tire still road worthy?

I just purchased a 1982 KZ750 Twin , it is a one owner bike with 10k original miles and it was set up for a long time. The back tire has some hairline cracks but the rubber still feel somewhat soft and there is not cracks in the tread. The front tire is completely shot, there are cracks in the tread as well as a 1/4 inch wide crack in the sidewall. I have attached some pictures of the rear tire. I do know that it has a flat spot on it , I assume from sitting up. This is my first bike this old so any advice would be great.

Thank you

I would not use that tire.

chuck em.

I know it hurts but GET RID OF IT.
Steve

Hi Ric - Your tire might be fine, but here's the thing: it's not worth the risk to find out. Let's say you get her running good and, while rounding a bend at 50 mph, the rear tire fails and you crash, possibly injuring or killing yourself in the process. Do you have a wife, kids, a dog, an imaginary friend? You see the point. With a car, tire failure doesn't usually lead to tragedy, but this is decidedly not the case on a motorcycle. Keep in mind that a new rear tire (or, better yet, a set of tires) isn't going to set you back that much, especially when compared to a flatbed tow or an emergency room visit (or both). If you want to change your tires yourself, you can peruse the internet and find great deals all over. (Balancing them at a shop may cost you, though, or you could use Dyna beads.) Imported Chinese/Taiwanese tires are cheap and will work just fine for you if funds are tight. And, let's be real, unless you are planning on going racing, you don't need a $900 tire anyway. If changing it yourself is not in your wheelhouse - no pun intended -, go to your local MC dealer's service counter and ask if they have any deals on tires. They routinely buy tires from their supplier on clearance, and those tires become the "seasonal tire special". The added value is that you should get someone who knows what they're doing doing the change, they'll balance them, and they will get rid of your old ones, to boot. Moreover, another fact to consider: Even if your tire were better looking, it's still quite old. Tire technology has improved steadily over time, and you'd be better served with new rubber, especially on a bike with a rear drum brake, as your brakes are only as good as your tires (and with a drum you're already starting with a disadvantage). Similarly, your valve stem, and the little seal around the valve core, are also old. At best, you might develop a slow leak that leaves you stranded. At worst, the state trooper who has you dragged out of the ditch will look at your rear tire and say "Sheesh, he could have avoided this if he'd spent $60 on a new rear tire." -- JKams

That tire is trash. Buy new tires so you don't risk killing yourself with a blowout. Be SURE to replace the old tubes at the same time - this is NOT optional. Ed

Thank you all.for the very sound advice. I found a local shop that will mount and balance for $20 for tubeless and $27 for tubed. I am not really familiar with motorcycle tires but I am looking at Dunlop 404 or shinko 712 or 230. Does anyone have any preferred brand?

I am glad I joined this forum.

Shinko 230.
Steve

I have had several sets of Dunlops, and have not been very pleased with any of them. I have been quite pleased with Avon tires.

Rubber both wears out and ages, you have the answer above. You may find this rubber deterioration elsewhere on the bike depending upon the conditions it was stored. (ie carb manifold rubbers, brake and fuel hoses etc.)

Even if you found a new one still in the crate them expect some recommissioning work on such an old bike irrespective of the mileage if it has been out of use for any length of time. The upside hopefully a rare and unmolested low miler.

If you search here there is some info on electrics and cleaning up your connectors etc, these often need attention too.

ric812 wrote: Thank you all.for the very sound advice. I found a local shop that will mount and balance for $20 for tubeless and $27 for tubed. I am not really familiar with motorcycle tires but I am looking at Dunlop 404 or shinko 712 or 230. Does anyone have any preferred brand?

I am glad I joined this forum.

I've used several different Dunlop tire types and they all were poor performers. The recent Michelin tires, specifically the Macadam tires, are the worse tires I've ever used; more the shame since the earlier model Michelin tires were outstanding. I've been using Pirelli Sport Demons for the past 8 years (I'm on my second set), and I like them very much. Whichever tires you get buy natural rubber inner tubes rather than synthetic. Ed

I'm really happy with the 120/90 by 18 712 Shinko ... and plan on a front this fall both for the cost of one in most cases. Chapperel on Ebay had em just under 50 bucks shipped a short while back but could be over now.