Don,
I just removed my 5 mich x's, one was no inner tube model, that was a
surprise, to restore the steel rims. But I also noticed the cracking on
the inside of the tires as I removed them.
I just watched a segment on ABC news about old tires, and a guy in a
classic LBC had a blowout and nearly killed his wife with the car
flipping over. He said he babied these tires with no dry rot, but they
still exploded. The big reason for this is age, the tires will break
down no matter what, so shelf life should be no more than 6 yrs, and
because the tire manufactures are so powerful, Congress can not pass an
expiration date bill for tires.
In other words, don't trust the old ones, and if you're doing a frame
off, do the tires as well. Besides, the car will look like new with new
rubber, just make sure the manufacture date is stated when you buy them.
That's what I decided, and since I'm into my 6 for 10K now, whats
another 600 bucks for safety.
Gene Hart
1973 Triumph TR6 CF10918U and soon to be O, thanks J. Esposito
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-triumphs@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-triumphs@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Don Malling
Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2003 4:10 PM
To: 6-Pack; triumphs@autox.team.net
Subject: Coker Classic Red Lines vs Michelin X Red Line (Coker)
Seems I read on the list that Coker manufactures the Michelin X Red Line
that they sell? Is that true, or are they really manufactured by
Michelin?
I assume the Coker Classic Red lines are manufactured by Coker, but if
the Michelin X Red Lines are also manufactured by Coker, is there a
quality difference between the two? There is a price difference although
not a great one if you buy five. For the Michelins you get 5 for the
price of 4... $170 each ($680.00) vs $112 each for the Coker Classic Red
Lines $560 for 5.
I suppose I will call Coker Monday, but they are closed now.
Is there any other source for Michelin X Red Lines? My Body shop is into
Street Rods and 50's cars and he says Coker is getting a bad reputation
for having quality problems. He has some Coker 50's white walls that are
cracking.
I bought a set of 4 Michelin X Red Lines in the early 80's. I doubt they
have 1000 miles on them. They have seen almost no UV, and looked
perfect, but now that they are off the car, I noticed some fine cracking
near the bead on the INSIDE of the tires, and then some larger cracks in
the bottom of the treads -- on both outside rows. Not sure what to
think. I had thought that the UV exposure was the problem, but there was
no UV exposure where these are cracked.
Don Malling
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