k 81 tires

Gents,
Wondering why they have tire rotation designated for front and rear application, just got em back from the shop and the rear tire isn't mounted as recommended by the manufacturer ...
What is the risk of leaving it as it is ? Both tires are identical K81 Dunlops
Thanks
Gary

Can we assume that you paid to have these tires mounted?
If so, we can also assume that you paid to have it done correctly. If it didn't matter, the maker wd not bother to specify the direction in the first place.

That's bad – only this year I got a pair of new K81s plus tubes sourced and fitted by a shop that these days usually does only moderns and scooters, even still they managed to do a perfect job – a PITA for you but they need to fix this on their own clock and pdq too!

p.s. It wasn't the shop's fault that within a week I'd picked up a long panel pin in the rear tyre ... :roll:

thank you all for the quick responses , I will take it back tomorrow, the link provided by L.A.B helped me see the reasoning for the arrows.

End of the day do it yourself. It really is easy, couple of small irons, plenty of lube (as I think Sir Elton said) and make sure the beads are in the deep part oft the rim opposite the last bit you trying to lever over, if that makes sense. Plenty of stuff on utube.

Garry157 said:

Gents,
Wondering why they have tire rotation designated for front and rear application, just got em back from the shop and the rear tire isn't mounted as recommended by the manufacturer ...
What is the risk of leaving it as it is ? Both tires are identical K81 Dunlops
Thanks
Gary

Click to expand...

It's to do with the stresses the tyre is under. A front is only ever free wheeling or braking. A rear gets its main stress from being driven, so the stresses are opposite.

In theory, your wrongly fitted rear tyre could try and 'unwrap' itself, or 'de-laminate.

I worked in a tyre factory and can assure you that tyre construction is much more complex than most of us realise.

I'm not familiar with the K81 but there could also be tread pattern reasons.

In reality it will probably be fine. But it is wrong. If you were to have an accident, you could find your insurance is invalid. You may also be liable for a fine by the plod as I assume a wrongly fitted tyre could be illegal, but I'm not sure.

Short version: get it corrected!

As I understand it, tires are made in layers. The last layer being the tread, which is added as a single strip with a "lap" joint where the two ends meet, similar to the roofing tiles (shingles) on your roof. As previously stated, the stress on the front tire is during braking, while the stress on the rear tire is on acceleration. Front and rear tires must be mounted opposite from each other to avoid peeling back the leading edge of the "lap" joint.

well happy to report the shop was great in making it right , really appreciate the insight from the posts......iam sure I will have more questions as I assemble the beast, Gary