Center groove on front tire.

hey all. Getting ready to buy new tires and leaning towards the bt45 but was wondering, if there aren't any rain grooves around here, is it beneficial to buy a tire with the center groove?

 

I believe the purpose of the center groove is to channel water so the tire stays in contact with the road. Using a tire with a center groove seems to be a personal preference. I've used Bridgestone Spitfires for 6 or 7 years and haven't had a problem with wandering on rain grooves. But like you, we don't have many sections of pavement with rain grooves.

 

I've always thought that the center groove of the front tire helps keeping the bike more stable at hiways speeds, it sort of follows the line.

 

The purpose of ANY of the grooves is to channel water. However, the center groove can often be a problem groove because it causes undo tracking.

Personally, I stay away from tires have a center groove. That way there isn't any tracking that I can feel. About the only time I ride center-groove tires, is: when they come in on a bike that I pick up, and the rubber and tread is too good to throw away. Then, I'll either ride it til it's worn out, or swap out to a different rim that has a tire I DO like on it.

YMMV,

Dave F

 

Yep, the guys here steered me away from the center groove. I purchased the Kenda Cruiser, but was told to switch to the Challengers because the cruiser had a center groove in the front tire. I took their advice and changed my order

 

Alright, guess its better safe than sorry. I like the look of the bt45 anyway. Thanks guys. On a side note, I think I'm gonna just replace my rear brake shoes when I have the wheels off, delaminated or not, but I cant seem to find a "how to" thread on here. Anyone know of one?

 

Still waiting for an answer on that one myself Dave.

The shop is putting on my tires (no garage) but I plan on removing that back tire next week sometime and checking out that delamination thing I've been hearing so much about. Hopefully both of our brakes look good back there!

 

Agreed. I just figured I would replace them while I had the rims off the bike for the tires. I did find this video where shoes were replaced on a xs650 on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eA85nyjdeU8

SEEMS pretty simple.

 

Changing the shoes on my XS650 a few years ago was one of the easiest jobs I've done myself on a bike. There is no reason it would be a lot more difficult on an XJ.

 

Changing the shoes is SIMPLE...

look at how the two center springs are hooked. Look at the top pivot, and look at the bottom spreader. That's all you need to see. They only fit on one way. Here's why to look at those three things:

1. Center springs......just so you know where they get hooked.
2. top pivot - there is a groove the seat the shoes on. Grease the pivot
3. spreader - grease it. I pull the lever off and grease the shaft, too

Now here's the next SIMPLE step...

Grab hold of them, close them together like closing a book, lift off.

Now here's the last SIMPLE step...

Put the new shoes on in reverse order..... hook up the springs before installing. Hold the shoes like a closed book with just enough outward tension to not drop the springs. press down and open as you snap them into place on the pivot and spreader.

You're done.

It's literally a one minute job if you already have the rim off to replace the tire.................

DAve F

 

Well dammit. The shop is doing the tires for me as I have no way to stand the bike without the wheels mounted. I could pay the extremely inflated price on shoes and have them do it. I'll have to see when I get there if they have shoes that will fit...

 

You're only going to take them the wheels and tires, right?

The brake shoes are mounted on the backing plate. That stays home with you; so you can clean it up and install new shoes on it.

 

Fitz, no I have to ride the bike to them. I have no way to stand the bike without tires. I have an outdoor parking space in an apartment complex so even if I found a way, I'm pretty sure they'd bitch about my bike being in pieces out there....

I called the shop, no shoes in stock and they can't get them in by tomorrow. Anyone know of a local spot I can grab brake shoes at? Advance doesnt have them and autozone website doesnt support motorcycles. They said they'd only charge me 20 bucks to put em on if the wheel is already off.

 

Really? You put the bike on the centerstand, with a jackstand supporting the frame cross-brace, placed between pipes 2 and 3.

As far as finding shoes, the only thing you could possibly do would be to find a long-time Yamaha shop.

 

Fitz, no jack stand. My place has no storage and my parking is outdoors, I'm VERY limited

I'll get to it eventually, I'll have to just order pads I guess. Should I just grab some from Len?

 

I'd do it for you, for half that cost. Heck I'd do it for you, just to talk to someone and get a bottled beverage out of it. You CAN do it yourself. Brakes are fairly simple, like Dave described

 

That'd where I'm getting mine on payday.