tire scalloping

[wingnut]

Noticed some scalloping on my rear tire. When I push the bike on a smooth surface I can feel it. Any thoughts on what could be causing it. It’s a Dunlop 491 elite II. Seems to be more prevalent on the left side than on the right. Lots of miles on it and it is old so I will be replacing it soon. Just don’t want to put the new one on if the bike is out of sorts somehow

[TopCatGr58]

Scallops isn't necessarily a "FISHY" condition!

Hey WingNut,

I remember reading a link someone has posted from a reputable source, and it stated that essentially ALL motorcycle tires develop scalloping to a certain degree. I can't recall if they said that it was more prone for the front than the rear, but they did say that it was more common for the left side, partly due to the crowning of the roadway, and riding on the right side of that slant induces more wear on the left side.

Since it's an old tire, like you said, you're going to replace it. Just check your bearings while you have the rear wheel off, and of course regrease your splines while you're at it, and you should be good to go. I had an old Elite II that had developed a rather FLAT profile, made it fun leaning into turns!
T.C.

[skids]

Re: Scallops isn't necessarily a "FISHY" condition!

Originally posted by TopCatGr58
(snip)that it was more common for the left side, partly due to the crowning of the roadway, and riding on the right side of that slant induces more wear on the left side. T.C.

Yeah, that is what I heard from my tire mechanic. He said that hard accelerations and hard braking also cause cupping.

[wingnut]

Flat Profile

Yep its developed that issue to. Like this thing isn't heavy enough to try and lean into a corner. I only weigh 160 so sometimes its a battle to get it into the turn the way I want it to. Looking forward to some new rubber

[Jerry]

Just getting the front K491 Elite II changed on my XJ; I pick up the newly-mounted tire (another K491 Elite II) this afternoon. Old tire exibited the cupping problem. Really noticable from about 70 - 75 mph, front forks would shake. Had a conversation with my mechanic, an independednt who has been in business for a long time. Couple comments.

Front tire cupping, at least on the Dunlops, seems to be fairly common.

Check tire presure often, go up a couple pounds. Dunlop reccomends 32 psi for 1-up riding, but 36 psi for fully-dressed bikes and / or heavier riders. (Front tire) I run 40 PSI in the rear, have not had any problems there. 40 is Dunlop's recommendation for heavy or fully-dressed bikes running an Elite II K491 series.

The weight rating of the tire seems to make a difference. The 491 Elite II and Elite 3 series are rated at higher working loads than the 404 series, for example. The XS / XJ series is pretty heavy, so shop for tires that have ample weight load values.

This is the first time I've had this problem with a 491 front, but partly my fault. Last tire was a 90-90/19 instad of the 100-90/19, so was one size smaller than it should have been, and had a lower weight-carrying rating. This time I've gone back to the correct size.

The mechanic didn't think fork alignment was an issue, but did mention that he uses spoke-mounted weights to balance his tires instead of rim units, which keeps the corrective weight in the centerline of the tire. (On the XJ's cast wheels - no spokes - there is a ridge down the center of the wheel and the weights are mounted there. Weight is still on the centerline of the wheel this way.)

Anyway, will put the front end back together tonight or tomorrow and give the new tire a try. Will make sure to keep air presure at 36 psi.

[Pat Kelly]

I wasn't impressed with the cornering on my LG, even after a set of new tires.
I regreased and adjusted the steering head bearings and it made a world of difference.
With the front wheel off it would be a good time to check this area. Some XS's haven't had any maintainence of these bearings in 25 years.