Hitchcocks Forum

Morning all,
Pulled the old ajs out,20 year old tyres, how safe are these going to be.
Cheers
Jenks

Anything over 10 years replace it:-

http://www.rospa.com/road-safety/advice ... ion/#aging

Tyre Ageing

Rubber compounds used in tyres contain anti-oxidising chemicals that help to slow down the natural ageing process of untreated rubber. However, tyres do deteriorate with age, which increases the risk of tyre failure, and there are many ways in which this can be spotted:
• Cracking/crazing on the side wall of the tyre, caused by its flexing
• Distortion of tyre tread
• Deformation of the carcass of the tyre

There will also be a deterioration of the ride quality caused by vibrations through the tyre. This may signify the tyre's performance has been affected by age and should be investigated as soon as possible.

All tyres that display signs of ageing should be removed and not put to further use.

Tyres that have been in storage should not be placed into use if they are over 6 years old, from their date of manufacture. When a tyre has been in use, the effects of ageing are lessened to a degree, but such tyres should be replaced after 10 years.

The effects of ageing can be brought about prematurely in several conditions. Tyres fitted as spare wheels or used on caravans and trailers may age prematurely. If tyres on caravans or trailers are not in regular use, then they should be inspected before every journey. Tyres used predominantly in coastal areas will age at a greater rate due to the saline conditions, and several cleaning products may also harm the chemicals in the rubber.

In most circumstances tread depth can be used as a suitable indication of when tyres should be replaced - as tyre treads generally wear out before their age effects their performance. However, the age of a tyre will affect its safety and increase the risk of failure, and you should inspect tyres for the signs of aging regularly.

Hi jenks, It depends how they have spent the last 20 years - if the bike has stood on them while they have been flat, with the [slim chance I know] sunlight on them, perhaps they should be changed. I have a Tiger Cub with tyres which have been on it for over 20 years, but it was kept well when in storage - in the living room when I used to live alone - and always out of direct sunlight. Obviously the Cub is no superbike and it doesn't travel far or fast and there are no signs of cracking or perishing on the tyres. If you run a finger along the side walls and it comes away black, this indicates perishing and I would change the tyres, likewise any cracks and get rid. My biggest concern would be the inner tubes and the front tyre. Regards, Paul.

A 20 year old tyre more likely to fail catastrophically. I don't know if a proposed 10 year age limit on tyres is part of an MOT yet, but I suspect it will be at some time in the near future.
The front tyre of my Electra X(ish) was made in November 2006 so I will be changing it later this year.

I wouldn't risk it, even if they look OK.

Certainly, if there are any signs of cracks or perishing they should be replaced.

As BW says, you can't see the tubes.

Just imagine the front tyre giving up while you're riding.

Uhm.. simple question: Is it worth risking your life for not getting new ones?

Exile, precisely.

Although noting that they do deteriorate, Michelin say tyres have no predictable shelf live http://www.michelin.co.uk/tyres/learn-s ... e-my-tyres but the USA's DOT insist on a date marking and gives them a six year shelf life.



When a tyre fails on a car you wobble about a bit and grind to a halt, on a bike there is a tendency to painfully bounce off the road. Twenty year seems more than excessive - I would change the tyres.

"Michelin say tyres have no predictable shelf live"
I find this surprising as everything seems to have a shelf life.
A case in point is Loctite. It says the shelf life is one year. I'm still using some that is at least 20 years old and it works fine.
With tyres, it all depends on what condition they are stored in.

Really? You shouldn't even consider asking the question, replace them!