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Front Tire Mounted Wrong Direction

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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 10:51 AM
  #1  
Rock Chalk's Avatar
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Default Front Tire Mounted Wrong Direction

Bought a set of tires from J&P while in Sturgis this year and had them mounted up there. Shame on me, but didn't realize the front was mounted the wrong direction until 1/2 way home. Been dealing with trying to get a refund/fix/etc and today I called an indy here that told me the tire needs to be replaced. Can't just change to to be correct as it will "come apart on you".

While I've been working for a refund, the guy that mounted it has always just said it can be remounted properly so I haven't been fighting for a new tire. Now it seems I should be asking for that as part of my refund.

Any ideas on remounting a tire that has been ran the wrong direction? Been about 900 miles.

09 street glide
avon cobra
stock size
Thanks,
sv
 
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 10:55 AM
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Had something similar happen from them where I didn't specify that it was for a front tire application and they sent me a rear. I couldn't get them to do anything but tell me I should have specified front or rear for all they knew It was rear tires for two diff bikes.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 10:55 AM
  #3  
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Is it a radial tire? Radials are only meant to be spun in one direction. If they are reversed, there is the possibility of them coming apart. I would not chance it, not with a front tire especially.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 11:07 AM
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fwb35
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Would not even think about it, would replace it with or without a refund, they will probably say you accepted it and drove it like that and should have checked it before riding it. Do you really want to risk something like that? Replace it and chalk it up to a lesson learned.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 11:08 AM
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I find it difficult to believe that turning it around will give any problems. Sounds more like internet folklore than science! Phone or email the manufacturer of that tyre and get it from the horses mouth. That way you will get a definitive answer. And let us all know what they say!
 
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 11:09 AM
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I wouldn't risk turning it around. They put directional arrows on them for a reason.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 11:10 AM
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 11:20 AM
  #8  
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Have J&P pay for the cost of new tire mounted & balanced at your place of choice. If they don't want to pay for it take them to small claims court but have who ever does the work document it with pic's.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 11:31 AM
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Why would turning it around cause it to fail? This does not sound right? please explain the logic to this?

Usually, directionality is just a tread pattern thing. I dont see that it would break any of the bonding or bands internally.
I understand that in making tires that the bands are bonded in a certain direction. rear band is angled for excelleration. Front band is angled for hard braking. but running backwards would not cause these to break unless you hit pot hole hard etc.
most i would see that would happen would be the tread will not perform as intended and may not stick to the road as well especially in the rain.

the tire will also wear out prematurely

I would get with the manufacturer and get it in writing, then get with company that mounted it backwards.
 
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Old Aug 20, 2012 | 11:41 AM
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Are you looking at the tread or the front fitment directional arrow to determine if its mounted wrong ?
 
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