2010 GW Roadsmith aged tires; rear tire to front

[Lazarus]

At what age do most owners replace their tires, or is it always by mileage? I have two 2012 dated Nexens on my RS, with only 17,777 on the trike. They look brand new, but they are not. Should I replace them due to age, or ride em till they’re worn out?

On the topic of rear tire to front on a trike I”m baffled. The rear tire on a two wheel GWing is 16”, the front wheel is 18”. Do you put the 16” up front and replace the 18” totally, wheel and all, or do you look for an 18” tire with rear wheel measurements? Help me understand please. Thanks in advance. I don’t have a rear wheel for the front.

 

[rhino 2]

At what age do most owners replace their tires, or is it always by mileage? I have two 2012 dated Nexens on my RS, with only 17777 on the trike. They look brand new, but they are not. Should I replace them due to age, or ride em till they’re worn out?

On the topic of rear tire to front on a trike I”m baffled. The rear tire on a two wheel GWing is 16”, the front wheel is 18”. Do you put the 16” up front and replace the 18” totally, wheel and all, or do you look for an 18” tire with rear wheel measurements? Help me understand please. Thanks in advance. I don’t have a rear wheel for the front.

View attachment 116269

On /With Trikes the front tire wheel rim is an entirely different size than the rear tires. You do Not ! rotate them when they wear you replace them with , like sized as the originals,.. just me, mind you, but I’m a maverick I don’t go by age or miles. With tires when they get down to the wear indicators that’s when I’ll change them.. Now saying that if the sidewalls look cracked or dried out, then I will change them..

 

[Lazarus]

I hear you, but……

On /With Trikes the front tire wheel rim is an entirely different size than the rear tires. You do Not ! rotate them when they wear you replace them with , like sized as the originals,.. just me, mind you, but I’m a maverick I don’t go by age or miles. With tires when they get down to the wear indicators that’s when I’ll change them.. Now saying that if the sidewalls look cracked or dried out, then I will change them..

I’m tempted to agree with you on the age vs. mileage thing. My tires look fine, but they are almost as old as the trike! SO how do they put a rear GW tire on the front of a GW trike? That’s what I don’t understand. Thanks for tuning in.

 

[cycle7447]

I’m tempted to agree with you on the age vs. mileage thing. My tires look fine, but they are almost as old as the trike! SO how do they put a rear GW tire on the front of a GW trike? That’s what I don’t understand. Thanks for tuning in.

I think you misread his post. You do not put a rear Wing tire on the front of the trike. Instead, you find either a trike tire (Avon trike 18-inch tire) or find an 18-inch rear tire like the Bridgestone BT46 and put that on the front (run it backwards.

As for your rear wheels (car tires) - they are 11 years old. Even if there are just 18K miles on them, I would be inclined to replace them.

 

[Jack Klarich]

Use a flash light and check the sidewalls and inside the tread for cracking

If your tires show signs of cracking replace them for sure

Tires also have manufacture codes on the side wall, if your tires are more than 5 years old I would replace them JMO

 

[Lazarus]

Got it….

I think you misread his post. You do not put a rear Wing tire on the front of the trike. Instead, you find either a trike tire (Avon trike 18-inch tire) or find an 18-inch rear tire like the Bridgestone BT46 and put that on the front (run it backwards.

As for your rear wheels (car tires) - they are 11 years old. Even if there are just 18K miles on them, I would be inclined to replace them.

Ok, that makes sense on the rear to front business. On the rear trike tires, with only 18K, it seems like a waste, and a way to sell new tires. I know the cautions, but….damn. Thanks again.

 

[Lazarus]

Since you’re from MI…..

I think you misread his post. You do not put a rear Wing tire on the front of the trike. Instead, you find either a trike tire (Avon trike 18-inch tire) or find an 18-inch rear tire like the Bridgestone BT46 and put that on the front (run it backwards.As for your rear wheels (car tires) - they are 11 years old. Even if there are just 18K miles on them, I would be inclined to replace them.

Since you’re from MI (I bought this trike in Grand Rapids) have you ever heard of road salt affecting tires in any way negatively? I’m having to replace my muffler tips due to rust, and there’s probably more rust I haven’t seen underneath. Does the salt affect tires?

 

[cycle7447]

Since you’re from MI (I bought this trike in Grand Rapids) have you ever heard of road salt affecting tires in any way negatively? I’m having to replace my muffler tips due to rust, and there’s probably more rust I haven’t seen underneath. Does the salt affect tires?

Road salt has very limited effect of tires. Plus, folks from Michigan, as you might imagine, park their bikes during the winter season.

Up to you about the rear tires being replaced with just 18K on them. Still, as I mentioned, they are about 13 years old - and like others here, I would replace them.

Curious, how old is the front tire?

 

[Lazarus]

Road salt has very limited effect of tires. Plus, folks from Michigan, as you might imagine, park their bikes during the winter season.

Up to you about the rear tires being replaced with just 18K on them. Still, as I mentioned, they are about 13 years old - and like others here, I would replace them.

Curious, how old is the front tire?

Front tire is marked 2014 mfg. It is obviously worn and slightly cupped. That’s why I”m curious about the rear in the front idea. Probably time to replace front tire one way or the other. Thanks again.

 

[rhino 2]

Since you’re from MI (I bought this trike in Grand Rapids) have you ever heard of road salt affecting tires in any way negatively? I’m having to replace my muffler tips due to rust, and there’s probably more rust I haven’t seen underneath. Does the salt affect tires?

My my wife’s brother worked for Great Lakes steel many years ago just outside of Detroit?. He said all the workers cars sitting in the parking lot would rust out within two years even Corvettes though they are fiberglass the metal part's like radiator brackets etc.. they would rust out salt and steel don’t mix..

 

[cycle7447]

My my wife’s brother worked for Great Lakes steel many years ago just outside of Detroit?. He said all the workers cars sitting in the parking lot would rust out within two years even Corvettes though they are fiberglass the metal part's like radiator brackets etc.. they would rust out salt and steel don’t mix..

I agree with the cars rusting out - my response was about the tires. Salt has little or no effect on the rubber.

 

[Lazarus]

My my wife’s brother worked for Great Lakes steel many years ago just outside of Detroit?. He said all the workers cars sitting in the parking lot would rust out within two years even Corvettes though they are fiberglass the metal part's like radiator brackets etc.. they would rust out salt and steel don’t mix..

Yeah, south Texas bred, born and raised, we all heard those nightmares about the road salt. When I bought my trike up there, I figured it couldn’t have been ridden too much in the ice/snow, but it did get the chrome tips on the mufflers. Of course I can’t see underneath it. Not sure I want to. I’ll wear out before this trike.

 

[rhino 2]

Yeah, south Texas bred, born and raised, we all heard those nightmares about the road salt. When I bought my trike up there, I figured it couldn’t have been ridden too much in the ice/snow, but it did get the chrome tips on the mufflers. Of course I can’t see underneath it. Not sure I want to. I’ll wear out before this trike.

And that ain't all......The last few years the DOT have been just before it snows Pre-Treating the roads with Liquid Brine.....And that stuff eats through concrete right down to the rebar and that is causing many over passes to fail...When i have to ride my Trike through it smells like fish oil....So if you can't wash it off soon ' You can see the rust underneath starting over night...(I have a hot water hose in my garage to hose it off)

 

[Jack Klarich]

And that ain't all......The last few years the DOT have been just before it snows Pre-Treating the roads with Liquid Brine.....And that stuff eats through concrete right down to the rebar and that is causing many over passes to fail...When i have to ride my Trike through it smells like fish oil....So if you can't wash it off soon ' You can see the rust underneath starting over night...(I have a hot water hose in my garage to hose it off)

That salt brine works its way into electrical connectors big time

I hate when people from the North bring their cars, trucks and other vehicles here to the South with that crap all over their vehicles, it makes fixing problems a whole new experience and I don't mean a fun one

 

[cycle7447]

That salt brine works its way into electrical connectors big time

I hate when people from the North bring their cars, trucks and other vehicles here to the South with that crap all over their vehicles, it makes fixing problems a whole new experience and I don't mean a fun one

Sir - I am so sorry to read this comment from you. As a businessman, I am certain that repairs made on some vehicles that have salt, mud and other thing on them might create a little extra work, I am confident that you may charge for the extra attention.

We have a number of car washes here and most folks that appreciate their rides do all they can to keep them clean and well running.

I am hopeful that if I am in your area, I will not need any work. If I do, I am also hopeful that there is another businessman that doesn't feel this way about folks just because they live in the north.

 

[ROAD DOG]

This post from me comes from years of people bringing their vehicles to me caked with mud, salt and other debris, I never turned the work away, but I would much rather have folks take better care of their vehicles and think of the guy that is going to work on it

I have never taken any of my vehicles into a shop to have work done without pre checking, by that I mean how would I want to work on my own vehicle

I had a guy from Jersey bring me a Jeep he drove down during Bike Week with no brakes, jeep packed with mud and salt lines all over

The scary part was he had NO brakes ( leaky rotted out steel lines)

I did not turn him away and did NOT charge extra, I ended up having to replace every steel line, ( custom making the brake lines, including cutting and flaring)

New master and bleed system, it took about 3 hours, he was happy with the job

Ya Jack live up hear that's all we get is Rotted out shit boxes. I have stopped doing rust work, we get calls all day long customers asking for us to do rot work, nobody in our town does it anymore, because it comes back in less than a year, last one I did was a Buick Lacross rocker panels were rotted he begged me to do them he said just patch them up IM getting rid of the car in the next few weeks

comes back 9 months latter got rust bubbles on it bitchin at me, I told my wife look up what he paid us give him a check, I told him thank you & no more rust repair, I'm happier & healthier . rotted out frames calipers so rusted you can't get the bleeders out, got a Jeep the guy next door the gas tank skid plate is rotted its going to be $1100.

+ the guy bitchen oh my god that's a lot of money, I tell him Please go some were else. We get Ford Chevy Ram pickups Rotted to shit. customer pulls up Hay can you look at my truck got a little rust I need repaired ok before I go out from what I can see from here it will start at $10000. Then I here that's crazy $10000. what are you going to do, replace the fenders doors rocker panel 1/4 panels.

 

[Burnerboy]

I have a yearly pass at my local car wash (UNlimited car washes) Everytime I pass the car wash, in I go and get my vehicle(s) washed, (and that included undercarrage as well)

On my TRIKE I'm not only an oil changeOHLIC BUT I'm also a clean freakOHLIC as well...............

When I wash the TRIKE , I usually put a block in front of the front wheel, and jack up the rear of the bike, and using a long handled brush, I clean underneath, as well using soapy water................. I love clean! outside as well as under side.............

Ronnie

1/11/24

 

[cycle7447]

I have a yearly pass at my local car wash (UNlimited car washes) Everytime I pass the car wash, in I go and get my vehicle(s) washed, (and that included undercarrage as well)

On my TRIKE I'm not only an oil changeOHLIC BUT I'm also a clean freakOHLIC as well...............

When I wash the TRIKE , I usually put a block in front of the front wheel, and jack up the rear of the bike, and using a long handled brush, I clean underneath, as well using soapy water................. I love clean! outside as well as under side.............

Ronnie

1/11/24

Sounds like you do love clean.

I only get the monthly car wash on one of my cars. I do this between say November and April. For the other months, I usually wash my car by hand.

The other vehicle, my Tahoe is not used that much so, I don't get that monthly service.

For my tirke, we usually wash it once a week (unless we travel and hit some rain). It is usually waxed by my wife every other month.

 

[Burnerboy]

Sounds like you do love clean.

I only get the monthly car wash on one of my cars. I do this between say November and April. For the other months, I usually wash my car by hand.

The other vehicle, my Tahoe is not used that much so, I don't get that monthly service.

For my tirke, we usually wash it once a week (unless we travel and hit some rain). It is usually waxed by my wife every other month.

Oh as far as wax'n , everytime, it rains into my garage I go and give it a total wax job (i'm retired /so I have the time)

Ronnie

1/13/24

 

[rhino 2]

Oh as far as wax'n , everytime, it rains into my garage I go and give it a total wax job (i'm retired /so I have the time)

Ronnie

1/13/24

I’m retired going on 23 years now…And I don’t have time to wax the Trike but maybe? Only once in two years….…When IF I ever trade it in the dealer can wax it for the next owner…

 

[tourman]

My my wife’s brother worked for Great Lakes steel many years ago just outside of Detroit?. He said all the workers cars sitting in the parking lot would rust out within two years even Corvettes though they are fiberglass the metal part's like radiator brackets etc.. they would rust out salt and steel don’t mix..

No way would a car rust out in 2 years :Whack:

 

[BIG DENNY]

I think you misread his post. You do not put a rear Wing tire on the front of the trike. Instead, you find either a trike tire (Avon trike 18-inch tire) or find an 18-inch rear tire like the Bridgestone BT46 and put that on the front (run it backwards.

As for your rear wheels (car tires) - they are 11 years old. Even if there are just 18K miles on them, I would be inclined to replace them.

YOU GOT THAT RIGHT OR BY WHAT YOU NEAD AND BE DONE WITH IT.....

 

[Ironhorse54]

I respectfully disagree with cycle 7447 about running the tire backwards. I am using the BT 46 as front tire. I’ve heard this statement before and asked my tire mechanic about that. He said that was the stupidest thing he ever heard. The tire treads were made to push water away from the tire. If you reverse, it is going to defeat that purpose.

 

[cycle7447]

I respectfully disagree with cycle 7447 about running the tire backwards. I am using the BT 46 as front tire. I’ve heard this statement before and asked my tire mechanic about that. He said that was the stupidest thing he ever heard. The tire treads were made to push water away from the tire. If you reverse, it is going to defeat that purpose.

Sir - you can certainly disagree - sorry to hear that your mechanic thinks this is such a stupid idea. I have been doing this on my trikes since the mid 1990s.

Please take a moment and review this link - perhaps this will share why it is done. Also, look at the Avon trike tire - exactly what they did for a lot more money.

New front tire after conversion???

I am just looking for feedback about front tire after conversion. On my last trike, I had a Dunlop on front, can't remember which one, but I swapped it out as soon as I had driven it home after conversion. I went with a BT-45. On this next conversion, as long as there is plenty of tread left...

triketalk.com

 

[pwhoever]

IMHO, I think it's fine either way and both have their merits. I think it comes down to personal choice.