Flipin Tires?

[norcalzx10r]

Like to get another TD at T-Hill out of my Michelin Pwr Race but the rear LHS is a bit shagged. The front looks good. Can I flip the rear on the Michelin?

[Rummo-YZF]

Buy a new rear cheap-o. Jk. Too bad it weren't a slick, then you could do it for sure. I have no idea about street tires

[norcalzx10r]

:teeth yeah.. I know.. Got a new set comming for AFM, but I'm itching to do PTT on the 16th.

[Yody]

Not that this helps, but I have been told you can. You should contact Alex, the AFM Michelin guy.

[joe]

You can flip DOT's, but I'll tell you the same thing Alex tells me, and Dave (the michelin man for Texas) tells me: "DON'T FLIP YOUR TIRES!". I'm not sure if I 100% agree with that, but... When you were a tire down you're losing rubber and squaring it off. When you then flip it you're probably putting it to the side that doesn't get used as much (seems like common sense). The issue with that is the side with less rubber doesn't heat up as much and doesn't get as hot (less rubber to heat up) and then ON TOP OF THAT, you're using it less, heating it less and probably asking nearly as much out of it (if not more since you expect it's getting less use).

Long story short, unless you're flipping early and often, like some guys do at WSMC, it's probably too late. Next time flip the sucker mid day and try to roll that way (although at some point you'll smoke one side no matter).

Hope that helps.

[norcalzx10r]

Long story short, unless you're flipping early and often, like some guys do at WSMC, it's probably too late. Next time flip the sucker mid day and try to roll that way (although at some point you'll smoke one side no matter).

Hope that helps. [/B][/QUOTE]

Thanx, Joe. I kind of thought that. They do have 2 weekends use. Fresh tires = peace of mind

[kyles here]

Originally posted by norcalzx7r
:teeth yeah.. I know.. Got a new set comming for AFM, but I'm itching to do PTT on the 16th.
do eet! ill have my lap timer this week and hopefully my chain/sprocket conversion too:cool

[afmotorsports]

It's probably ok to flip tires if you're racing an oval like the NASCRAP races... but since we ride on real racetracks with left AND right hand turns, I would strongly advise against EVER flipping tires. Those of you that know me can tell the rest that I'm always telling people NOT to buy new tires when they don't need them, so believe me this is not some self-serving bs to sell more tires and waste your money. I'm quite "frugal" with my own racetires (I only practice on take-offs), but if you ever want to take a closer look at a tire cross-section (we cut a brand new tire and you can see how deep the tread goes) you will definitely think twice about riding on a tire where one side is worn out. It's one thing to be frugal, but I'm telling you that flipping tires is not a very smart thing to do once you toasted one side of the tire.

If the tire is not really bad, just keep running it in the normal direction. One of the top racers in the AFM is known for bringing me Power Races that are so used up, the outside tread is almost completely gone! Arguably you're not learning much, getting frustrated with your laptimes and probably wasting a bunch of money on the trackday, hotel, transportation etc. if you run around on a totally wasted tire...

[norcalzx10r]

Thanks, Alex.

[ColinP]

Whats up Tony - I got the same tires in Medium compound and I chewed up the left side of the rear pretty good at T-hill after 2 days. I think you saw it when you helped me load the bike. Anyway I flipped the rear and ran it again on Saturday and it worked well. I just made sure to get a full lap in before I got on it. However towards the end of the day the looks of the tire was messing with my head so I called it quits.

[ColinP]

Originally posted by afmotorsports
...but if you ever want to take a closer look at a tire cross-section (we cut a brand new tire and you can see how deep the tread goes) you will definitely think twice about riding on a tire where one side is worn out.

How far can you go on the Power Race? Do you go until the wear bars are flush or until they're gone? I quit when I was past the wear bars, and the outermost grooves were about 3/4 their original length.

[norcalzx10r]

Originally posted by ColinP
Whats up Tony - I got the same tires in Medium compound and I chewed up the left side of the rear pretty good at T-hill after 2 days. I think you saw it when you helped me load the bike. Anyway I flipped the rear and ran it again on Saturday and it worked well. I just made sure to get a full lap in before I got on it. However towards the end of the day the looks of the tire was messing with my head so I called it quits.

I hear you. At the end of the day you have to listen to that little voice. The best thing to do is make sure your suspension is dialed in and tire Px is correct for that track and the days weather condition. I'm probably being over peranoid, the tire only has 1 and half days and it's not as shagged as some other Mich. I've seen with less time. I usualy check the Px before and after a session.(anal):teeth