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Message started by rl153 on 07/16/16 at 14:52:30

Title: Dry rot on tires
Post by rl153 on 07/16/16 at 14:52:30

My bike is a 2005 ,and I still have quite a bit of tread left on my tires. 7k miles..I noticed I'm getting a slight amount of dry rot on the sides,not too much. I kow I'm going to need tires, but how dangerous do you think it is to ride around the way it is for a while, if they are properly inflated?Thanks!

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by Kris01 on 07/16/16 at 15:30:31

If they are rotted then they are dangerous. Your life depends on them! ;)

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by gizzo on 07/16/16 at 15:34:46

So when you guys talk about dry rot do you mean the tyre is crumbling away and hunks fly off (like my trailer tyres) or is it that the tyre is starting to show tiny cracks in the rubber? If its the latter, I don't see the problem. I've had tyres looking that way, they still stick like sh!t to a blanket. I'd use that tyre up unless its really perished (the back tyre on my cabbage must be 10 years old, its not getting changed until its worn out). But as always, YMMV, IMO and just because I do it doesn't make it a good idea. Its a serious question because you guys seem to place a lot of importance on tyre carcass condition where it just isn't an everyday factor where I am.

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by rl153 on 07/16/16 at 16:21:37

I think you're right gizzo,thanks, there are very small cracks on the sides. i don't go too far or too fast. I appreciate the input.

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/16/16 at 17:39:11

If you have 7,000 miles on stock tires, you got 2,000 more than I did. And if they are 11 years old, you can get new ones...
Average the cost..
The tubes are Just as old,, and have been through the same hot and cold cycles. The bike I'm getting has fourteen year old tires. I will probably be replacing them before I ride home.

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by rl153 on 07/16/16 at 19:29:36

thanks JOG, I'll keep that in mind.

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by sauvage on 07/17/16 at 03:27:12

@rl153

Is it not the case that tyres have a use by date due to the gradual seepage of molecules that keep the tyre as sticky as it is meant to be. You can check the date on tyres and depending on the turnover of the shop you may very well be getting a tyre that is two years old before it's sold. Not a bad idea to check the date on the tyres that you choose.

So perhaps an old tyre that looks great may be more dangerous than a newish sticky tyre worn slick.

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by Dave on 07/17/16 at 04:07:18

As rubber ages, some of the things that keep the tires soft and flexible are gone, and the rubber becomes harder....and perhaps a bit of shrinkage occurs. The cracks in the casing rubber are evidence that the rubber has become aged.

On a tire that is that old....the available traction is not nearly as good as it was when the tire was new, and that will be most obvious if you ask the tires to perform at their traction limits....hard braking, fast corners, or a ride in the rain will not be as sure footed on an old tire.

You most likely can get some more use out of the tire - provided you avoid any hard braking or cornering, and don't ride in the rain. On the rescue bike I rode about 400 miles on tires that had 3,800 miles on them and were 14 years old. They were not weather checked and looked fine - but as I rode the bike and pushed it a bit - the back tire did slide while going around a corner.

Since I can mount and balance my own tires - it was only about $130 to mount a set of Shinko tires and make the bike safe to ride again. The Shinko tires work very well on the Savage.

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by rl153 on 07/17/16 at 08:20:52

Thanks Sauvage for that valuable info. I didn't know that. Thanks also Dave, I believe I can safely ride these tires for a while,in the cautious way I usually ride.

Title: Re: Dry rot on tires
Post by WD on 07/18/16 at 23:12:22

Current rear tire was made in 1999, installed in 2000 on my deceased 98 Savage. Tube was installed in a different tire in 98 or 99.

Ride is getting pretty bad. Wore out the installed summer 2015 (made either 94 or 04) a couple months ago. Current tire has noticeable large sidewall cracks, use it anyway. When the tube is visible the tire will get replaced.

Have a nice new Shinko 734 in 130/90-15 ready to go. Can't afford a new tube right now. And refuse to use the summer 2013 tube in the spare wheel as it has a 90 degree stem. More trouble than they are worth since I have a narrow gauge exhaust system (which is rotting through, only lasted since 1999). >:(