[MarkS01]

Hey Guys,

Late last summer I put on a new Bridgestone BattleAx BT-020 (OEM) front tire. Got only about 2,000 miles out of it along with the wear you see below. Not only did it wear right down to the cords but also unevenly left of center (when sitting on the bike). The tire is rotating in the right direction.

I'm thinking disparate fork performance. I did go one notch firmer from 3 to 4 because at the time it seemed like the wheel was bouncing sometimes with a passenger aboard. But that was a little too stiff in the twistys so I dialed it back to 3 but that didn't slow down the wear either. I got about 12,000 miles out of the tire that came on the bike with the forks at 3 and thought the performance was right for me.

Also I'm thinking of switching to the Pirelli Angel GT. Any experience with it here?

Whaddya think?

 

[MarkS01]

I used to have uneven wear on my tires, but it was because I had several 270° right turn off-ramps that I would always push my max speed on. My tire guy was always confused but then I'd tell him about my turns and then he said it made perfect sense. Just something to think about if the other aforementioned conditions don't apply.

Yeah,

If I was back in S FL that would be a real possibility coz the only curves like that are right-hand on-ramps to I-95 and the Turnpike.

But here? I ride in the San Juan and West Elk mountains where there are too many curves of every degree, elevation and direction to count. And you better get them right at any speed coz it's a long way down. 😬

Ordinarily, my tires get a perfectly even rounding on every ride. 😎👍

 

[MarkS01]

Hi there, i would first check forks for any signs of oil leaks. Then check all front forks and front wheel bearings for play and wear. It looks to me like one of the wheel bearings has collapsed going on the wear of the tire. I would say the side of the tyre with the most wear is the side the bearings have collapsed. Hope this helps.. 👍. Frec 🇬🇧

That could also explain what I thought was wheel bounce. Will check it put.

Thanks.

 

[MarkS01]

Hey AZ,

That's a good checkout list. Will do.

Thanks.

 

[MarkS01]

....
Yes, that tire is worn more on one side. Because the REAR WHEEL is out of alignment. That's been my experience... Your mileage may vary.

Thanks for this, I'll definitely check it out. I did loosen the rear wheel to swap out brake pads.

Question: Would the front of the rear tire be pointed more to the left or right of center (sitting on the bike) to cause excessive wear on the left?

 

[MarkS01]

Blade yep what you say it true, although that generally exhibits in the rear tire too, and in the drive belt. Since no mention was made of that, it seemed to me that if it were me I would hunt the front. I'm excited to see how this turns out!!

Back tire is in excellent shape with about 3,000 miles on it.

Belt was a brand new OEM I put on last summer. Probably has about 5,000-6,000 miles and is in perfect condition. Also riding dead center in the pulley with correct tension. I'm pretty meticulous about setting up the rear tire and belt. I'll be surprised if it's the problem but will leave no stone unturned to figure this out.

 

[MarkS01]

UPDATE:

Ok, got the front wheel off preparatory to changing the tire. Here's what I've found after a preliminary check-out:

1. Bearings are solid.
2. Forks mounted evenly, pre-load is the same. (May check fluid levels next)
3. Did have a very minor leak in the right (sitting on the bike) last summer, stopped with a cleaning of the seals.
4. Brake calipers and pads are fine. I did flush the brake system last fall and added Castrol Full-Synth DOT 4 but they gave no indications of trouble.
5. Curiously, nobody mentioned tire balancing but it is.

6. And then there is this....about a full notch difference from pulley (4.8) to exhaust (5.75) sides in rear-wheel alignment measuring from the adjustment bolt rearward. This puts the axle on the pulley side further back and the wheel pointing left of center. By how many degrees at the leading edge of the tire I don't know but it's got to be fairly significant, especially at 120+mph.

Not sure how that happened. I think I may have measured from the bolt on one side, then the aft end on the other or something. One thing is sure, I don't remember double-checking it after a ride or two.

Also, it appears there ought to be a washer under the axle nut and I don't recall ever seeing it either. Perhaps that's part of the problem.

In any event, a new tire is on the way, I'll make the proper adjustment and go from there soon as it's warm enough to let her out of my dining room.

I'm thinking Bladerunr takes it. Man, this is a fairly expensive lesson but could have been a lot worse given the roads and speeds I ride.

 

[MarkS01]

Fantastic!!

I admit I'm surprised since zero rear tire markings but that's a chicken dinner win no matter what!!!

And as chagrined as I am at such a rookie mistake am glad at it's an easy fix. 🤨

 

[MarkS01]

Suggest using a straight edge, string lines or laser off the sides of the rear tire to square it, those adjuster plate reference lines are about as accurate side to side as lobbing hand grenades or horse shoes.
Or ride no hands on the center of a 2 lane so the crown of the road is negated. Bike drifts right = front of the rear tire is pointing left.
Use a punch mark on one flat of the adjuster bolts for reference.

Thanks CK,

I thought the same about drift direction. Figured it would be pushing to the right causing me to fight the steering and/or leaning left constantly.

When I swapped the rear tire out a couple months before the front, I used a wood doweling longer than the tire is wide down as close to the axle so it would rest against the sides front and rear. Worked well. I guess I just got lazy and complacent.