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Captain Reports July 6th
August Newsletter 2008
This was my first time being the captain and leader of the Sunday rider. It was great. It delivered on all
three types of rides (city, canyon and coast). The weather and the view were perfect. The canyon
(Rancho Cal road/ De Luz Rd.: the view was great, nice clear blue sky. For some of us that love the
winey roads and low traffic. The city ride (Melrose dr): was a little on the stop and go with a few to
many lights and stops signs. On the bright side we all practice riding TOGETHER as a pack. The coast
(N. Coast hwy 101/ S. Pacific st): I personally loved it. Blue waters with a nice breeze, got to love it
Southern California.
BY Alfred Delgado
three types of rides (city, canyon and coast). The weather and the view were perfect. The canyon
(Rancho Cal road/ De Luz Rd.: the view was great, nice clear blue sky. For some of us that love the
winey roads and low traffic. The city ride (Melrose dr): was a little on the stop and go with a few to
many lights and stops signs. On the bright side we all practice riding TOGETHER as a pack. The coast
(N. Coast hwy 101/ S. Pacific st): I personally loved it. Blue waters with a nice breeze, got to love it
Southern California.
BY Alfred Delgado
Excessive Tire Wear
Excessive Tire Wear
A List of Cause By: James R. Davis
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Excessive tire wear, and/or cupping, is a problem that most motorcyclists experience over time. Too
often this is simply the result of failing to maintain proper tire pressure. However, this is far from a
complete answer.
Cupping is a phenomena that is absolutely normal! Excessive cupping or excessive wear on one side of
the tire as compared to the other is not.
There are at least seven causes of cupping and/or uneven wear in the front tire other than tire air pressure:
Most roads are banked away from the center. Thus, if you ride vertical, the side of your tire closest to the
center of the road wears more.
Your tires 'scuff' when you force a speed change with them. The rear tire scuffs when you accelerate and
when you brake (and every time you ride in a direction other than straight ahead.) Thus, it tends to have
even 'cupping' as compared to the front tire (which scuffs when you brake but not when you accelerate.)
While alignment is not usually a problem with motorcycles - it can be.
Carrying an unevenly divided load (all your tools, jumper cable, etc.) in one saddlebag can result in your
riding the bike other than vertical most of the time.
Setting your TRAC (anti-dive) unequally can easily cause uneven tire wear.
If one of your front shocks is defective you will experience uneven tire wear.
Excessive use of the front brake will result in excessive cupping.
A List of Cause By: James R. Davis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excessive tire wear, and/or cupping, is a problem that most motorcyclists experience over time. Too
often this is simply the result of failing to maintain proper tire pressure. However, this is far from a
complete answer.
Cupping is a phenomena that is absolutely normal! Excessive cupping or excessive wear on one side of
the tire as compared to the other is not.
There are at least seven causes of cupping and/or uneven wear in the front tire other than tire air pressure:
Most roads are banked away from the center. Thus, if you ride vertical, the side of your tire closest to the
center of the road wears more.
Your tires 'scuff' when you force a speed change with them. The rear tire scuffs when you accelerate and
when you brake (and every time you ride in a direction other than straight ahead.) Thus, it tends to have
even 'cupping' as compared to the front tire (which scuffs when you brake but not when you accelerate.)
While alignment is not usually a problem with motorcycles - it can be.
Carrying an unevenly divided load (all your tools, jumper cable, etc.) in one saddlebag can result in your
riding the bike other than vertical most of the time.
Setting your TRAC (anti-dive) unequally can easily cause uneven tire wear.
If one of your front shocks is defective you will experience uneven tire wear.
Excessive use of the front brake will result in excessive cupping.