Strange front tire wear

OK ,I'm doing my dual front disc conversion, and I start looking at my two year old front tire. It has worn noticeably on the left side more than the right:blink: With some slight cupping in areas. This would be the same side as the factory single front brake disc. Could that be part of it??? The tire was mounted and balanced by a VERY GOOD bike shop. It's a Spitfire , so it's not cheap junk either. The bead looks even all around the rim.
I don't just take left turns ( I'm not a nascar driver )
I haven't noticed anything real strange while riding it...
So what gives???
Those damn rubber termites are always after the rear tire. But I have never worn out a front tire. Not in 35 years of riding. Well.. maybe once after replacing the back tire four or fives times first.
So what's up???
Or should I start only taking right turns?? :pinch:

One possibilty may be you rear wheel alignment. If it is off to the right you have to steer the front tire to the left and you probably wouldn't even realize it. Just a thought.
Ride safe

Have someone follow you down the road and see if you dog tracking.
Also, check you swing arm bearings for play, that could have the same effect if they are loose.

Post edited by: The Milkman, at: 2007/07/12 09:58

I was leaning towards something along those lines myself. I need to replace the "gooseneck" bearings.
And the swingarm needs looking into too I'm sure. They are the original ones from 1974:whistle: I had planned on doing them both this Winter. But it looks like I may move some of it up a bit..
Thanks for the words of wisdom!!!
Pat

Maybe wheel bearings too?

Also a lot of roads are crowned towards the shoulder which could explain some of it and many front tires will naturally cup from using the front brake. Maybe nothing wrong.

I agree with Ron. The left side wearing more than the right is fairly normal. I worked at a cycle shop for 5 1/2 years and it was common to see that.

Check the bearings anyway as its good maintainence.

Later, Doug

I know the wheel bearings are good, I just checked them when I was swapping rotors around, as did my anal Ski-doo mechanic buddy. And if they wern't perfect he would have told me, and told me and told me.
He's the kinda' guy that says " well do you want to tear it apart AGAIN in three years?? Might as well replace them now"
Thanks to all who have helped me ( again ) IF you can think of anything else.. let me know!



Now if I could only figure out why that right side brake is soooo tight on the disc... and that is without the line even hooked up !! So it has no pressure on it. I don't have the dual splitter yet ( I hope it gets here today !! )
I took it for a short ( one block down and back ) and it felt as if I had the front brake on on that side
:dry: The disc was even HOT !! So I pulled the caliper off , for now. Am I missing something ?? OR just plan stupid???:whistle:

The brake is probably a stuck piston, but if you don't have a line hooked up to it and have it capped off with air in it, the the air will expand and apply the brake some as you ride it.
Ride safe.

They just had this question asked in Cycle World magaine and the tech guy said under inflation was the usual culprit for front wheel cupping and uneven wear. Of course, this guy is a guru and seldom right about other things but inflation may be an issue I guess.

I have the lines on it, but I didn't have the splitter yet. So I don't think the air should be a problem..
I got it ( the caliper and right side mount) from Jeff @ Z1 after a long discussion, so I don't think it should be the caliper. But who knows.. parts are parts and things happen.
Thanks for the info.
Pat

wiredgeorge wrote:

They just had this question asked in Cycle World magaine and the tech guy said under inflation was the usual culprit for front wheel cupping and uneven wear. Of course, this guy is a guru and seldom right about other things but inflation may be an issue I guess.

I didn't even think to check that !!! I check it a couple times a season, but to be honest, I can't remember IF I checked lately:blush: :whistle:
Sometimes the easiest thing is the thing we overlook

Thanks George and Milkman;)
I'll check the tire pressure as that's the original reason I posted. The brake problem.. I'll look into some more, and IF I can't figure it out.. ( best Arnold Swartzenegger voice ) I'LL BE BACK
Pat;)

Some bikes, which are really hard on front tires like Valkyries, wear out the left side of the front tire first. I think it's a combination of riding on the right side of a crowned road way and the simple fact that while riding on the right side of the road a rider travels substantially more distance turning left than turning right. The Valkyrie groups are full threads about this problem. One bit of proof is that in Thailand, where they drive on the left side of the road, Valk owners complain about wiping off the right side of their front tires.

Weather this applies to your KZ is doubtful unless you ride really hard. It's more likely that underinflation is the culprit

KZCSI