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Old 03-16-2009, 05:06 PM
apfelbaum apfelbaum is online now
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
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I know on cars and karts which I used to race, xylene was a popular restorer for old tires. Don't know about brake fluid. However, once soaked, the tires wore faster, didn't have as much grip and were only usefull for 10 to 15 laps (okay for learning the track). Personally, I wouldn't try any of this on a bike. The results were not always the same (depending on the brand/compound of tire), and tire life in general was significantly shorter, and outside of practice, highly illegal in racing.

If he is intent on doing this, use a professional product made for this purpose, make sure it is done properly, too much coverage and not enough in others will create slippery hard spots and grippy soft spots (can you say instant highside). Plus the tire will have to be wrapped completely with no air allowed inside of the treatment area. Once done the tire will degrade even faster once exposed to air. Xylene is extremely toxic too(wear a respirator if you go this route).

Personally, I wouldn't even do this. He may have better luck just riding the thing and building heat back into the tire. It's one thing to do on four tires it's a whole new gamble on two. Not worth the risk, unless of course you are the beneficiary on his life insurance.
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