Tire question

[jay66]

Can tires develop permanent flat spots on a bike that has been parked in one place for many years? Say 10 years.

[Pearson]

Prolly I suppose but more likely the problem will be they're dry and cracked.

[marvinsc]

Prolly I suppose but more likely the problem will be they're dry and cracked.

Yep, Dry Rot is the Big issue.

[jay66]

The front end starts hopping around 90 mph and then shaking. I changed the oil in the forks and increased the air pressure and that helped but it is still there.

[marvinsc]

You Ride 90 on 10 Year Old Tires? Tell Me it ain't so.:-|

[jay66]

Many times. Had her up alot faster than that. Just can't help myself. It smoothes out after 100 or so. New tires are on the fix before spring list. BTW They are not dryrotted or cracked though.

[Billy Ricks]

Tires that have sat in one position too long will take a set shape, especially if it's old rubber.

[BassCliff]

Mr. jay66,

Good grief! Buy some tires man! Your life is certainly worth a set of Cheng Shin HiMax! Really! And get them balanced! We want to see you posting here for a long, long time. :-D

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[themess]

Flat spotting used to be a common problem when body ply tire cord was typically nylon. Now that polyester is almost exclusively used, spotting is almost never encountered on newer tires.

Almost certainly, the rubber in your tires has becomed severely hardened due to attack from oxygen and ozone. Stop riding on those tires NOW! You are risking your life. They are probably more like 20 years old than ten years old. Replace them with new tires.