting and balancing. I still have my spoons but don`t like to sweat that much. Can trade and barter with an indy to get the ones I order put on. I found out later the dealer got over $400.00 for two tires.
Wallmart has been catching hell on local TV for selling 6yr old tires. Now we know. Valve stems from China are crap. Firestone changes its name to Bridgestone and that fixes the problem.
Now I feel better.