chopped/scallop tire tread

[dgc67]

Anyone know what causes your tire to get chopped?  My front tire is like that.  I have seen it on a car tire that was out of alignment before.  Here are the things I think contributed to this: 
1.  I drove it over 5k miles needing a new seal on the right side and it was leaking pretty bad.  I am thinking this led to uneven suspension travel.
2.  The oil leaked down onto my brake pads on the right side and ruined them.  So I assume it would have caused uneven pressure when I braked.
3.  Reading about how my anti-dive works.  It only stiffens the left side when it is working.

I am thinking all of these factors led to this occurring.  I am hoping at least.  I am concerned because I replaced the right side seal and it is already leaking slightly.  I think.  I have only ridden 100 miles or so since I did it and there is some residue each time.  I am hoping this is just residual from the rebuild and will go away.
Otherwise I am a little concerned the right side might be bent slightly.  I attached some pics of the tire.  They are not the best, took them with my cell phone.

[hootmon]

DG;
  I find that most bike front tires cup over time. I have seen it on my '94 Magna, my friends '96 nighthawk, and others... Some sooner, some later in tire life..
  The factors you mention certainly may have contributed in it happening a little sooner in the tire life...

One of the things you can do is take something like a pair of Panty Hose (I won't ask where you got them) and run them up and down the fork that leaks.. If there is a slight burr that might be tearing at your seal, the panty hose will probably snag on it.. I had a '76 Honda and the right fork leaked almost from the time it was new, and even after I replaced the seal, it continued to leak. I was never able to tell why... Later on I slid the bike under a 4X4 Toyota Pick up and my front tire hit the rear tire of the truck (That's it, just the tire). The triple tree/forks were never quite the same after that and the fork leak became a small problem to me after that...

[Charles S Otwell]

A better question might be is there anyone out there that doesn't have this kind of front tire wear . pretty much all of mine and most everyone I know has the same wear problem. Different tires have slightly different patterns of wear. The front Dunlop on a friends 1600 Roadstar had exactly the same wear as the Dunlop on my wife's 600 Shadow, the Shinko on my Magna is a little different, but still there. If anyone has a cure I'm listening too..

[dgc67]

Well, it makes me feel better to know it is common.  I have put more miles on this bike than any other I have owned, so I have never seen this occur before.

[Jester]

My front tire (stock dunlop) doesn't have that kind of wear.   Don't know how old the tires are, they are the ones that were on the bike when I got it back in May,   I've put about 5000 miles on them since I got it and they are about 1/32 inch to the wear tab.   

[lragan]

I ran a stock Dunlop down to the wear marks disappearing.  It wore quite evenly. 

I would think that one would notice an ugly vibration from such a wear pattern.  It certainly happens when car tires wear this way.

We need a tire expert to explain what causes this, and how to stop it.  Where is Curtis, anyhow??

[TLRam1]

Your fork seals will not cause you to loose your suspension unless you loose your fork oil otherwise the dampening will be there. Now if you are low on fork fluid and you tax your front end than suspension dampening will be lost.

Did you replace the fork seal or someone else? When the fork seal was replaced the seal may have been damaged from the installer or a inferior seal, what it a Honda branded or aftermarket seal? 

Most front tires will feather or cup around the sides, I would have to think to remember and explain the why ( something about the leading edge and trailing) but yours appear to be down the "center of the tire" like an "out of balance" tire or "bent rim out of round rim" could cause and as someone mention you would probably have vibrations due to this. 

I would replace the seal again, brakes, and check the rim w/o a tire on for a true rim than have a new tire put on and balanced correctly.

[dgc67]

The right side did lose substantial oil, it was leaking badly for some time.

I replaced the seal myself and don't think I could have damaged it.  They are not Honda brand, at least the pink plastic bag they came in does not say Honda on it.  I have another and am going to try again.

I replaced the brakes too.

I agree that is would seem the handling should be off.  But the bike rides smooth, no vibration or anything.

I have ordered a new set of tires and also have another set of rims I plan to install them on as mine are corroded looking.  The chrome is bubbling up and coming off on them.  I bought a set of 1983 rims for $9.99 +$25 shipping for each off ebay.  Not a bad deal and I like the style much better.

[Curtis_Valk]

I ran a stock Dunlop down to the wear marks disappearing.  It wore quite evenly. 

I would think that one would notice an ugly vibration from such a wear pattern.  It certainly happens when car tires wear this way.

We need a tire expert to explain what causes this, and how to stop it.  Where is Curtis, anyhow??

As noted by previous posts, scalloping or feathering (not cupping) is a common trait of motorcycle tires.  This is one reason Motorcycle tires have large tread blocks to minimize it.  Underinflation (even briefly) and aggressive riding can accelerate the effect.  Heavy bikes like Valkyries almost always scallop the tread.  Magnas, being medium weight with good power can also.

Little to no vibration is noticed when tires scallop, but the tire can and usually will become noisy. 

Here is an excellent article on the subject: http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/tirewear/

Curtis

[hootmon]

Check out Curtis' MAD tire referrence skills..
Great article!!

[TLRam1]

Make sure your stanchion tube is free of nicks, burrs or anything which would ruin your seal. If any is apparent take Fine emery cloth and sand out, be careful not to make it worst or a flat spot. The aftermarket seal could be the culprit. Seals are not that much, I would use Honda line to be sure. Many parts are coming from China and not the same quality or tolerances as Japan made. 

[dgc67]

Despite my pride, which I am swallowing WAY more than I would like to these days, I think I know the culprit of my tire issue.
Low on air.  WAY low on air actually.  Barely over 10 pounds.

Just thought I'd give you guys an update in case it ever is seen again.  Thanks in advance for not ribbing me too hard.  LOL

[Charles S Otwell]

Don't worry about getting ribbed too much, it's that "casting the first stone thing" that will keep most of us quite. 

[hootmon]

Rather than Ribbing anyone, I chose to open a new Subject to remind people of this very important maintenance check (Tire Pressure).
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/forums/index.php?topic=2589.new#new

[marty9]

You might use nitrogen you will retain pressure a lot better. You also want get as much pressure gain when tires get hot, or as much pressure loss on cold days. I have a nitrogen machine and would install free of charge to any moot member that wanted to ride up to my shop in dequeen ar.