Tire wear question

[MagnaDaddy]

Tire guru's, what would cause a tire to wear like this?

Worn side


OK side



It's kinda out of round but I've never noticed any kind of virbation since these were installed.

Also the front looks fine no odd wear pattern on it at all.

[tmds3]

Just a guess, but have you ever locked the rear tire up in a panic stop?

[lragan]

What surprises me just a bit is that you don't feel vibration from it. 

I would think vibration would accrue from two factors -- the tire is elliptically shaped instead of round, and it would weigh more on the less worn side.

How is the tire balanced?  Dyna-beads, maybe?  That would remove one of the factors...

I would also expect there to be a particular speed at which the vibration maximizes.  This speed will depend on the setting (stiffness, or spring constant) of the rear suspension springs.  It may occur at a speed that is outside your normal riding range.  The system may be well enough damped that you never feel it. 

I will also boldly predict that if you leave it alone, it will get worse as the tire continues to wear unevenly.

[roboto65]

Just a theory I have always had but look at your front tire would you see when the DOT builds the roads and it could be more depending on where you live they make the roads so rain runs off so you have a very slight slope  from the center to the side of the road so as you see your tire is worn on the right side because that side is higher....

Now also looking at that tire you may not have had it running in the center it may have been cocked to the right also so it would cause any vibration but it would affect tracking depending on how much it was off..   
Mine also is worn more on one side than the other like yours do not know why it does that... I was look at your and saw how it was worn more on the right than the left LOL

[MagnaDaddy]

Balanced with standard weights by the Dealership which mounted the tires for me.  Does that bead stuff really work?

I'm going to get them replaced soon anyway because the inspection is up in July.

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

I place my vote with David. A serious back tire lock is what comes to mind first.

[Greg Cothern]

Weak shocks can also cause this.

[MagnaDaddy]

You mean they might be tired if they have 61,000 miles on them 
My guess is they are the original, I have no way of knowing.

Any suggestions for replacement shocks for 1st Gens?

[rjb/AKA Bob Barram]

I remember in some past posting that there was a nice chrome replacement that fit froma vtx or something. I would look into that to dress up the bike a bit and customize it.

[dgc67]

I have progressive springs on back.  Not cheap though.

[Brad Badgett]

When I had the '82 I replaced the shocks with Progressive with 'black' HD springs (went with the black bike).  Made a huge difference in the ride and tire wear. Cost ~ $250.  Will replace on the '96 when funds allow.

Brad Badgett
MOOT #164
OK Region