Topic: road trip on original tires

[plug1]

I want to ride my cb400f to the shore this weekend (150 miles or so). The bike runs good and I'm confident in it's reliability, but the tires are original (1975) and I haven't ridden it more than about 30 miles at a time.  I just bought the bike in may with 3200 miles on it. Needless to say the bike sat for a while. The last inspection was 1980. The tires look good, no dry rot. Are there any hidden dangers in 35 year old tires that I should be concerned about?

[IndyFour]

I wouldn't trust tire that are that old.  They may not look bad and chances are they won't go blowing apart at speed (maybe....), but they certainly won't have very good grip and there would be a high probability that you could take a spill if you had to make a quick maneuver.  Rubber that old gets very hard and therefore has little grip on the road....hit some gravel and down you go.   

If you can swing it, it's time to replace them before you go riding too far.

[plug1]

Yeah. the rubber does seem to have hardened a bit and the tread is definitely outdated. People always notice the tires and can't believe how good of shape they're in, but their reliability is always on the back of my mind when I'm on the highway. Guess I'll have to ride the sporty. DOH!

[bollingball]

I would not do it. Don't go over 45 mph don't know your driving skills but if you lose that front tire at 60 your hartrate will be max out if you can't get both get the front one. I cut my front on something in the road in 1967 it went down slow but I still can't get it out of my mind Strange I don't remember anything else from the sixties just a fog

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

When you get your new tires be sure to keep those original tires. They could be a valuable addition to a low mileage show bike.

[Gordon]

Yes, hang them on your shop wall and keep them around if you ever want to enter your bike as a stock showpiece, but do not ride on them.

Are you familiar with tire delamination?  It's when the tread separates from the rest of the tire.  It happened to me once when running an old tire on my VW bus.  I was able to ride it out and maintain control, but I couldn't imagine how that would play out on a motorcycle. 

That may or may not happen, but at the very least the rubber on a tire that old has only a fraction of its original gripping abilities, and since the main purpose of a tire is to grip, it doesn't make much sense to use one that can't do it very well anymore. 

[Gaither]

Plug1

All gave you good advice. [What are friends for?]

You and your hide are worth far more than the cost of some quality, new tires. The orginals will bust your fanny one way or the other - risk is far too high. And if it rains - forget it.

[crazypj]

That may or may not happen, but at the very least the rubber on a tire that old has only a fraction of its original gripping abilities, and since the main purpose of a tire is to grip, it doesn't make much sense to use one that can't do it very well anymore. 

 The original Bridgestone's couldn't grip very well in 1975, don't think 35 yrs will improve anything. 
 Get something new on there

[Gordon]

 The original Bridgestone's couldn't grip very well in 1975, don't think 35 yrs will improve anything. 

Ain't that the truth!  I'll be turning 35 this month, and I can guarantee you I'm nowhere near as pliable as I was back in '75!!

[MCRider]

Yes, hang them on your shop wall and keep them around if you ever want to enter your bike as a stock showpiece, but do not ride on them.

Are you familiar with tire delamination?  It's when the tread separates from the rest of the tire.  It happened to me once when running an old tire on my VW bus.  I was able to ride it out and maintain control, but I couldn't imagine how that would play out on a motorcycle. 

That may or may not happen, but at the very least the rubber on a tire that old has only a fraction of its original gripping abilities, and since the main purpose of a tire is to grip, it doesn't make much sense to use one that can't do it very well anymore. 

To expand on what Gordon has said, tires over age 6 yrs old have outgassed a lot of their important chemicals, some of which is the goo that holds the plies together. You cannot see this but it has happened. 10yrs is considered the absolute max on a tire. Age not wear is the issue.  Google "tire safety age" and the like to read up.
http://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/issues-of-tire-safety-tire-aging-and-tread-separation

Some think this position is just a way for tire companies to sell more tires. I simply say read up on it for yourself and decide.

[dave500]

tyre technology has also come a long way in these years,invest in new tyres and have better steering and safety,ebay them if you must,your bike will handle much better and give you more confidance in it.like oil its a personal thing,im using bridgstones,battlax front and spitfire on the rear in the standard sizes,dont forget new tubes and rust bands. i dont do many miles in my car,i get new tyres about every 4-5 years and sell the used ones with plenty of tread,i tell the buyer the age.

[Frostyboy]

The thread I have pasted below convinced me to reject an 8 yr old tyre. I agree with others here who have suggested saving them as mementos rather than riding on them.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=67613.msg746487#msg746487

Enjoy your ride to the coast.

[plug1]

Awesome. Thanks for all of the replies. I'll be leaving this morning minus the Honda but I'll definitely be getting some new tires when I get home. I knew it wasn't the safest thing to be riding on those old shoes, but it seems I  may have underestimated the dangers a bit. Looks can be deceiving, eh.

[no718.com]

plug1,

i see you made the wise choice. In situations like this I always think of that line Robert DeNiro said in the movie 'Ronin' "When in doubt, there is no doubt."

Always keeps me from second guessing.

[Grnrngr]

plug1,

i see you made the wise choice. In situations like this I always think of that line Robert DeNiro said in the movie 'Ronin' "When in doubt, there is no doubt."

Always keeps me from second guessing.

That quote has kept me out of a lot of trouble as well....

[dave500]

when in trouble or in doubt ,get a bigger hammer out.