Tire question

[Greg Cothern]

I agree with you John for the most part.

I had a rear that got a very small finishing type nail in the very center of the tread pattern.  Had a patch plug combo put in it and believe it went another 8K. 

However I personally just to make myself feel warm and fuzzy  would replace a front and consider about $100 a good investment towards the fuzzies hehehehe.

[lragan]

I don't suppose the size of the nail (within limits, of course, we're not talking railroad spikes here) doesn't matter much.  This nail was near the edge of the tire, still in the tread, but just barely.  Only occasionally do I use this part of the tread, while grinding off the left boot heel  , but when I do, I don't want any slip-ups, er outs.

The Bridgestone cost me $105, but by the time they figured in installation, balancing, tax, title, license, dead tire fee, weekday fee, lawyerly insurance, etc, etc, it came to $175.43

Like I said, the most expensive nail I have ever encountered.

[TLRam1]

Now if it saves you from a mishap....than the cheapest non mishap you might have. 

[lragan]

Thanks, Terry.  You are quite right (again), and that's the way I look at it.

[lragan]

This morning was nice, and I rode enough to try out the new rear tire.  Took it through a few heel-dragging, accelerating turns.

Best I can tell, this tire is as sticky as the Dunlop.  Some of you racing folks may have better input, but I can't feel a difference -- once it was worn in.  There was some slipping early, but after a couple of turns, it seemed to hold just fine.

To refresh everyone's memory, this is a Bridgestone  G702 160/80 TR412.  I like it.

In any case it was a great day even if a short (2 hour) ride.

[TLRam1]

That's a promising first impression. Thanks for the update.

[TLRam1]

Below is Dunlops response.

Dunlop Tire Contact Form Submission
To: tlram1XXXXX.com
From: awittmeyer@dunloptire.com  Add to Address Book  Add Mobile Alert 
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:06:43 -0500
   

Terry -

Thanks for supplying the necessary additional information.  The Dunlop
K555 has not been discontinued in either size and are readily available as
there are no back-orders in our system for either tire (front or rear).


Looks as if the dealer recieved and past on bad info.

[lragan]

Below is Dunlops response.

Dunlop Tire Contact Form Submission
To: tlram1XXXXX.com
From: awittmeyer@dunloptire.com  Add to Address Book  Add Mobile Alert 
Date: Fri, 4 Jan 2008 10:06:43 -0500
   

Terry -

Thanks for supplying the necessary additional information.  The Dunlop
K555 has not been discontinued in either size and are readily available as
there are no back-orders in our system for either tire (front or rear).


Looks as if the dealer recieved and past on bad info.

I was suspicious of this at the outset.  Probably should have checked around some.  Even though I am (so far) satisfied with the price and performance of the Bridgestone, it still bugs me to be misinformed.  May I have your permission to send a copy of the response in an e-mail to the dealer?

[TLRam1]

You bet, have at it, sick em!

Probably will not happen but the dealer needs to forward the info to their supplier as well. Other than curiosty it would be nice to find out who the dealers supplier is. I would guess someone like Rocky Tucker, Parts Unlimited, etc.

Although we, the customer, always has to fin for ourselves the dealer needs to have done more work on their part. May have been a brain pop on their part but your email or visit will help keep them sharp.

Hopefully the dealer was not trying to move a in-stock tire verses ordering you one.

[lragan]

I sent the dealer a FAX yesterday.  It wasn't worded to demand a reply, just to notify their supplier that they were misinformed.  (This makes the charitable assumption that they were, and not just trying to move some current inventory.)  They have not replied, but I will post when/if they do.

In any case, it is nice to know the old reliable is still available.  Thanks, Terry

[Magnum Magna]

I have noticed on the Internet the K555 is hard to find.  I wonder if it goes by different abbreviation or name.

New tires before pushing the performance you need to ride it for a while to wear past the new protective layer.  I believe 400 miles is the recommended distance.  One person recommended due a burnout.  Which I do not recommend because that will do the center of the tire not the sides. and the sides is what we would be concerned about.

[lragan]

I have noticed on the Internet the K555 is hard to find.  I wonder if it goes by different abbreviation or name.

New tires before pushing the performance you need to ride it for a while to wear past the new protective layer.  I believe 400 miles is the recommended distance.  One person recommended due a burnout.  Which I do not recommend because that will do the center of the tire not the sides. and the sides is what we would be concerned about.

You are right about new tires being slick.     I would guess the number of miles is not so important as the number of revolutions in steep turns.  Is there any other way to remove the smooth, shiny black layer from the edges than to turn?  (I suppose maybe sandpaper, but where's the fun in that?)

It is also true that one can have good traction for modest turns, and still slide when you lay it over steeper.  When I look at the rear tire now, it has "rough" rubber almost to the "hard edge" of the tread, lacking about 3/8".

You can feel the slippage.  I run them in on low speed, tighter turns where I have plenty of margin to straighten up when they slide.  I suppose one could do this in a large, empty parking lot, although I haven't tried it. 

This is the second new rear tire I have dealt with.  Have yet to put on a new front tire, which may be a bit tougher.

[Curtis_Valk]

Over on the other forum several of the other guys swear by naptha.  They allude to the mold release that is still on the rubber from the manufacturing process making the tire slick.  They say if you wipe the tire down with naptha on a rag, it removes this coating without harming the tire and evaporates quickly.  Naptha is available at any paint or hardware store or "big box" home improvement warehouse.

I don't know the efficacy of this procedure as I have not experienced any new tires that were slick and have never used naptha on a new tire.  I'm just passing on what I read elsewhere.

You are correct that a burn out or mild turns still leaves parts of the tire unscrubbed.

Curtis

[Slydynbye]

I've actually used a sanding block and 200 grit paper to take the majority of mold release off the very edges, I just want to know that when I need the very edge it's ready. Somebody also mentioned Scotchbrite which sounds even better.
As for using Naptha I'm a little concerned what harsh chemicals can do to the rubber.

[crash]

just an fyi

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/list.cfm?mc=ESS-CC-005&model_ID=0&category_ID=24&manufacturer_ID=372&sblid=Dunlop


as you all know i work at a independant bike shop that by the way was voted texas 5th best ind bike shop (just had to through that in anyways i ordered the 555 for both front and rear for my bike yesterday.