My tire wore down on one side more than the other

[Geezer]

You can check the alignment of the wheels, with respect to each other, by a simple string method. This article is written for a chain motorcycle which allows adjustment of the alignment, but the technique can let you know if you have an alignment problem even if you can't adjust it yourself.

 

[Twigg]

In this instance you might want to check the vertical alignment too. I'm sure it's fine, but being certain can't hurt either

 

[user 8909]

I'm not thinking alignment. The bike would pull to one side or the other, not tilt to one side.

I'm leaning to a defective tire. If my next tire I install does the same thing then I would closer at the bike itself.

I have never had previous tires wear the way this Avon wore or felt the tread pattern not long after it was installed.

Also, when I removed my wheel everything was still torqued and came apart with ease, axel was no way in a bind.

The only other change made to the bike was rebuilt forks by Traxxion.

Process of elimination, besides changing the tire, what else has happen/changed on the bike?

 

[Iris]

Thanks. I need new tires anyway so I'll look at that first.

Then if there is still an issue I will look at the alignment.

I'll keep you all posted.....

 

[Fred W]

I do not understand how a misaligned wheel would result in excess wear up the sides of the tire.

When you are leaned into a turn your axles are not aligned to each other anyway. I don't think a misalignment is the problem.

Besides, if it was misaligned you would feel pull in the bars to go straight down the road.

 

[Iris]

^^^^

Good point!

 

[Dale2010]

A few things come to mind which "might" be responsible for greater wear on one side of your tire. Depending on your riding, some of these suggestions may be way off while others might be a possibility. Just some ideas:

• defective tire
• more weight in one of your saddle bags than the other
• road crown
• wheels not aligned with each other
• bent forks or frame
• riding habits (more turns one way or another) - when given the option, some riders always prefer to turn left (for example) when doing "U" turns.
• uneven spring rates in the front forks
• tire bead may not be "snaped in place" completely
• one of the calipers grabbing harder on one side than the other

Let us know if you find the culprit.

 

[user 8909]

• "one of the calipers grabbing harder on one side than the other"

Thats another one I thought might be a guilty party, mainly because I'm a hard front braker. I intend to inspect and bleed fresh fluid in tomorrow after I re-mount the wheel.

Years ago my brother went on a trip out west and I remember him talking about strong winds on those long straight road and mentioning how the tirse wore more on one side.

 

[RossKean]

Uneven caliper grab won't do a thing. Does a rear tire (one rotor) wear out faster on one side? What about a bike with only one front rotor? Gen II bikes have twice as much stopping power (for front brake) on the left compared to the right. The wheel is close enough to perfectly rigid that where the frictional forces are applied will not cause asymmetric wear.

 

[Chiefblueman]

• "one of the calipers grabbing harder on one side than the other"

Thats another one I thought might be a guilty party, mainly because I'm a hard front braker. I intend to inspect and bleed fresh fluid in tomorrow after I re-mount the wheel.

Years ago my brother went on a trip out west and I remember him talking about strong winds on those long straight road and mentioning how the tirse wore more on one side.

I seriously doubt this could be the problem. Having owned a few bikes with a single front disc brake I can attest that there is no pull or weird tire wear from using the brake.

Ross you out typed me!

 

[user 8909]

makes sense.

 

[Dale2010]

Uneven caliper grab won't do a thing. Does a rear tire (one rotor) wear out faster on one side? What about a bike with only one front rotor? Gen II bikes have twice as much stopping power (for front brake) on the left compared to the right. The wheel is close enough to perfectly rigid that where the frictional forces are applied will not cause asymmetric wear.

Yeah, you are probably right.

Years ago I drove a Honda CB750 with only one front rotor and I don't recall uneven tire wear, although it was a long time ago and the tires were much different.

I know that many of the recent vintage MCs have only a single rotor on the rear but I wonder if there may be a difference from the front to rear. Also, I'm wondering about a dragging disk brake on one side (of the front) versus simply applying the brakes on a single rotor system.

Again, just spewing out some ideas for thought...