Close call

[parttimepilot]

Having reclaimed my Bird from my dad last weekend, I've been out getting re-acquainted a fair bit this week. So earlier this evening I though I'd have a quick blat before dinner.

Nice dry and warm run. After about 20 miles I was riding through a 40mph section about 15-20m behind a car. An ambulance came towards us a a fair rate, passing a car so the car ahead of me did a "fuck me, I'm stopping" maneuver. I brake fairly firmly, 2 finger on the lever job, and the front tyre let go pitching the bike to its left side. Quick release of the lever and reapplied, it broke away again, tipping to the right. I really thought I was off at this point with a fleeting thought that at least there's an ambulance on hand. Released and reapplied again, thinking the car was getting very close. This time pitching the bike to the left again and launching my left foot off the peg. Stopped just close enough for the car driver to give me a not too impressed look in his mirror, followed by a waft of melting rubber.

Road was dry and no noticeable shite on the surface, I rode on towards home. Pulled over en-route to have a look at the tyre and there's a couple of patches where the surface has meted where it slid.

I had checked the tyre pressure a couple of days ago so fairly sure that's not the issue. Thought is it just me , not having ridden the Bird for 5 or so years and being spoilt on bikes with traction control and ABS.... I had thought the front felt a bit vague on quicker corners over the past week but, again, out that down to not having ridden it for a while

Then I had a thought. Checked the date code on the sidewall. looks like it was manufactured week 36 of 2012 . I'm thinking the surface has started to deteriorate and harden, reducing grip.

Time for a new set of tyres ( and a new pair of pants)

 

[Malone]

I once had a brand new, in date, Shinko which is a road legal drag race tyre although only advisable up to 165mph, and we believe the rubber hadn’t cured properly. No matter what I did it would spin and not grip. Your tyre has clearly hardened enough to be dangerous.

 

[Squag1]

Lucky escape.

I came up to a roundabout behind another car, no traffic, they decide to stop, just in case. WTF.

I just wish I had my James Bond rocket launching car.

Long while back the Bird's battery was down so I decided to give it a push, I lived on a rise. It fired instantly, as I was hopping on I suddenly remembered the top box!!!!!! I'd have love to see a video.
It went all over the road with me struggling with it. Didn't drop it though.
Don't know how I managed to get up on it.

 

[derek kelly]

Lucky escape.

I came up to a roundabout behind another car, no traffic, they decide to stop, just in case. WTF.

I just wish I had my James Bond rocket launching car.

Long while back the Bird's battery was down so I decided to give it a push, I lived on a rise. It fired instantly, as I was hopping on I suddenly remembered the top box!!!!!! I'd have love to see a video.
It went all over the road with me struggling with it. Didn't drop it though.
Don't know how I managed to get up on it.

Do you have this on video?

 

[Pow-Lo]

Having reclaimed my Bird from my dad last weekend, I've been out getting re-acquainted a fair bit this week. So earlier this evening I though I'd have a quick blat before dinner.

Nice dry and warm run. After about 20 miles I was riding through a 40mph section about 15-20m behind a car. An ambulance came towards us a a fair rate, passing a car so the car ahead of me did a "fuck me, I'm stopping" maneuver. I brake fairly firmly, 2 finger on the lever job, and the front tyre let go pitching the bike to its left side. Quick release of the lever and reapplied, it broke away again, tipping to the right. I really thought I was off at this point with a fleeting thought that at least there's an ambulance on hand. Released and reapplied again, thinking the car was getting very close. This time pitching the bike to the left again and launching my left foot off the peg. Stopped just close enough for the car driver to give me a not too impressed look in his mirror, followed by a waft of melting rubber.

Road was dry and no noticeable shite on the surface, I rode on towards home. Pulled over en-route to have a look at the tyre and there's a couple of patches where the surface has meted where it slid.

I had checked the tyre pressure a couple of days ago so fairly sure that's not the issue. Thought is it just me , not having ridden the Bird for 5 or so years and being spoilt on bikes with traction control and ABS.... I had thought the front felt a bit vague on quicker corners over the past week but, again, out that down to not having ridden it for a while

Then I had a thought. Checked the date code on the sidewall. looks like it was manufactured week 36 of 2012 . I'm thinking the surface has started to deteriorate and harden, reducing grip.

Time for a new set of tyres ( and a new pair of pants)

I’m extremely grateful to Me! for giving me a heads up on this a couple of days ago. Tyres in question were week 34 of 2013

 

[Squag1]

Do you have this on video?

No!
Just saying I would have liked to have seen it on video

 

[derek kelly]

Glad you escaped unscathed Neil.

 

[Jaws]

Having reclaimed my Bird from my dad last weekend, I've been out getting re-acquainted a fair bit this week. So earlier this evening I though I'd have a quick blat before dinner.

Nice dry and warm run. After about 20 miles I was riding through a 40mph section about 15-20m behind a car. An ambulance came towards us a a fair rate, passing a car so the car ahead of me did a "fuck me, I'm stopping" maneuver. I brake fairly firmly, 2 finger on the lever job, and the front tyre let go pitching the bike to its left side. Quick release of the lever and reapplied, it broke away again, tipping to the right. I really thought I was off at this point with a fleeting thought that at least there's an ambulance on hand. Released and reapplied again, thinking the car was getting very close. This time pitching the bike to the left again and launching my left foot off the peg. Stopped just close enough for the car driver to give me a not too impressed look in his mirror, followed by a waft of melting rubber.

Road was dry and no noticeable shite on the surface, I rode on towards home. Pulled over en-route to have a look at the tyre and there's a couple of patches where the surface has meted where it slid.

I had checked the tyre pressure a couple of days ago so fairly sure that's not the issue. Thought is it just me , not having ridden the Bird for 5 or so years and being spoilt on bikes with traction control and ABS.... I had thought the front felt a bit vague on quicker corners over the past week but, again, out that down to not having ridden it for a while

Then I had a thought. Checked the date code on the sidewall. looks like it was manufactured week 36 of 2012 . I'm thinking the surface has started to deteriorate and harden, reducing grip.

Time for a new set of tyres ( and a new pair of pants)

Well done for holding it together Neil..
Not sure if it is already in or to be law soon, but 10 year old tyres will ( or are ) becoming illegal, so pretty close to the limit no matter what ..
Go give the old man a light slap for not riding it regular for you !