Tread separation? On an Elite II??

[Schlepporello]

Please say it ain't possible!

I was out in the garage tonight, pulling my old rear wheel bearings, and I noticed a crack in the tread of my tire. Not much of one (but dang sure enough to catch my attention), just about 3" long running through a tread gap around the circumferance of the tire. So I rolled the tire around a little more and 1/3 around the tire from the crack was a ck that was every bit of 4" long and it made no difference to the tread where this crack was, and again this one was running the circumference. Seeing as to how I bought this bike used last July, I have no idea how many miles have been logged on this bike. I know that I have logged 1000 miles on this tire with no ill effects, thank God. Obviously, I've got to replace the tire before I trust it to ride again. My question is, what would have caused it in the first place? I've heard nothing but good on Dunlops and nothing but bad on Metzlers, yet my best tire right now is my Metzler on the front. My assumption is that this bike possibly sat on this tire while is was flat for an extended period, but since I have no contact information with the original owner, I have no way of knowing if this is the case. Am I too far off on m assumption?

 

Thanks!

[GeorgeS]

first thing, is check the mfg date code, find out how old is the tire, ( in age, not miles )

 

E-II have been out of production for about 3 years. You might have a 10 year old tire.

 

Also, any sign of an impact, or damage that could have caused it.

 

Also, you do not know if previous owner was running it, underinflated, or maby over inflated, etc etc.

 

How many miles is on this bike ??

[Schlepporello]

first thing, is check the mfg date code, find out how old is the tire, ( in age, not miles )

OK, I found two numers on the tire. One that was branded into the tire is 2201 and there was a white stenciled number right after that which was 3623.

E-II have been out of production for about 3 years. You might have a 10 year old tire.

Figures.

Also, any sign of an impact, or damage that could have caused it.

Nope, the rim looks fine as does the area around the cracks.

Also, you do not know if previous owner was running it, underinflated, or maby over inflated, etc etc.

The local peanut gallery says that the previous owner was obviously running it underinflated. I've been running it at it's max reccomended pressure.

How many miles is on this bike ??

The bike has 720044 miles on it. It had just over 70,000 when I got it.

Also, the current tire size is MU 90 B16 78H.

[skydoc_17]

I think George has named just about every variable that could have affected that tire. I did want to mention that the only Elite II I ever saw separate was from a parts bike I purchased a few years ago that had a flat tire when I went to pick it up. Even though the tire had plenty of tread, it started to separate in the area where it sat flat, I replaced it and never looked back! So should you!

Earl

[Schlepporello]

it started to separate in the area where it sat flat,

Earl

That's what I'm thinking happened. The two areas are just about that far enough apart.

[GeorgeS]

22nd week, of 2001 most likley mfg. date. that makes it 8 years old.

 

Put that on top of your other comments as to the history of the tire.

 

If I had bought the bike, I would have replaced the tire, no questions asked, simply because of the Age of the Tire, and nothing else.

 

After you remove it, Cut it Cross Section with a Hack saw, and see how thick that carcass is, then compare it to an old D 404 if you have one laying around, or any other brand. You will be surprised.

 

Also, compare the Weight of the E-II to any other old ones you have laying around.

[Schlepporello]

Thanks George!

Unfortunately, I don't have ANY old motorcycle tires lying around.

What, pray tell, would I be looking for?

Is the Elite II a thinner tire?

[GeorgeS]

E-II, the caseing is 1/2 inch thick. plus, the tread thickness.

 

A D-404, the caseing is 1/4 inch thick, plus the tread thickness.

[Schlepporello]

Oh!

OK. So that might explain why the tire ain't blowed up on me yet?

[bongobobny]

A lot of members like the Avon Venoms...

[Schlepporello]

A lot of members like the Avon Venoms...

Yes, I know. The problem is that the local dealership that I would like to use doesn't sell them. I'd surely like to give 'em a shot, but as rusty as my repair skills are, I don't trust myself with putting on a tubeless tire, having never put one on before.

[RedRider]

Ask your shop if they will install tires purchased elsewhere. Most will for $25 or $30. If you have an idependent shop in town, they are good about it.

 

www.swmototires.com seems to be the lowest prices around. They have a good selection, good service, and free shipping if you buy two tires.

 

Good luck.

 

RR

[mini-muffin]

They still make E II's. That's what we still buy.

 

Margaret

[rhncue]

They still make E II's. That's what we still buy.

 

Margaret

 

I thought the E-11s that are still being sold were NOS. I know that the E-111s are now being made in both front and back sizes.

 

Dick

[GeorgeS]

I thought the E-11s that are still being sold were NOS. I know that the E-111s are now being made in both front and back sizes.

 

Dick

 

If you buy an E-II, be sure to check the MFG Date !!!

[friesman]

22nd week, of 2001 most likley mfg. date. that makes it 8 years old.

 

Put that on top of your other comments as to the history of the tire.

 

If I had bought the bike, I would have replaced the tire, no questions asked, simply because of the Age of the Tire, and nothing else.

 

After you remove it, Cut it Cross Section with a Hack saw, and see how thick that carcass is, then compare it to an old D 404 if you have one laying around, or any other brand. You will be surprised.

 

Also, compare the Weight of the E-II to any other old ones you have laying around.

 

I have a couple of Elite II's that I havnt installed yet on my G1 and the date stamp on both is 0208 so by my reckoning they should be about a year old.

 

Brian