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Hmmm....I guess some milk have a date a couple weeks from when you buy it, others 2 months and yet others are 5 months. My nose usually tells me if it's still good.
Here's what the guys from Bridgestone says about tires...
"When Should Your Tires Retire?
No matter how new your tire is, Bridgestone recommends checking inflation pressure every month and scheduling regular inspections with a pro. After five years, an inspection is essential to determine if a tire is still road-worthy.
We recommend tires that were manufactured 10 years prior (or longer) be taken out of service and replaced with new tires. Same goes for the spare. If its 10 years old, it needs to be replaced, even if it appears new.
Its important to note that the age of a tire is not the only indicator of whether it needs to be replaced. Many tires will need to be replaced before 10 years of age due to routine tread wear and other conditions such as punctures, impact damage, improper inflation, overloading and more. If a tire is worn out or otherwise unserviceable from damage or conditions of use, it should be replaced regardless of when it was produced or purchased."
I can tell you from experience that I have had tires fail from nothing other than age far before the 10 year mark and they gave no notice that they were going to come apart. I sure as hell wouldn't take such a risk on a vehicle with only two wheels.
Last year I purchased a motorcycle that had a front tire on it that was 9 years old. It was hard as a rock and I could feel it skid every time I leaned the bike. It had plenty of tread, was properly inflated, and did not have any obvious damage from weather.
The number of reliable sources that recommend that a tire be replaced before six years of service are considerable and undeniable:
Last year I purchased a motorcycle that had a front tire on it that was 9 years old. It was hard as a rock and I could feel it skid every time I leaned the bike. It had plenty of tread, was properly inflated, and did not have any obvious damage from weather.
You are taking your life into your hands riding any motorcycle with tires that old. You should NOT have ridden that motorcycle anywhere and gotten those tires replaced immediately.
Bringing it home back in the fall. It was an 80 mile ride. 2 miles into it I realized that I was going to be buying some shocks. The pic I posted earlier in the thread shows me on an XLCR Sportster while wearing a black long sleeve T with an orange banner on the sleeve. 45 years later here I am on a Sportster while wearing a black long sleeve T with an orange banner on the sleeve. Synchronicity?
Those 48s are good looking machines. I can see why they are popular with Sportster guys. All business, no fluff.
It fits you good, Smitty. Best of luck with the new ride!
Edit: I put some 12.5" 412s on the Seventy-Two and really like the way they ride.
Good choice. Its butt will be up a little but the longer travel is worth it.
Hi Smitty68,
I've had two Forty-eights both post 2016 models. On one of mine I did just what you're doing to your bike, adding risers to the handlebars and 12.5" Progressive shocks. Well done. In addition to those mods, I'd recommend a better seat than the stock one. Harley's own seat after 2016 is a remarkably decent seat and a significant improvement over earlier years' stock seats. Like you, I've had many rides over the years. The Forty-eights remain one of my favorites. I've got a 2017 which I've kept mostly stock in the stable now and I quite happily plan to keep it.
RevTom,
The weather cleared up enough yesterday for me to take the 48 out for a bit--first time since installing the bar risers. 2" doesn't sound like much. But that little rise greatly improves the ergonomics of the bike and also provides a bit of leverage which makes counter-steering inputs much lighter. Decent shocks and a bit of lift to the handlebars greatly improves the overall riding characteristics of a 48. As mentioned, I rode it 80 miles to get it home the day I bought it and that was about all I wanted with the stock shocks and the bar position. With the 412s and the 2" risers I'm quite sure I can stay on the road a lot longer before I start feeling the need to take a break.
As for the seat, the previous owner fitted the bike with a HD badlander seat. It's not great. But it's decent enough for now.
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