Tires are suspect!

[StatDoc]

Cheers -

I've got handling issues with my '84 FJ and suspect that I've found the reason that she's more of a drifter than a clinger when it comes to corners - the tires are freaking ancient!  Understand, the bike has 15K on the clock - the tires are Dunlops and I suspect that they're originals.
Front has a date code (I believe it's the date code) of M25362 - which I believe makes it a tire manufactured in the 36th week of 1982 - rear is 1 (or I) 26171 - interpretation would be the 17th week of 1981 - implying that my rear tire is 30 years old - which would explain why it's harder than a senators head!  Looks like fresh rubber for the spring (sidewalls are cracked - irregardless of the age they're getting replaced)

Anyone looking for an authentic original set of tires that still has (reasonable) tread?

Steve

[grannyknot]

Steve, there is not much that is better for a burnout/smoke show than a 30 year old tire, hard as hockey pucks.
You wouldn't even need to pop the clutch, just crack it open and make sure you have the camera going.

[FJmonkey]

Steve, there is not much that is better for a burnout/smoke show than a 30 year old tire, hard as hockey pucks.
You wouldn't even need to pop the clutch, just crack it open and make sure you have the camera going.

Make sure the surface you are is not something you care about. A tire that old and hard might just cut through concrete...

[SlowOldGuy]

I thought we recently clarified this.  (At least in the US) the date code is a 4 digit code. The first 2 numbers are the week, the last 2 are the year.

So, if your tires were manufactured in the 36th week of '82, the code would be 3682.  I think you're looking at the wrong number

DavidR.

[simi_ed]

I really doubt that those tire are original with 15K on the clock.  As I remember, I got about 2K on the OEM rear and about 3K on the OEM front.  Unless it was ridden by someone's granny for 15K ...

[FJTillDeath]

Steve, there is not much that is better for a burnout/smoke show than a 30 year old tire, hard as hockey pucks.
You wouldn't even need to pop the clutch, just crack it open and make sure you have the camera going.

Make sure the surface you are is not something you care about. A tire that old and hard might just cut through concrete...

Yay more FJ vids . David is right though about the 4 digit code(i think I was the one who brought up the topic and discussed it at length. But basically I have Dunlops as well, each 2 and 3 years old. No idea how much true mileage is on them but they are starting to wear.

Regardless of how many kookaloos are on the clock I cant see a tire lasting 27 years, atleast not on an FJ. But you said you were gonna replace them anyway

than a senators head!  Looks like fresh rubber for the spring (sidewalls are cracked - irregardless of the age they're getting replaced)

As much as I think we would all like to see an FJ vid, dont torture the FJ oh and dont worry about getting the dates wrong, I got them very wrong too, multiple times

[StatDoc]

One way or the other they're getting replaced - I considered taking my rockwell hardness files to them to establish just how resistant to cutting they may be  there are some serious cracks on the sidewalls - be they 24 years old or 4 they're shot and ready for replacement.  BTW - they do light up really easily - especially when you're leaned over!

[E Double]

I really doubt that those tire are original with 15K on the clock.  As I remember, I got about 2K on the OEM rear and about 3K on the OEM front.  Unless it was ridden by someone's granny for 15K ...

Steve,

Take a picture of them-those tires must be dry rotted all to hell.  I can't imagine tires that old would barely hold air, let alone roll at any appreciable speed without causing one hell of a front end shake.

FWIW the tires on my pickup are four years old and are starting to get the dry rot look to them.  So they may not be as old as you think.

[Pat Conlon]

Good deal Steve, you got that old dry rubber taken care of... but you're not done yet....now, how about those brake lines?