OP
@g03 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500 08
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Location: Toms River area, New Jersey
 
Molto Verboso
@g03 avatar
MP3 500 08
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Location: Toms River area, New Jersey
UTC quote
Have to add more photos, but these were quick ones in parking lot. If the front tire is wearing on one side, off center; then this may help. Order of proceedure. 1 remove cover with philips screw. 2 remove 13mm nut. 3 slide off big washer, then thin spacer washer. 4 Pull knuckle joint apart. (dark photos) 5 another thin washer is on this side. 6 Idea is to move the washer to the OPPOSITE, of wearing side. So it pushes the tire top to offset wearing. Bottom line, move both thin washers to one side of knucle joint, and reassemble with big washer and nut, then cover and screw. Example: this tire was wearing on the outside, so both thin washers were moved to OPPOSITE inner side of joint. If tire was wearing on the inside, then both thin washers would go to OUTTER side of knuckle joint, with nut and big washer. UPDATED correction 9/24/2011 Thanks OAD & Fuzzy for the information, I only posted the details.
cover
cover
nut under cover
nut under cover
first removed nut, big washer and thin washer.
first removed nut, big washer and thin washer.
nut off
nut off
tire wearing off center.
tire wearing off center.
knuckle joint pulled apart
knuckle joint pulled apart
knuckle joint together
knuckle joint together
knuckle joint with outter big washer only.
knuckle joint with outter big washer only.
knuckle joint with thin washers on inside.
knuckle joint with thin washers on inside.
⚠️ Last edited by G03 on UTC; edited 5 times
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
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Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
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Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
you put the inside thin washer to the outside so both thin washers are behind the nut correct?
@stickyfrog avatar
UTC

Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
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Moderatus Rana
@stickyfrog avatar
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
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Location: Nashville, Indiana
UTC quote
Even though I was standing right there I missed seeing it live. Thanks for posting G03. Does anyone know if it is the same set up on the 250?
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
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Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
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Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
stickyfrog wrote:
Even though I was standing right there I missed seeing it live. Thanks for posting G03. Does anyone know if it is the same set up on the 250?
yes they use the same parts.
OP
@g03 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500 08
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1560
Location: Toms River area, New Jersey
 
Molto Verboso
@g03 avatar
MP3 500 08
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Posts: 1560
Location: Toms River area, New Jersey
UTC quote
Corrected 9/24/2011
⚠️ Last edited by G03 on UTC; edited 1 time
@maksor avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Gilera Fuoco 500ie
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Posts: 4521
Location: Netherlands Olst
 
Ossessionato
@maksor avatar
Gilera Fuoco 500ie
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UTC quote
better mesure with one of these

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text

use 2 and the distance between them has to be 37.5cm both sides front and rear then you don't have any toe in or out
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
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Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
Re: Front wheel fast fix
G03 wrote:
Have to add more photos, but these were quick ones in parking lot. If the front tire is wearing on one side, off center; then this may help. Order of proceedure. 1 remove cover with philips screw. 2 remove 13mm nut. 3 slide off big washer, then thin spacer washer. 4 Pull knuckle joint apart. (dark photos) 5 another thin washer is on this side. 6 Idea is to move the washer on the wearing side. So it pushes the tire top to offset wearing. Bottom line, move both thin washers to one side of knucle joint, and reassemble with big washer and nut, then cover and screw. Hope I got this right ? Example: this tire was wearing on the outside, so both thin washers were move to nut side of joint. If it was wearing on the inside, then both thin washers would go to inner side of knuckle joint, pulled apart. So extra washer is pushing the top more, for the bottom wear, to move to center.
you got the wrong way of thinking on the washer placement. if the tire is worn on the inside remove the inner thin washer and place to the outside behind the nut and thick washer so bothe thin ones are on the outside, If the tire is worn on the outside remove the outside washer and put it on the inside next to the thin one and just leave the thick washer and nut outside.
@stickyfrog avatar
UTC

Moderatus Rana
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
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Moderatus Rana
@stickyfrog avatar
MP3 250 and 2 MP3 500s
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UTC quote
Somebody should make this into a wiki item.
@fuzzy avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
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Location: South Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fuzzy avatar
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 6249
Location: South Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee
UTC quote
Clarification
DISCLAIMER
This is a quick fix that may correct an uneven wear pattern on a front tire if the wear is heavy to one side of center. Other uneven wear such as cupping is a different problem / correction.It is a correction in the right direction but may not be the optimum amount. It is not a complete substitute to having a dealer use the alignment jig. If both front tires have a problem then there is no reference point and this method will be a crap shoot at best.

METHOD
Moving the washer changes the aim of the wheel known as toe in. This is the front to back angle not top to bottom.

If one front tire is worn excessively to one side of center it indicates that tire does not have proper toe in and the adjustment to the tie rod is required.

Where the tie rod connects to the steering there is a universal joint shown in the pictures. Where the universal joint bolts to the steering above the wheel it has a thin washer each side and to the outside just under the nut is a thicker washer.

The tire needs to be turned with the front moving towards the worn side, Moving a washer from the wornside to the good side in relation to tire. For example if the tire is worn on the side closest to the other front tire it needs to be turned closer to the other front tire. Removing a washer from the back of the connection so both are just under the thick washer and nut does this.

I am now personally aware of 4 MP3s with wear to the inside of a front tire so I am inclined to think this is the more common occurance. In this case move the washer from inside to outside.

I can also say that on my MP3 400 this has corrected the wear problem.
@cubsking99 avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2711
Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area)
 
Ossessionato
@cubsking99 avatar
2007 Yamaha Vino 125
Joined: UTC
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Location: Geneseo, IL (Quad City area)
UTC quote
Mine was one of those that had this problem. Glad to see that it's posted now for everyone else's reference.

You added reflective tape to the side of the control arms, didn't you, G03?
OP
@g03 avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500 08
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1560
Location: Toms River area, New Jersey
 
Molto Verboso
@g03 avatar
MP3 500 08
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Posts: 1560
Location: Toms River area, New Jersey
UTC quote
Reflective tape in a couple areas, never to safe with no lights on!
@bubbajon avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
RIP: MP3 500 - Brutto Moto
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Location: Austin, TX
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@bubbajon avatar
RIP: MP3 500 - Brutto Moto
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UTC quote
You guys have to use a knuckle buster or pickle fork to get the joint apart?
@fuzzy avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
Joined: UTC
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Location: South Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@fuzzy avatar
. . 2008 Blue MP3 400. . di Peluria Orso .... 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 ....... 2013 Honda NC700XD; 2017 Versys X300
Joined: UTC
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Location: South Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee
UTC quote
BubbaJon wrote:
You guys have to use a knuckle buster or pickle fork to get the joint apart?
Don't actually take the u-joint apart. It has a threaded piece on each end for attachments to the wheel steering tube and tie rod. Only the end connected to the steering tube needs to be taken apart as the washers are either side of the attachment. Once the nut and outer washers are removed just pull on the wheel to turn it and the attachment point comes off the u-joint threads exposing the washer on the back.

One other interesting observation of the problem. I have personally seen the excessive wear on 3 MP3s. All were wear on the inside of the right front tire and I think the 4th mentioned may have been as well. (Correct OAD?) If 4 for 4 it is a strong statistical indication that the problem is much more likely on that wheel for some reason?
@empetrenorge avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
Honda VFR 1200X Crosstourer
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Location: Norway,Drammen
 
Enthusiast
@empetrenorge avatar
Honda VFR 1200X Crosstourer
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Location: Norway,Drammen
UTC quote
Fuzzy wrote:
BubbaJon wrote:
You guys have to use a knuckle buster or pickle fork to get the joint apart?
Don't actually take the u-joint apart. It has a threaded piece on each end for attachments to the wheel steering tube and tie rod. Only the end connected to the steering tube needs to be taken apart as the washers are either side of the attachment. Once the nut and outer washers are removed just pull on the wheel to turn it and the attachment point comes off the u-joint threads exposing the washer on the back.

One other interesting observation of the problem. I have personally seen the excessive wear on 3 MP3s. All were wear on the inside of the right front tire and I think the 4th mentioned may have been as well. (Correct OAD?) If 4 for 4 it is a strong statistical indication that the problem is much more likely on that wheel for some reason?
Count that 5 and 6.
I´ve had it twice. First time I had to change the tie rod(Bent more than 1cm), this time its not that much, can probably fix it with some washers.
Both times, right wheel inside wear.

One thing I´ve noticed, if I do a hard right hand turn and hit some bumps/potholes, it bottoms out much faster than on left hand turns.....
Strange?????
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
Fuzzy wrote:
BubbaJon wrote:
You guys have to use a knuckle buster or pickle fork to get the joint apart?
Don't actually take the u-joint apart. It has a threaded piece on each end for attachments to the wheel steering tube and tie rod. Only the end connected to the steering tube needs to be taken apart as the washers are either side of the attachment. Once the nut and outer washers are removed just pull on the wheel to turn it and the attachment point comes off the u-joint threads exposing the washer on the back.

One other interesting observation of the problem. I have personally seen the excessive wear on 3 MP3s. All were wear on the inside of the right front tire and I think the 4th mentioned may have been as well. (Correct OAD?) If 4 for 4 it is a strong statistical indication that the problem is much more likely on that wheel for some reason?
Correct.
@maynard_schweigert avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
MP3 500
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Posts: 1299
Location: Utah
 
Molto Verboso
@maynard_schweigert avatar
MP3 500
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⬆️    About 7 years elapsed    ⬇️
UTC

Lurker
Piaggio MP3 250
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2
Location: Marysville,Washington
 
Lurker
Piaggio MP3 250
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Location: Marysville,Washington
UTC quote
The toe in toe out link no longer exist Does anybody have an updated link for the toe in toe out solution?
UTC

Enthusiast
MP3 250LiTe
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Posts: 68
Location: Sweden
 
Enthusiast
MP3 250LiTe
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Location: Sweden
UTC quote
Strange i was told by my dealer that wear on the inside of the tires is normal due to the way the suspention is set up (camber). Honestly, i'm not seeing any noticeable camber that would point to such abnormal wear, but i'll guess we'll see how my new tires will fare.
@roadster avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Kymco AK550
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Location: UK
 
Molto Verboso
@roadster avatar
Kymco AK550
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Location: UK
UTC quote
On most rear wheel drive vehicles it is unusual to find front tyres which do wear evenly in normal road use. The actual wear is typically because of road camber so tends to be worse on the nearside tyre. i.e. left hand wheel in the UK, right hand wheel in the US. Adjusting the toe-in as described may well reduce the wear and the MP3 cannot directly be compared to car suspension because much smaller angles of turn are involved for any given corner radius. Increasing the amount of toe-in increases the self centering force generated by the two wheels opposing one another. Setting the wheels with toe-out would make them unstable and the scooter could act like a shopping trolley although castor angle is the bigger factor in this. If you don't believe me try reversing a car at high speed, preferably in a field, but keep a tight grip on the steering wheel or you will end up in a ditch.
@lowoncash avatar
UTC

Enthusiast
MP3
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Location: Atlanta Ga
 
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@lowoncash avatar
MP3
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Location: Atlanta Ga
UTC quote
roadster wrote:
On most rear wheel drive vehicles it is unusual to find front tyres which do wear evenly in normal road use. The actual wear is typically because of road camber so tends to be worse on the nearside tyre. i.e. left hand wheel in the UK, right hand wheel in the US. Adjusting the toe-in as described may well reduce the wear and the MP3 cannot directly be compared to car suspension because much smaller angles of turn are involved for any given corner radius. Increasing the amount of toe-in increases the self centering force generated by the two wheels opposing one another. Setting the wheels with toe-out would make them unstable and the scooter could act like a shopping trolley although castor angle is the bigger factor in this. If you don't believe me try reversing a car at high speed, preferably in a field, but keep a tight grip on the steering wheel or you will end up in a ditch.
Great anology on the reverse theory!

Mike
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
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@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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UTC quote
roadster wrote:
On most rear wheel drive vehicles it is unusual to find front tyres which do wear evenly in normal road use. The actual wear is typically because of road camber so tends to be worse on the nearside tyre. i.e. left hand wheel in the UK, right hand wheel in the US. Adjusting the toe-in as described may well reduce the wear and the MP3 cannot directly be compared to car suspension because much smaller angles of turn are involved for any given corner radius. Increasing the amount of toe-in increases the self centering force generated by the two wheels opposing one another. Setting the wheels with toe-out would make them unstable and the scooter could act like a shopping trolley although castor angle is the bigger factor in this. If you don't believe me try reversing a car at high speed, preferably in a field, but keep a tight grip on the steering wheel or you will end up in a ditch.
Heh.

Road camber has eff-all to do with tyre wear on motorcycles - or cars - or MP3s! Tyre wear occurs only on acceleration. That means positive or negative acceleration, from foot to the floor, braking or cornering.

Duff camber or toe-in is the usual culprit on cars (and MP3s), (occasionally caster is the culprit) - on a 2-wheeled motorcycle it's about vehicle (not road) camber only - how the wheel is centered vertically wrt the frame and main body mass.

Someone who normally rides with their bum slightly to one side could cause uneven side-to-side tyre wear on a motorcycle.

Road camber (which is normally minute, and anyway m/c riders tend to ride nearer the centre of the road) is a total red herring. Far more wear occurs on the sides of the tyre each time you take any sort of curve in the road.
@roadster avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
Kymco AK550
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Location: UK
 
Molto Verboso
@roadster avatar
Kymco AK550
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Location: UK
UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Heh.

Road camber has eff-all to do with tyre wear on motorcycles - or cars - or MP3s! Tyre wear occurs only on acceleration. That means positive or negative acceleration, from foot to the floor, braking or cornering.

Duff camber or toe-in is the usual culprit on cars (and MP3s), (occasionally caster is the culprit) - on a 2-wheeled motorcycle it's about vehicle (not road) camber only - how the wheel is centered vertically wrt the frame and main body mass.

Someone who normally rides with their bum slightly to one side could cause uneven side-to-side tyre wear on a motorcycle.

Road camber (which is normally minute, and anyway m/c riders tend to ride nearer the centre of the road) is a total red herring. Far more wear occurs on the sides of the tyre each time you take any sort of curve in the road.
With greatest respect we will have to agree to disagree on this. There are far too many variables at play to be dogmatic.
Tyre construction - MP3 uses scooter tyres which are not design for MP3 front wheels.
Riding style (lean angles, cornering speed, braking technique etc.).
Road condition and type for riders typical journeys.
Laden weight.
Tyre pressure.
Design compromises and manufacturing variations in all of the geometric factors you list.

I don't think uneven tyre wear is something to get too concerned about unless it means changing front tyres at a ridiculously low mileage. Especially when a hard ridden MP3 will go through rear tyres in 3 to 4 thousand miles.
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
roadster wrote:
jimc wrote:
Heh.

Road camber has eff-all to do with tyre wear on motorcycles - or cars - or MP3s! Tyre wear occurs only on acceleration. That means positive or negative acceleration, from foot to the floor, braking or cornering.

Duff camber or toe-in is the usual culprit on cars (and MP3s), (occasionally caster is the culprit) - on a 2-wheeled motorcycle it's about vehicle (not road) camber only - how the wheel is centered vertically wrt the frame and main body mass.

Someone who normally rides with their bum slightly to one side could cause uneven side-to-side tyre wear on a motorcycle.

Road camber (which is normally minute, and anyway m/c riders tend to ride nearer the centre of the road) is a total red herring. Far more wear occurs on the sides of the tyre each time you take any sort of curve in the road.
With greatest respect we will have to agree to disagree on this. There are far too many variables at play to be dogmatic.
Tyre construction - MP3 uses scooter tyres which are not design for MP3 front wheels.
Riding style (lean angles, cornering speed, braking technique etc.).
Road condition and type for riders typical journeys.
Laden weight.
Tyre pressure.
Design compromises and manufacturing variations in all of the geometric factors you list.

I don't think uneven tyre wear is something to get too concerned about unless it means changing front tyres at a ridiculously low mileage. Especially when a hard ridden MP3 will go through rear tyres in 3 to 4 thousand miles.
Jim is correct in his answer above.
Off center tire wear is a cause of a problem in the motorcycle or scooter.
You can't ride enough on the sides of tires to cause that much wear before the centers are worn out.
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 43354
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
old as dirt wrote:
You can't ride enough on the sides of tires to cause that much wear before the centers are worn out.
Actually that's not true for the dual-compound City Grips - I've just had to change a couple of GTS front tyres that had loads of tread left but were nearly worn to the cords on both sides. We had done loads of twisties.
They had a very triangular profile - I wish I'd taken pictures. They also caused tons of the dreaded GTS wobble - which vanished with the new rubber.
@klaborde avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
2009 MP3/250, 2012 GTS Super 300ie
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Posts: 4308
Location: Marietta, GA
 
Ossessionato
@klaborde avatar
2009 MP3/250, 2012 GTS Super 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 4308
Location: Marietta, GA
UTC quote
jimc wrote:
old as dirt wrote:
You can't ride enough on the sides of tires to cause that much wear before the centers are worn out.
Actually that's not true for the dual-compound City Grips - I've just had to change a couple of GTS front tyres that had loads of tread left but were nearly worn to the cords on both sides. We had done loads of twisties.
They had a very triangular profile - I wish I'd taken pictures. They also caused tons of the dreaded GTS wobble - which vanished with the new rubber.
Maybe they were under inflated ?
I adjust my air pressure to change the wear patterns, and that seems to work.

Keith,
Marietta, GA
@jimc avatar
UTC

Moderaptor
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
Joined: UTC
Posts: 43354
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
 
Moderaptor
@jimc avatar
The Hornet (GT200, aka Love Bug) and 'Dimples' - a GTS 300
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Posts: 43354
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
UTC quote
Actually they were inflated to a couple of PSI over the recommended pressure - both of us prefer the ride like that.
@old_as_dirt avatar
UTC

Veni, Vidi, Posti
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
 
Veni, Vidi, Posti
@old_as_dirt avatar
2007 GTS
Joined: UTC
Posts: 22412
Location: Harriman, Tennessee, Tn
UTC quote
jimc wrote:
Actually they were inflated to a couple of PSI over the recommended pressure - both of us prefer the ride like that.
over inflation is just as bad as under inflation.
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