De-slippery'fying new tire

[stopintime]

I'm getting my third rear tire - second Metzeler Sportec M3.

Is there a smart way, besides riding it off, to get rid of the slippery stuff on new tires? Chemicals, sand paper?

[RB]

the slippery stuff is referred to as Mold Release. The only way i have ever heard of removing it, is riding it. I take my new rubber, once mounted of course, to a nearby parking deck. This parking deck is never used, has no oil spots, and is flat rough concrete. i do a bunch of slow turns, working up to a little more lean angle, but nothing drastic. To get the chicken strip area scrubbed, i take her out to some back roads, still no drastic lean angles, but slightly more to get the carcass heated up a bit. Then to the track, no sense in buying new rubber if you aren't going to use it....all of it!

[Duck-Stew]

Besides riding slowly/safely...

Brake-cleaner on a rag will do it.  Be sure to spray the cleaner into the rag away from the bike and then apply the rag onto the tire.  After a light scrubbing you'll be able to see the difference (most likely) and will assuredly be able to feel the difference.

I've got to do that same thing later today on some Pilot Power 2CT's. 

[stopintime]

the slippery stuff is referred to as Mold Release. .......................

Fancy pantsy  Do you know what this stuff actually is? Does it bond to the rubber in any way?

.................. Then to the track, no sense in buying new rubber if you aren't going to use it....all of it!

I throw away perfectly good rubber for almost $1k a year. I'm working on that with several track days this season, but with city, commuting and highways it isn't really possible to avoid it? (providing I insist on using sport tires)

......................
Brake-cleaner on a rag will do it.  Be sure to spray the cleaner into the rag away from the bike and then apply the rag onto the tire.  After a light scrubbing you'll be able to see the difference (most likely) and will assuredly be able to feel the difference.
...................

Aha - I heard about this kind of pranks done to newbs - a good cleaning with aggressive chemicals, let it work for a minute - one circumference worth of riding and voila - the tire lays flat glued to the ground behind you 

Thanks guys

[Duck-Stew]

Aha - I heard about this kind of pranks done to newbs - a good cleaning with aggressive chemicals, let it work for a minute - one circumference worth of riding and voila - the tire lays flat glued to the ground behind you 

Never heard of what you're describing...  Perhaps we're not talking about the same chemical. 

[corndog67]

We use brake clean in the race shop daily.  The pit crew uses it for rebuilds between rounds.   Personally, I wouldn't use it one tires.  I notice when you get it on your hands, it draws any kind  of oil out of your skin, and on machinery, it will take paint off.  I'm not sure what it will do to the chemical make up of the rubber on the outside of tires, but the stuff we use (Pyroil) is very aggresive, and I would be very cautious using it on tires. 

I've got these big long sweepers going to work.   I roll into them at about 100, and you can feel the stuff wearing off of your tires.  At 100 or so, things happen pretty predictably and slowly, it will wiggle a bit, and after a turn or three, you can tell it's gone.  There's no feeling like new tires. 

[stopintime]

Never heard of what you're describing...  Perhaps we're not talking about the same chemical. 

My scenario was just in my head - I was just thinking about what it would look like if some kind of chemical liquified the rubber.
If it could go down like that, it would be the ultimate prank to play on a newb.

BTW Stu: Have you done this before or is it your first attempt?



Corndog: I'm going to put a generous amount on the old tire first and see what happens.

[1313]

I've read different articles about scrubbing in tires without riding.

1. Brake cleaner and rag
2. Simple Green degreaser with a course scrubber (probably safest chemical scrubbing)
3. Goo Gone and rag
4. Sand paper (Probably the closest to riding)
5. Orbital sander (same as above)

[Duck-Stew]

My scenario was just in my head - I was just thinking about what it would look like if some kind of chemical liquified the rubber.
If it could go down like that, it would be the ultimate prank to play on a newb.

BTW Stu: Have you done this before or is it your first attempt?



Corndog: I'm going to put a generous amount on the old tire first and see what happens.

Done it several times before without issues.  Just wanted to know if you knew something I didn't.

The bike I'll be doing it on tomorrow is an S4Rs which has JUST been finished by me and I can't afford to replace it...so the tires get a light chem-bath before venturing outward. 

[stopintime]

  Just wanted to know if you knew something I didn't.

not very likely        (at least about bikes)

The bike I'll be doing it on tomorrow is an S4Rs which has JUST been finished by me and I can't afford to replace it...

- and what is wrong with your camera 

[Duck-Stew]

not very likely        (at least about bikes)

- and what is wrong with your camera 

Ok, point taken.

Camera?!?  Well, my g/f will be home later tonight and she knows where the battery charger is for the camera...I, do not. 

There will be an entire thread in General here shortly with a write-up & pics & such...  patience man....patience.

[Duki09]

Well, that's nice. A motorcycle is a vehicle balanced on just two wheels at which traction is paramount if you want to be safe.... but they put a slippery compound on it.

You'd think they'd provide a warning on something like that and provide instructions for cleaning and removal before use.

But, I know,  that would make sense.

[DuciD03]

1. I've used hot water & detergent, with a nylon bristle brush; seems to make a difference and doesn't eat the rubber.

2. I've also used rubbing alcohol 99% pure and it seems to be more mild than the break cleaner, but not sure if this does something to the rubber, might dry it a bit.  I do this in the evening complimented with a small cigar and Islay scotch ...

3. and I've used break cleaner; but does eat into the rubber a bit; so its changing the composition of the rubber so you should be as carefull with a quick wipe and leave it at that.

... with all the above I still take her easy (as you'd probably do too) and find an empty parking lot on my first ride out and do some progressively leaning figure 8's.

PS what do you think of the Metzeler Sportec M3?  I'm using a new Perelli Rosso on the rear which I find have a good profile for cornering and are good and sticky at 35 lbs; still have the stock battle axe on the front (not impressed) at 33lbs, air pressures seem to work best.

[stopintime]

I'm very happy with the M3s, but then I have no experience with anything else except the stock Batlax (14?).
The stock tires have a flat profile with less allowance for lean - I didn't have chicken strips on those, but I still do on my M3s.
During my first track day last year, wet conditions, I did similar lean angles that I would on a dry street - so, they're pretty good on wet roads too.

My rear is now down close to the cord, after about 6,000 miles. The front will last twice that.