I'll second that comment. The ZX's on my B looked to be about 20 years
old when I bought it. They still had half the tread but the sidewalls
were webbed with fine cracks. They had about as much grip as the casters
on your tool box -- the first time it sprinkled rain I got sideways
trying to start at a green light. I had a little fun powersliding on dry
pavement at 25mph before I got smart and replaced them.
I know some people have a "show" set and a "driving" set, so they don't
wear out the expensive "repro" tires (or have to drive around on
bias-plies all the time).
Chris Attias had this to say:
>Don,
>
>I guess I'd ask what you will be using the tires for. If you are
>doing a static display/concours presentation, you could probably get
>by with Armor All tire stuff for a long time. If you are really
>driving much, I would advise getting new tires!
>
>Old tires-radials in particular-develop two potentially serious
>problems. The bonding of the rubber to the belt deteriorates with
>heat cycling and aging of the rubber. Separation of the belt from
>the carcass can be a potentially lethal failure. Also, the rubber
>tread compound loses its grip as the rubber ages, particularly on wet
>pavement. I had a set of (original) 12 year old Pirelli P6 tires on
>my Alfa GTV-6 when I got it, and they had a tendency lose traction on
>damp pavement. Even on dry pavement, the grip was diminished. Same
>story on a set of Goodyear G-Metrics that came with my last MGB-GT.
>
>Tire and safety experts I have heard put the safe and useful life of
>a radial tire at 10 years--after that you really ought to think about
>replacement.
>
>--
>Chris Attias
>'64 MGB
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
|