Bridgestone Mag Mopus, L303, S176, RWL

[Guest]

This is probably a really dumb question, but is there any market for a set of these with worn out tread? Decorative, etc.? I still have the original tires from my '83 GS850 that I sold over 4 years ago. They've been in the attic, and I don't even think they are dry rotted (PO kept the bike in the garage under cover, and they were still good 20 or so years later. I rode the tread off of them before changing them out). Just throwing this out before I pitch 'em... PS, I'm not active on here anymore, and may not get e-mail updates if there is any reply. I'll check back periodically.

[Steve]

.., and they were still good 20 or so years later. ...

The only "good" they could possibly have is if they were BRAND NEW and still had the injection nubs on them, and then, only if the bike were on display in a museum.

Tires degrade over time, regardless of mileage. Some riders will not use anything over 4 years old, most of the rest will not use anything over about 7 years. At 20, and used, yours should be headed to the recylcing facility.

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[JMHJ]

Ok, that's what I wanted to know. You never know what might be good stuff still for some obscure reason, you know like a period correct display or some such, and I doubt there are many of these out there for the reasons you give above. I swear though, I don't see a crack on these, on the sides or in the tread grooves (such as there are, lol). Assuming they went on the bike in '83, They are over 35 years old. I used them from late '05 until I dared not anymore on account of the tread remaining. I think some of that may have to do with the quality of construction materials in different eras/from different countries. Chinese drywall, dogfood, etc., etc. Thanks. - Mike

[Gorminrider]

but is there any market for a set of these with worn out tread?

yes-recyclable so be glad you can get rid of them without a dump fee. They make all sorts of things from old tires these days...
oh, and fenders for docks and boats but they need to be covered. They leave marks. Also, towline snubbers...absorbs the jerk if you are towing something. and swings..but again, they leave marks..sheesh.I forgot drogue-people have been known to use them as drogues in strong winds. They would need a weight to stop them skipping. tons of uses. Maybe in the garage where a car bumper tends to hit the wall or piled up stuff.

[JMHJ]

You forgot paperweight, lol. Wrong shape for an anchor... So nobody but a hoarder would want them. I think I'll save them ... and see how long it takes for them to "deteriorate".

I recently changed out a set of tires on a classic P/U that were over... 20 years old. They had good tread, but did show signs of deterioration and I was wary about driving on them.

To digress further: I found a couple of WWII German helmets in a great uncle's shop one time (early 80s). They were stacked upside down, one inside the other. The leather suspension in the top one was garbage, but the one underneath was a whole different story...