Questions on a new to me, GL 1500.

[ginblueearth]

I recently purchased a 1998 GL1500 Interstate. The guy I bought it from did. know what he had. didn't think it ran. I brought it home check the gas in the gas tank. The gas smelled good. So I put a battery in it. Turn the choke on fall and it started right up. The only thing it would not run unless the choke was kept on fall. There was only about an 8th of a tank of gas in it. So I dumped a full can of extra strength sea foam in it. Plus, a full bottle of mechanic in a bottle. Let it run until it got good and hot. And then I took it out and road it for 20 miles. Eventually it got to the point where I could turn the choke three quarters of the way off. Took it to the local gas station and filled it up with premium unleaded gas. With no alcohol in it. And let it sit for two days. When I started it up on the second day in the afternoon, it purred like a kitten. Only needed to choke it. When I started it, it was about 45 degrees. Turn the choke off after a short time. And it idle just fine. Everything worked just fine on the bike. Cruise control radio. you name it. Works perfect. I picked up a windshield at a motorcycle salvage yard. For $50. Has the vent in it? Buffed all the scratches out of it. It's just like new. I also had to put brake pads and a caliper kit in it. And that was it. Did buff the paint out to make it looks like brand new. as 80,000 miles on it. I've since put over 600 miles on it. which has been quite a chore here in Minnesota. The weather is just turned nice in the last couple of weeks. The tires were basically unlike new condition. but then I checked the date code on the rear tire. and seen it was 18 years old. So I have a new tire in the garage that I'm going to put on this week. Now here's my question about the new tire. When I was younger, I Raced. sprint cars. And I still follow Sprintcar and Midget Racing a lot. And I know heat is a big enemy of tires. I also know heat is a big enemy of motorcycle tires. That's why you want to keep them inflated to the proper air pressure. In Sprint car and Midget Racing, you sip a tire to let the. heat out of the tire. Which in turn makes the tire last longer? What I'm wondering, has anybody ever experimented with Siping. a motorcycle tire? Putting small thin cuts across the tread. To release the heat from it. I know some places offer it for car tires. For better traction and making the tires last longer. I just want some input from people out there, if it's ever been done on motorcycle tires. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. Glen Murra

[Solo So Long]

I've never heard of anyone siping motorcycle tires. Siping car tires has mixed results.

[DenverWinger]

I used to get my car tires siped, the tire dealer said it improved traction on snow/ice. Hard to say if it actually did anything, you'd have to have another set of un-siped tires to swap to to do a good "A/B" comparison.

But since 2007 I also have a 4WD Jeep Cherokee, so I don't bother with siping anymore.