Motorcycle rubber products problems
Like many, I'm extremely disappointed with the quality of rubber components supplied to our interest. From inner tubes - some with well known names on them - that are clearly porous and deflate, to handlebar grips that crack and break up in a couple of years, fork gaiters that last at best two to three years before cracking, the list goes on and on.
I am intrigued as to why this situation has been allowed to develop. I have rubber components in my possession which are old and show no signs of deterioration and wheels with Dunlop Airseal tubes which lose no more than a pound or two over the winter lay-off. I have Dunlop beaded edge tyres which are 40 years old and crack free, while some made in the last 10 years are cracked and crazed.
I am not alone with my thoughts on this issue and would be very interested in your opinion as to why we have to accept these poor quality products.
Really, Peter, I have no idea why we have to, or even do, accept what you and I consider substandard rubber moulded goods. I guess part of the problem is that some of what we are buying today is moulded in synthetic materials, which has little or no rubber content, but this is no excuse. I've had mixed experiences in that some goods have been fine and lasted years and much more, including a pair of 26 x 2in Ensign beaded edge tyres fitted to my 1919 Royal Ruby, which were fitted in 2004 and, other than slightly worn due to mileage covered, still look factory fresh.
At the other extreme, a set of 26 x 3in beaded edge tyres made in Japan and sourced outside the UK because none were then available through usual British sources (back in stock now) looked fine when fitted to my son Peter's 842cc V-twin LMC in readiness for inspection and successfully securing an age related registration number. As the process was completed late autumn, the machine was stored over the winter with tyre pressures checked every six weeks. When liberated in the spring, the tyres were heavily cracked, so much so we didn't even chance a run down our close.
There seems absolutely no rhyme nor reason as to what's going on and, likewise, relative costs of goods seem to make no difference simply some are substandard and others are fine. And as you imply, Peter, tubes which go flat in a month or two should be unacceptable.
In the past, I've taken up these issues with makers/factors whose products are known to be subject to these problems, and have come away smarting, as exampled by the importer of one well known and respected brand who informed me: "Good quality tubes will be slightly porous and should be no problem to us because we will check tyres pressures weekly."
And cracking can be expected as tyre compounds used today provide far more grip, and they recommend changing sports tyres every three years, while classic tyres may have a life of five to 10 years, but they recommended a maximum tyre life of.five years. One can only ask: 'Why?' Comments invited.