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Message started by ArkansasBrian on 05/19/18 at 08:14:53

Title: Weird tire damage
Post by ArkansasBrian on 05/19/18 at 08:14:53

So, I noticed this cracking (?) On my tire this morning. It goes all the way around. I added air yesterday because I noticed my guage read 20 psi. I aired it up to the recommended 36 for riding double with my wife and didn't notice anything amiss at the time. Road for an hour or so. We combine to to total of 330 lbs. The wife says she smelled burning rubber while we were riding, but I didn't notice anything.

No unusual surfaces, a fair number of speed bumps, some train tracks, top speed around 45 mph. Any thoughts on cause? Would it be idiotic to ride in this condition? Tires are Metzler 880s. Tread wear doesn't look too bad. Exact age and mileage would be a question for Lancer. I've put on 400 miles or so since I bought it from him. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by norm92de on 05/19/18 at 08:34:27

Do you think you may have something rubbing the tire? It doesn't look like tread separation.

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by oldNslow on 05/19/18 at 09:03:54

That looks like it might be the head of one of the bolts that go through the rear fender from the inside, that hold the chrome side pieces on. Do you have saddlebag supports on your bike, or a 140/90 instead of the OEM 140/80 rear tire?

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by NucleaRR on 05/19/18 at 10:02:38

I agree that this is definitely something rubbing the tire. Once you added more air it probably puffed it up enough to rub something. Plus the weight of the passenger. I’m not familiar enough with the Meltzer’s shoulder profile to say if that is safe or not. My concern would be leaning in turns and also premature tire separation. Sorry for the bad luck.

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by Dave on 05/19/18 at 10:48:44

That is definitely caused by the rear fender bolts rubbing the tire.

What size rear tire is it?

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by ArkansasBrian on 05/19/18 at 10:51:44

After further examination, oldNslow wins the prize! Looking for potential rubs, I noticed this powdered tire rubber on the nuts holding the saddlebag to the fender.

Seeing as how theres still tread beyond the depth of the worn area area,(apparently Lancer wasn't exactly over-using the shoulder before I got it) combined with the fact that I'm not generally leaning enough to use the shoulder of the tire much myself, I think I'm going to risk it. Only solo from now on though. That extra person weight makes a  huge difference in back tire clearance.

That said, I'll definitely be keeping an eye on the situation.

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by ArkansasBrian on 05/19/18 at 10:53:45

It's a 140/80.

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by Gary_in_NJ on 05/19/18 at 11:54:36

Might want to crank-up the shock preload the next time you're two-up.

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by oldNslow on 05/19/18 at 12:14:14

I'd recommend replacing the hex head bolts with something that has a smaller head. Button head bolts that have an allen socket in the head or something similar. On my bike I also had to move the mounting tabs for the saddlebag supports to the outside of the fender, between the fender and the chrome decorations, in order to have enough clearance. Even after changing the bolts the edge of one of the saddlebag support mounting tabs  on one side was still lightly hitting the tire going over big bumps. I weigh about 170 with all my gear on and don't carry a passenger. However the roads that I typically ride on around here are awful.  I'm running a 140/90 Shinko 712 tire and the bike still has the OEM shocks.With a 140/80 tire you might not have to move the supports.

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by ArkansasBrian on 05/19/18 at 16:04:49

Shocks were fully cranked. I'll have to look into the buttonhead bolts, and maybe moving the saddlebag rack to the outside as well. I was kind of surprised at how far those boltheads stick out when I looked under there. Until I get around to that, we'll just have to take turns. Thanks for the advice y'all!

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by batman on 05/19/18 at 23:47:02

It's hard to see how deep that grove is in the tire from the pic. but the tread groves are always deepest on the sides ,(the center of the tire wears faster) I'd think about replacement just for safety. I'd also check to make sure the spacers that fit on the shaft just inside the swingarm are install correctly ,they are two different lengths, the longer one goes on the drive pulley side, if reversed the wheel would be pushed closer to bolts that did the damage.

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by antmanbee on 05/20/18 at 19:16:33

That tire is due for replacement even without the gouging in the side wall.
Looks pretty thin in the center.

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by batman on 05/20/18 at 21:35:00

I have to agree with Antmanbee ,Get a new tire. There's two things you NEED on your bike,  good tires and good brakes .If you don't have them you could be seriously hurt ! If the bike doesn't start or run it can't kill you. If the tire fails at speed your in big trouble!

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 05/20/18 at 23:23:50

Tire looks whoa OUT
But
If it was gonna die because of the side being weakened by the groove I think it would have give up the ghost While the groove was being cut.
You've got as much carcass under the cut as out in the middle, I'd think.

Sure, replace it, but I don't see anything to panic over.
Just don't let it get worse.
You're not running the slab are you?

Title: Re: Weird tire damage
Post by Dave on 05/21/18 at 03:40:08

What does the date code on the tire say?  It will be a 4 digit number that is burned/etched in the rubber - it will look a bit different than all the other letters and numbers on the tire.

The first 2 digits are the week, and the last two are the year......2714 would be the 27th week in 2014.  About 5 years is the limit for me to feel safe as the rubber begins to get pretty hard and traction is compromised.

The "new" groove isn't any deeper than the tread - so that alone wouldn't cause me to replace it.

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