Trust your tires?

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by VFR4Lee, Nov 12, 2017.

  1. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    The balance weights, that must be it. :lightbulb:

    So logically, if I take them off and weigh them,
    and they weigh the same as a duck,
    then they're made of wood, and therefore, a witch! LOL.

    Err, the culprit. There are 3 weights, what are they usually, 1/4 ounce?
    Tire and wheel goes to the shop tomorrow.
     
  2. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    I didn't say the weights blew your tire. Obviously the build up of the tire during manufacture was eccentric. So what I meant is when I balance a tire if it uses a lot of weight, I am already concerned. YMMV

    Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
     
  3. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    I was joking, see Monty Python.
    The 3 balance weights on the wheel are typical in my experience.
    Will spare you the pic.
     
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  4. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Yes that amount sounds typical. Thanks again for the post.

    Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
     
  5. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I did go out for a short ride today and when I got home, checked my rear over really close. No signs of any failure. There is a couple thousand miles on that one so will still keep and eye on it.
     
  6. slovcan

    slovcan New Member

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    I really think it should go to Michelin directly. Contact them and see if they will send you a FedEx label for it. Let the shop take it off the wheel, but hold on to the tire until you see if Michelin takes the safety issue seriously enough to want to examine the tire.

    This is a BIG issue.

    Cheers,
    Glenn
     
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  7. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    +1

    The real question is probably whether that tire is genuine or a counterfeit? Something which Michelin should damn well want to know for sure - as lives are potentially at risk here especially if there is a rogue batch out there.

    It is worth stressing that it is not just Michelin who have had big issues with very credible looking Chinese fakes masquerading as genuine car tires. Given the potential greater mark-up on motorbike tyres I guess there may also be motorbike tire fakes out there, probably entering the market via on-line sites carefully undercutting prices of similar tires supplied via the official Michelin distribution chain.

    Unfortunately these days people seem too price sensitive and they may fail to appreciate that knowing a tire was definitely sourced through an official supplier is probably worth the extra few cents. That is why I think the correct course of action here is to take this up direct with Michelin and NHTSA.

    They will both want to confirm the tire is genuine and find out why it failed. Likewise if it is a counterfeit they will ask serious questions of whoever supplied that tire.

    Hence taking the tire back to the original fitter is not what I would do, especially as I suspect Michelin may maker far greater efforts to ensure you are properly compensated for the inconvenience! If they need the tire removed I suspect almost any other tire fitter on the planet can do the job just as well - BUT they will have no vested interest in the result.

    Hey ho - Please let us know what happens
     
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  8. bigbadbass

    bigbadbass New Member

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    Michelin North America (corporate headquarters)
    • 500 Stevens Rd
      Greer, SC 29650
    • Phone number(864) 848-7500
    I'd call, get instruction and guidance directly from them. Record names, dates, and times of contacts.
     
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  9. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Wow one thing that never crossed my mind buying tires
    Counterfeit


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  10. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    100_2903.JPG
    Took it to the Michelin dealer that installed it as suggested by Michelin. He pointed out a small puncture mark in the middle of the tread and said he was confident it got a puncture, ran low on air and overheated. Says Michelin is very tight on their warranty and would not do anything. Sold me a new tire with no tax and free install.
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Are you confident that is a puncture mark? I would think that if you ran it soft enough that it heated up enough to cause that kind of failure, you would have noticed a very sloppy handling.
     
  12. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    Looked like a small puncture hole. Nothing was inside the tire. Nothing was stuck in the hole, no nail or screw like you usually find.
    I dunno, it went to hell in a hurry. :eek:
     
  13. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    It is possible that you ran over a nail that did not remain. I have seen this. But like I said, riding on a rear tire that is low enough in air that would cause the tire to heat up enough to create this, you should have felt the sloppiness of the traction.

    I dunno. I will remain with Michelins. I have been quite happy with them and I think I have had about 7 sets or so. But I will keep an eye on my rea and watch for signs of tread separation.

    Did they give you a new tire absolutely free?
     
  14. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    No! $230 otd installed on wheel, off bike obviously.

    In future if I feel the slightest weird feeling in the handling, I am pulling the Eff over right away to check it out.
    That is the moral of the story to me. :homer:
     
  15. slovcan

    slovcan New Member

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    Did you keep the old tire????????????? Randy is right! If that tire was low enough on air to get destructively hot, you WOULD have felt it. If you ran over a nail or something that would make a small hole it would have stayed in the tire until the self-destruction. That would have meant an even slower leak. No way.I don't buy it. Period.
     
  16. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I have only had a problem with Michelin's once.

    rear tire.JPG
     
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  17. slovcan

    slovcan New Member

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    :D Hahahahaha, self induced doesn't count! I had a Pirelli Angel GT that did that. The last 0.5 mm of rubber disappears REALLY fast!
     

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  18. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Was this purchase from CT Tires on Reseda?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  19. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Riding in a straight line at high speed you may not notice a very low tire, it might have been just what the guy said. I'd make sure that Michelin got the tire for inspection.
     
  20. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I'd have to ask the questions, as to when the last time the bike was ridden and when was the last time the air pressure was checked. As stated by Gator, you may not notice a low tire pressure, particularly when riding in a straight line. I had ridden on my 6 gen to and from a project a few days in a row (mostly freeway and streets) and I had not checked the tire pressure prior to riding any of those days. On the last day, while coming home, the bike felt a little weird while riding over the curved overpass. When I got home I looked at the tire and it didn't look to be that low, however, when I checked it, it was 12 PSI...

    I double checked it for any punctures and air leaks but nothing showed up, so I filled it to 42 PSI and monitored it for a few days and never had an issue. It is very possible that some unscrupulous person let out some air while it was parked or, being that we often get lazy and not check air pressures on a regular, if not daily basis, so I imagine that my lack attention was the cause of low tire pressure. I have had two tires in my time of riding and driving, that gave up in a dramatic and semi dramatic fashion. One was with my car tire the other with an off-road tire of my ATC, both were due to improper maintenance.

    OK, so now before I go run my errand I'm actually going to check the air pressure!
     
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