Gtpulse
Dyna-Tech Fan
Before I get in to this I’ll make clear this is 100% for garage queen purposes and not with any intention of ever riding the tyres!
I’ve got a pair of early 1980s IRC Racer X-1 which have great treads but the sidewalls have almost completely crumbled away to the threads with ageing. I could just throw them away but they are super rare, you don’t really see any for sale and once they’re gone that’s it. They are the original tyres from my Araya Muddy Fox which currently has Racer X Pro which aren’t quite the same. Everything seems to be intact no broken threads just the rubber (if that’s what it is) has crumbled and left the sidewalls.
I’ve had a search on here and found lots about cleaning/rejuvenating but nothing about replacing the rubber/gum whatever it is. Most enquiries seem to start with people lambasting the OP for a dangerous idea - again this is not for riding on just to preserve something. The only info or examples of someone attempting this are on BMX museum. I thought I may find more info/attempts on BMX forums as these type of tyres are already much older than most MTB tyres so may have already tried something but not much showed up other than others also trying to find a way to do it.
Has anyone tried this/got any information or tips? I figure I can have a go but want to try and gather information before I do so. In the link below they use liquid rubber sealant https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flex-Liquid-Large-Ounce-Black/dp/B01KYDOHB0
https://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=749198&p=1
Bonus on page 4 of the link is a very early GT Timberline which is the subject the OP tries this method on.
My tyres -
I’ve got a pair of early 1980s IRC Racer X-1 which have great treads but the sidewalls have almost completely crumbled away to the threads with ageing. I could just throw them away but they are super rare, you don’t really see any for sale and once they’re gone that’s it. They are the original tyres from my Araya Muddy Fox which currently has Racer X Pro which aren’t quite the same. Everything seems to be intact no broken threads just the rubber (if that’s what it is) has crumbled and left the sidewalls.
I’ve had a search on here and found lots about cleaning/rejuvenating but nothing about replacing the rubber/gum whatever it is. Most enquiries seem to start with people lambasting the OP for a dangerous idea - again this is not for riding on just to preserve something. The only info or examples of someone attempting this are on BMX museum. I thought I may find more info/attempts on BMX forums as these type of tyres are already much older than most MTB tyres so may have already tried something but not much showed up other than others also trying to find a way to do it.
Has anyone tried this/got any information or tips? I figure I can have a go but want to try and gather information before I do so. In the link below they use liquid rubber sealant https://www.amazon.co.uk/Flex-Liquid-Large-Ounce-Black/dp/B01KYDOHB0
https://bmxmuseum.com/forums/viewtopic.php?id=749198&p=1
Bonus on page 4 of the link is a very early GT Timberline which is the subject the OP tries this method on.
My tyres -
.don't forget fluorescent lighting is not friendly on tan/gum/skinwall tyres either!
