New Tyre fitting disaster...

[Anti-Dive Dave]

Sorry to hear about all the problems.....I would not be afraid of a four year old tyre

Aww gee, thanks Kurt.  I guess the problems are, that I stay in a one horse town, where the one horse died years ago.

I'm also registered disabled, and struggle doing some things on my own (neighbour is a GREAT help to me when I need help).

As for the tyre: it's kept the pressure up so far. I had the bike out yesterday to collect my 15kg bag of dog food. (invest in a sticky non slip mat, and lay across pillion seat and K2 panniers....slap bag of food on top and hold by just 2 bungee cords! - doesn't shift even at 120mph!.....yes, I hit that on a straight road....with the new front tyre....still alive......)

Sorry  ......waffled a bit....back to the 4 year old new tyre:

It's a damn sight better than what I had before!! (i had the same tyre, but it was as bald as an old coot after 3600 miles).

I'll just ride with it on, and not think about the what ifs. (I don't have any other option available for now!)

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How many bikers (and I'm talking about ALL bike riders) check how old their tyre is?  

I mean, we go to a garage, ask the shop to fit or supply...and they leave with new rubber, oblivious of whether or not it was made 2 months ago, or 2 years ago.

WHO CHECKS?  I bet the majority say "we don't or never have done". Yes, for the racers and drag strip boys, they will check everything, but for everyday folk who ride bikes, I bet there's only a small few who will ask the date BEFORE the tyre is fitted.

That means, there are MANY riders out there with garage fitted/supplied new tyres, and have no idea how old they are.

Here's an experiment....can you ALL go check the age/date of manufacture code on your tyres, and then get back to me.

I bet there are lots of "new" tyres, just bought and fitted, that may be older than 2 years!

People buy tyres from the internet, from what seems like a "decent" company (be it eBay or Amazon).  But, those suppliers (although they have a few in stock) may have had the tyre sitting on the shelf for donkeys years.  But it's still new!

Just a thought!  So - Y'all get on yer knees and read off the date codes.  (The supplier websites can show you how to date them)

There may be a few surprises out there in FJ land!

Toodles!  

[andyb]

It's a damn sight better than what I had before!! (i had the same tyre, but it was as bald as an old coot after 3600 miles).

Figured it would be.  It's one of the great difficulties in comparing tires that you've owned over the years, each new one is a nice upgrade to the worn thing you took off!

How many bikers (and I'm talking about ALL bike riders) check how old their tyre is?  

I mean, we go to a garage, ask the shop to fit or supply...and they leave with new rubber, oblivious of whether or not it was made 2 months ago, or 2 years ago.

WHO CHECKS?  I bet the majority say "we don't or never have done". Yes, for the racers and drag strip boys, they will check everything, but for everyday folk who ride bikes, I bet there's only a small few who will ask the date BEFORE the tyre is fitted.

That means, there are MANY riders out there with garage fitted/supplied new tyres, and have no idea how old they are.

Here's an experiment....can you ALL go check the age/date of manufacture code on your tyres, and then get back to me.

I do my own tire changes.  I check the manufacture date of every tire I put on, every time.  I also check and double check which way the stupid thing is supposed to rotate... that's one of those mistakes that you make once, and right after the bead seats and you're feeling great, your wife asks why the arrow is facing the wrong direction.   

Not that I'm bitter.

And seeing as I've not checked my tires in awhile, because I checked when I put them on, let me go look and I'll tell ya.  The ZX9's rubber was changed at 38,800 miles on the odo, which was 3/30/2012, with Bridgestone BT-023GT's.  Both tires have a date code from the middle of 2011, and with slightly over 4,000mi and 57 dragstrip passes are looking decidedly sad.  The front is starting to get a funny profile, and the back is nearly down to the wear bars.  Both will be replaced in the spring.  The FJ's tires were applied in July of 2010, are dated from 2009, and still pretty much look new, as they have very few miles on them.  I didn't check the other bikes, as the KZ doesn't run without dumping oil at a mad rate, the XS doesn't run without ether, and the VF runs brilliantly but hasn't bee run in two years.

I bet there are lots of "new" tyres, just bought and fitted, that may be older than 2 years!

People buy tyres from the internet, from what seems like a "decent" company (be it eBay or Amazon).  But, those suppliers (although they have a few in stock) may have had the tyre sitting on the shelf for donkeys years.  But it's still new!

That's why I buy from reputable dealers and check the date codes..   Personally, I buy my tires from DennisKirk as a rule, as they'll pricematch and they ship from MN, so I wait two days to get them rather than a week from the coasts.  They don't carry Shinko (or didn't, the last I checked), and the FJ wears an odd size, so I last got one from Schnitz, which is also in the midwest and doesn't take as long to arrive.

[ribbert]

When I still had my 16" rear I was tyre hunting on the phone. I rang one place, told him what I was after (Michelin Macadam) and he informed me he had a couple but suggested I really didn't want one. WTF?
He said the last batch of those brought into the country was 5 years ago, so at best, any tyre I found on the shelf was at least 5 years old.

With the miles  I do and the tyres I like, they are an annual purchase, so they don't get old on the bike and there is so much good stuff happening with tyre technology I tend to buy tyres that haven't been out long enough to get that old on the shelf.

Age will eventually turn tyres rock hard and the State I live in is considering making tyres automatically unroadworthy after 5 years. As much as I hate Govt. over regulation, I don't think this is a bad idea.

Noel

[SlowOldGuy]

After finally wearing out what was probably the last 150/80 - 16 Metzeler MEZ-2 in the world, it was replaced with what is probably the second to last 16 inch Dunlop D205 in the world.

The date on the Metzeler was early '02.  The date on the Dunlop is 4102.

Oh yeah, what is probably the last 16 inch D205 in the world is sitting on my tire shelf.  It also has a date code of 4102!

DavidR.

[Anti-Dive Dave]

The date on the Metzeler was early '02.  The date on the Dunlop is 4102......the 16 inch D205 sitting on my tire shelf has a date code of 4102!

VERY INTERESTING! - and many thanks for that David!  

Hmmm - now I know theres not just me in the world that has "over dated" tyres fitted (or to fit).  *phew!

I can't see how it's possible that everyone will have "split new-just made-rubber still warm" tyres.  These manufacturers punted them out at a phenomenal rate years ago.  They were bought and sold and stocked all over the world, so there are thousands of places that must have ordered some back in day, never sold any, or still have a few left.  Hence the "new old stock" that frequently turns up.

This interests me now, as I wonder if it's not all hype about fitting old tyres.  OK, I don't mean it's ALL hype, and I can understand the concerns...but I have never known a tyre to go solid (as a brick) with age as it sits on a shelf.  And I would never fit a new old tyre that was showing signs of wear/cracking/perishing.

Yes, I have experienced tyres FITTED to a bike that was laid up in a shed for 20 years - they were perished and hard/split/cracked.

But a new unfitted tyre has not been exposed to pressure changes, belting stresses or the various changing road and weather conditions.  They've hopefully been sat on a shelf or laid flat, and never experienced the full weight of a bike on the one spot for months.

That's why I personally think they should be ok to use.  (I would not risk my life if I was sure it was REALLY a bad move).  I have never read a tyre report or a test of using motorcycle tyres that are "out of date" or manufactured say 10 years ago, and then fitted.  I'd be curious to read a review and performance test on various brands.  Just to convince me that it's not a ploy for tyre makers to sell more new tyres by not recommending we buy the "new old stock".

As an example: what about all those old british bikes? You can still buy (once you find) ORIGINAL 1940/50s and 60s tyres, and fit them AND run them too!

Ok, they are not doing 120mph plus, but the theory is still the same. It's an old tyre, but new and never fitted.  My '56 BSA has original tyres fitted from a dealer that shut down 20 years ago. He had them on the shelf, new, and they were made in 1954!!

As said at the top, many thanks for that SuperOldGuy, and my apologies for another long winded, waffle filled post.

Honest...I'm only 42....not 92!

[Anti-Dive Dave]

let me go look and I'll tell ya......

Many thanks for doing that Andy.  It's good to get everyones views and opinions!  I envy you being able to buy fresh rubber!

H2H

[Anti-Dive Dave]

I tend to buy tyres that haven't been out long enough to get that old on the shelf.....The State I live in is considering making tyres automatically unroadworthy after 5 years.

Hello Noel.  That's another vote for buying rubber thats still warm from the moulding then?!  I gotta admit, it must be great being able to afford that, and I envy you all!  This proposed Government thing for making it illegal to have a tyre over 5 years old will cripple a hell-of-a-lot of folk.

Unless they come out with a precise, scientific survey and assesment about why 5 year old tyres are any more dangerous that a 3 year old tyre, I think they might have a public fight on their hands. This may cripple a lot of dealers, who have shed-loads of "new, but old stock" tyres sitting in the back.  They may be perfectly ok to use. Not all dealers can afford to re-supply every year with new rubber.  What would the disposal system be for literally tens of thousands of old ones?

All these poor buggers that are building/restoring their bikes/cars in the shed/garage.  Their wheels are hanging up, and the tyres on them are sound and ok.  But when they get to the finish and have the vehicle road tested/MOT, they fail or get fined cos the tyres are 5 years old - and never been on the road! 

I wonder what is going to happen to all the classic bike riders out there - the Nortons/BSAs/Velos/ etc.  Bike only ever used on sunny days...perhaps a few hundred miles a year....stored in a shed....and will fail the tyres cos they are now "unroadworthy" after the bike taking 5 years to reach a thousand miles!

I thought british Government rules and regulations were bizarre...but reading about some of Australia and New Zealands, I feel really sorry for you guys!   

[FJmonkey]

One of the elements that attacks tires is Oxygen. Oxidization alters the rubber compound slowly over the years. Heat and UV radiation help the deterioration go even faster. Stored in a warehouse still allows Oxidization unless they fill the tire storage area with a inert blanket gas to keep the oxygen out. Then they would likely store indefinitely with no ill effects. And tire cost would be insane. Check your tire dates, ride accordingly. We already make decisions to partake in risky activities by riding our bikes, so understand the risk(s) and stay as safe as you can.

[Pat Conlon]

I have to respectfully disagree with my friend DavidR.

Tires made on the 41st week of 2002 have no business on a 120hp FJ that is capable of the speed and loads we carry. *Period*

Old tires on a lightly ridden classic bike is one thing, but on our FJ's... it is a entirely different matter.


But hey, it's your skin (literally) .......Just remind me 'cause I don't want to be caught riding behind you.

[andyb]

One of the elements that attacks tires is Oxygen.

Specifically, ozone, which is a really powerful oxidizer.

I have to say that it's much more likely for people to find hard, old tires fitted to bikes that were stored for years, because most people store our tires on a bike!  Not very many people go buy tires and then let them moulder in the garage for ten years or so, so it makes sense that you'll see them more commonly aged while on a motorcycle!

Arguably, storing them mounted is better, because there's no air circulation inside; once the oxidization has happened, there's just inert gas in there (mostly nitrogen and CO2), so they can only oxidize on the outside after that.  Doesn't matter to me, it's the only contact I have with the road, and if there's any question, I don't use them.

I figure that a good tire coupled with skill will keep my ass off the pavement, but a great tire will occasionally help in those moments when I run out of talent.  It's like a helmet, you don't need it every single time, but it's sure helpful when you do, and so very difficult to predict when that time will be (excluding the 3 seconds directly prior!)  I've crashed pretty badly before because of exactly that situation; I had an acceptably worn tire of an older style and many years aged and ran out of talent.  I'm sure that had I been shod with nicer rubber, I'd have had less painful results.  

That said, there isn't a definite hard line, tires more than 1,824 days aren't instantly bad but tires 1,823 days are okay until sundown.  More likely, they go bad progressively and linearly over time, getting worse and worse, starting from the day they're made.

[Pat Conlon]

..... I envy you being able to buy fresh rubber!

Dave, that's one of the many reasons we did our 17" wheel conversions, so we don't have to worry about old rubber. As a bonus, often the modern 17" tires are on sale and are readily available world wide...

[RichBaker]

I've had this problem on an iPad.

Hey there Dan!

Do you mean you get that problem in general, as in, "thats an i-pad glitch", or did you mean you are having the same problem when using THIS site, when using your i-pad?

I'm just running a home computer.  Windows 7 Ultimate, 64bit, with IE-8.

If I resort to 32bit and try compatability mode, it still happens. Hopefully, someone can fix the bug/glitch/problem. One for the Admin to scratch their heads over methinks!

H2H

Same prob here, 32-bit PC/XP/IE8...

[BSI]

the weirdest thing I ever saw was with my trailer tires....they came on the used trailer and while they didn't match they had lots of tread, one was a Michellin, the other a Firestone...I hauled stuff around local with no problem

when I bought my 86' FJ the carbs were junk so I hauled it 60 miles on trailer to a motorcycle mechanic friend...then hauled it back home, lots of interstate but I kept it around 60-65 mph, got home, unloaded and parked the trailer with no problem

2 weeks later my neighbor came over to borrow my trailer....we both were shocked and just looked at each other stunned when we saw my trailer tires...it looked like someone had put explosives in both of them....they were both flat with steel cords sticking out everywhere and the tread cap separated like a peeled onion on one of them

all we could figure was the heat cycle of 60 (x2) miles/60mph/500 lbs got the best of them..but why it happened while setting still without doing it at speed with 500 lbs on it, I have no clue...a ~blessing~ doesn't always need to be explained to me and I thankfully took it as that...but it heightened my awareness of the risk associated with tires to say the least...it's still strange when I vision it, they didn't just go flat, they both literally disintegrated / blew apart just setting there

[Dan Filetti]

Hmmm, never saw the question, must have been between pages....  So for me, on the iPad/ Safari, it happens consistently, not sure if it's a Safari thing or an iPad thing, or just a Dan's iPad thing...

Dan

[Flying Scotsman]

My computer does the invisible type thing after so many lines 

I have a new front tire siting in my garage has been there for more than a year.Avon.Going to go on in spring.
When I bought my 85 it had a Maxis on the front and rear.
Changed rear to Dunlop and left the maxis on front.Its prety mutch a slick now but has good grip when conditions are good.(not cold ).
Not sure the date on the Avon I did check when I bought it but its been a whille.
Its in great condition feells soft and I got it for $60 when i bought it.I am looking forward to testing it out.

If anyone is sitting on new tires that are a few years old and they dont want them I could always use a few more for one of the other bikes.

1984 FJ1100 Front ? Rear ?
1985 FJ1100 Front Maxis Rear Dunlop
1990 FJ1200 Front Michelin Rear Michelin

Just bought the 84 it needs every thing inc tires front is ok looking but some off brand low speed tire and the rear is 1/2 bald and dry and cracked good only for a burnout after refilling with air.
1990 has a slow leak in the rear as well and I think that its on backwards too.