mount this tire?

Britbike850 · Apr 7, 2024

I bought this tire in August…date code 1923…noticed cracking/checking in the sidewall.
Would ya mount this tire? Replacing tires that are 10 years old…have plenty of tread but are 10 years old. They have the same cracking/checking…Avon 100/90-19 Roadrider MKII…
Is this normal
Thanks,
Rod

Grandad · Apr 7, 2024

I'd not fit them to a motorcycle it is all too easy to fall off at the best of times.

If 1923 signifies the date ie 19th week of 2023 then the manufacturers should be notified and you should get a refund and or a replacement

ashman · Apr 7, 2024

I would use them but hey that's me, a bit of black boot polish will fix them cracks (Worlds fastest Indian).

concours · Apr 7, 2024

Britbike850 said:
I bought this tire in August…date code 1923…noticed cracking/checking in the sidewall.
Would ya mount this tire? Replacing tires that are 10 years old…have plenty of tread but are 10 years old. They have the same cracking/checking…Avon 100/90-19 Roadrider MKII…
Is this normal
Thanks,
Rod

Gee whiz, that is hard to grasp, less than a year old.

Ask the seller to replace it. If they refuse, I'd run it.

JMWO

Thomasa · Apr 7, 2024

When did they start putting date codes on. I have some with no date codes that are NOS and no cracks and I can push my thumb nail into the tread. Maybe only for show bikes?

concours · Apr 7, 2024

Thomasa said:
When did they start putting date codes on. I have some with no date codes that are NOS and no cracks and I can push my thumb nail into the tread. Maybe only for show bikes?

Four digit standardized date code for the last twenty four years.
Before that, 1971 on up to 2000 is a 3 digit code.

Britbike850 · Apr 7, 2024

concours said:
Gee whiz, that is hard to grasp, less than a year old.

Ask the seller to replace it. If they refuse, I'd run it.

JMWO

Thomasa said:
When did they start putting date codes on. I have some with no date codes that are NOS and no cracks and I can push my thumb nail into the tread. Maybe only for show bikes?

The 10 years old Avons have the exact same checking…all around and both sides…never really noticed it but it’s has been 10 years since I have changed them due to medical issues…not sure if this is normal…
I’ll call Avon tomorrow

concours · Apr 7, 2024

Britbike850 said:
The 10 years old Avons have the exact same checking…all around and both sides…never really noticed it but it’s has been 10 years since I have changed them due to medical issues…not sure if this is normal…
I’ll call Avon tomorrow

In either event, we're bringing the burnout board to Shady....

Britbike850 · Apr 7, 2024

concours said:
In either event, we're bringing the burnout board to Shady....

Trying to get ready for the 3 state ride…can’t wait

Madnorton · Apr 8, 2024

Send photos to Bridgestone / Avon (if they still exist) they should arrange collection and for replacements.

baz · Apr 8, 2024

It looks like a 10 year old tyre !

Britbike850 · Apr 8, 2024

Madnorton said:
Send photos to Bridgestone / Avon (if they still exist) they should arrange collection and for replacements.

No phone number on their website…sent them a message with a 48hr response promise…We’ll see..

TBW · Apr 8, 2024

Britbike850 said:
No phone number on their website…sent them a message with a 48hr response promise…We’ll see..

Why risk it…as Grandad says it’s all too easy to fall off,let alone from a tyre failure…but that’s just me.

Elfix · Apr 8, 2024

I just swapped out the tires on the 62 T120 I’m working on. The front was an Avon Speedmaster and from all appearances had never be ridden on. But it’s date code-

Which means it was made in either 1971, 1981, or 1991. For a bike that’s going to be ridden that seemed prudent to replace, despite its looking just fine and the rubber still having at least some give to the thumbnail test.

The replacement looks exactly alike, but is considerably softer.

Britbike850 · Apr 8, 2024

Avon dealer said don’t mount it…sending me a replacement…dealer said they would check out the replacement before shipping but would take a couple of days longer in shipping…I’m good with that so far..
We’ll see,
Rod

acotrel · Apr 8, 2024

Many years ago I put air in my tyres at a service station. I think their tyre gauge must have been faulty. I rode the bike about a mile to my mate's home and parked it. As I walked away, the front tyre exploded.
If you watch 'World's fastest Indian' , Burt Munro put boot polish on his tyres to hide the cracks, before breaking a speed record. Might be bullshit. The tyres on my bike are about 15 years old - I would still use them - but not if they are cracked.

robs ss · Apr 8, 2024

Britbike850 said:
I bought this tire in August…date code 1923…noticed cracking/checking in the sidewall.
Would ya mount this tire? Replacing tires that are 10 years old…have plenty of tread but are 10 years old. They have the same cracking/checking…Avon 100/90-19 Roadrider MKII…
Is this normal
Thanks,
Rod

Just got a rear (4.00 x 18 RR) out of the black bag ready for fitment - it was made in April 22 but shows none of the cracking like yours.
Cheers

SteveA · Apr 9, 2024

Madnorton said:
Send photos to Bridgestone / Avon (if they still exist) they should arrange collection and for replacements.

Send to a rival manufacturer? OK.

Just one point on Avon sidewall cracking, there was a period that it was quite common in their race compound tyres, then I think it went away!

Avon still 'exist', but UK factory closed. Supposedly setting up in Germany.

Nova is a company set up by ex Avon employees to make some Avon tyres, but I think they have limited themselves to classic car offerings, possibly competition only.

Britbike850 · Apr 20, 2024

Britbike850 said:
Avon dealer said don’t mount it…sending me a replacement…dealer said they would check out the replacement before shipping but would take a couple of days longer in shipping…I’m good with that so far..
We’ll see,
Rod

Update:
Avon dealer sent new tire…looks good…returned original tire…mounted good to go!
Thanks for all the advice,
Rod

Matchless · Apr 21, 2024

SteveA said:
Send to a rival manufacturer? OK.

Just one point on Avon sidewall cracking, there was a period that it was quite common in their race compound tyres, then I think it went away!

Avon still 'exist', but UK factory closed. Supposedly setting up in Germany.

Nova is a company set up by ex Avon employees to make some Avon tyres, but I think they have limited themselves to classic car offerings, possibly competition only.

I wonder if the Union Jack logo will be replaced by the German flag? It makes me think that in another twenty or so years there will be sod all manufacturing left in Britain.

mount this tire?

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