Original tire - 15 years old - use it or replace it?
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Original tire - 15 years old - use it or replace it?
Just bought a 1991 bike that has been garaged since new. Both tires are original. The back one has got to be replaced - original owner "flatted" the tread in the middle.
But the front tire looks like new - no cracks, etc. But it is 15 years old.
My older brother, who rode bikes for decades - going back to the Ariels and Indians - said it's fine as long as the rubber isn't cracked etc.
Me, I am real skeptical.
What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance, Bob
But the front tire looks like new - no cracks, etc. But it is 15 years old.
My older brother, who rode bikes for decades - going back to the Ariels and Indians - said it's fine as long as the rubber isn't cracked etc.
Me, I am real skeptical.
What do you guys think?
Thanks in advance, Bob
1984 Nighthawk 650SC
1991 Nighthawk 250
1991 Nighthawk 250
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It may look good, but the rubber has dried out. It probably shows no cracks because it hasn't been rolling with the weight of the bike on it. If it's 15 yrs. old, the cracks will show up soon.
Aside from cracks, rubber that has dried out tends to become hard and somewhat slippery. They will lose traction much easier than a fresh tire.
I've resurrected a few bikes that had ancient tires on them. I rode like I was riding on a wet slippery surface until I could get them replaced.
Aside from cracks, rubber that has dried out tends to become hard and somewhat slippery. They will lose traction much easier than a fresh tire.
I've resurrected a few bikes that had ancient tires on them. I rode like I was riding on a wet slippery surface until I could get them replaced.
Bikin' John
'93 Honda CB750 Nighthawk
'93 Honda CB750 Nighthawk
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Thanks everyone - I'll get front and back ones
as you all know, there's really no margin for error on a bike - and old rubber is pushing the odds the wrong way.
1984 Nighthawk 650SC
1991 Nighthawk 250
1991 Nighthawk 250
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The evil part of me smiled when I read that... "Nah, honey that tire is fine, now lean a little more into that next curve by the ravine...."High_Side wrote:The only tire that I have had that was that old was on the front my wifes old 250 and it was deadly.
"At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."