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I must, I must, I will get better

Posted by 6TDen on March 7, 2025, 5:54 pm

My first ride for a very long time last Saturday proved a little testing. I lost a lot of confidence, especially on right hand bends which was worrying. Yesterday I wheeled the bike out of the garage for another check over. I don' know how it happened but somehow I had put 29 psi in the front tyre and 1 pound less in the rear. The book says 18 and 19. I had been advise with modern rubber to increase by 2-3 pounds. No wonder it was like riding a brick. That corrected (ie reduced) I thought I'd give it another go today. Off I went with more confidence. Tottering along I soon realised another big error which was I was watching the front wheel on right handers instead of looking down the road to where I wanted go. Now I was on the way. Still more to re-learn, but an enjoyable ride was had.
Den

Re: I must, I must, I will get better

Posted by Brickboy on March 7, 2025, 6:01 pm, in reply to "I must, I must, I will get better"

Sounds like progress Den. I use 28/30 in my new 'classic' tyres. Seems to go well at those pressures.

Re: I must, I must, I will get better

Posted by ChazzyB on March 7, 2025, 7:17 pm, in reply to "Re: I must, I must, I will get better"

I'd be doing similar pressures on my AJS 18S.

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Re: I must, I must, I will get better

Posted by Andy C on March 7, 2025, 6:02 pm, in reply to "I must, I must, I will get better"

Well done Den - stick at it, good to hear that you enjoyed it.

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Re: Tyres

Posted by Stuart on March 7, 2025, 7:46 pm, in reply to "I must, I must, I will get better"

Hi Den,

>enjoyable ride was had.

>29 psi in the front tyre and 1 pound less in the rear. The book says 18 and 19. I had been advise with modern rubber to increase by 2-3 pounds.

How old is bike and book, what tyres?

Re: Tyres

Posted by 6TDen on March 7, 2025, 9:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Tyres"

Hi Stuart
The bike is 6T Thunderbird. The book is the workshop Instruction Manual covering models from 1945 - 1955. I don’t think they did one for 1956 as new models were introduced for 1957. The current tyres, I shall be changing the rear very soon, are Avon front, Dunlop rear. Whether the reduction in pressure helped as much as I feel it did is open for discussion but I am satisfied today’s ride was far better than Saturday’s.

Re: Tyres

Posted by geoff the bonnie on March 7, 2025, 9:33 pm, in reply to "Re: Tyres"

Keep riding it Den. I still cannot get out due to leg problems but it should get better soon. Meanwhile, in a couple of weeks, i will have a short holiday.

Re: Tyres

Posted by Stuart on March 8, 2025, 8:56 am, in reply to "Re: Tyres"

Hi Den,

>The bike is 6T Thunderbird. The book is the workshop Instruction Manual covering models from 1945 - 1955.

>The book says 18 and 19. I had been advise with modern rubber to increase by 2-3 pounds.

Way, wa-aa-ay too low - modern tyres might <u>look</u> (a bit?) like the ones Meriden fitted seventy-odd years ago but, like other things (e.g. oil), their design, materials and construction aren't anything like they were when your "book" was written - sidewalls are much more flexible for one thing, that requires higher pressures. Whether you fit Conti radials or new Dunlop K70/Avon SM, the tyre makers still advise 28/29 psi front, 32/33 psi rear on these old heaps (I know this because I've spoken to their techies).

Also, whoever "advise with modern rubber to increase by 2-3 pounds" was talking out of an orifice other than the one in the lower half of his face; even back in the early 1970's, Triumph, Dunlop and Avon advised higher pressures than those (then 24 psi front, 25 psi rear).

>>I had put 29 psi in the front tyre and 1 pound less in the rear.
>>No wonder it was like riding a brick.
>today’s ride was far better than Saturday’s.

As I say, 29 psi in the front tyre is about right, "1 pound less in the rear" never was/is.

"better" on 18 psi front, 19 rear, something else is wrong - suspension not working correctly? If yes, road shock absorption that should be done by the suspension is being done by the under-inflated tyres.

Risking stating the obvious, under-inflated tyres are a points- and fine-gathering offence.

Maybe unlikely you'll be pulled for a "free MoT" but, involved in an accident, your insurer won't be sympathetic.

Hth.

Regards,

Re: Tyres

Posted by 6TDen on March 8, 2025, 9:32 am, in reply to "Re: Tyres"

Stuart
The advice I took was from an Avon representative on their stand at the NEC quite a few years ago. The rear tyre needs replacing, the tread is fine but the side wall is definitely doubtful. Whilst noting what you said, when I make that move I shall be sure to ask the required questions. As I said in the original post some of the problem was possibly caused by the lack of confidence on what was the first ride for many years and far improved on the second. Hopefully the rides and confidence will mill get longer and better over the next few weeks. Weather permitting.
Den
Ps. The actual pressure I used is currently at 23 front 24 rear.

Re: I must, I must, I will get better

Posted by JERRY on March 7, 2025, 10:02 pm, in reply to "I must, I must, I will get better"

Well done Den, getting there mate.

The oldest rocker in town!

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