Sharpening tyres

[motor_mayhem]

I have read some stuff that says it can be done.

1. Does it work?

2. Pros/Cons?

3.Any prefered methods/tools?

[gwigs]

I,ve heard of regrooving tyres but never sharpening tyres....:scratch::scratch:

[laserracer]

Theres a product on the market called the ..knobbie knife ..that re slices the knobs on your tyres so they are sharp again...really its just a soldering iron with a blade on the end..i have a mate that uses a angle grinder to do the same job

[bogan]

I,ve heard of regrooving tyres but never sharpening tyres....:scratch::scratch:

I assume he's meaning for knobbly tyres, heard of it being done too but with tyre soo much cheaper than my road tyres I'd just buy new ones, or possibly flip the spin direction to present the less worn edge to traction, though that depends on how it has worn. As for tools, i think you'd want a heated knife or something similar.

[2fitty]

angle grinder, nice, will have to keep that in mind

[CookMySock]

In theory, you should be able to cut an angle on the back of the knob to sharpen it, like a drill bit. We used to do that with excavator teeth and it worked really well (we hardened the front face though.)

You will physically remove a lot of rubber though, and that means shorter tire life, but if you need the traction then you do.

Do it. Use the angle grinder with a grinding disc, or a cutting disc or flapdisk for less "bite".

Steve

[K6K]

I have a knobby knife to sharpen tyres, it is pretty quick and easy (about 15min). This time of year with the hard pack I don't do it often as it only takes a short time for it to be rounded off again. Depending on how quickly it is being rounded off using it only takes a millimeter or so off the front face so it doesn't really compromise the knobs at all.

[motor_mayhem]

I,ve heard of regrooving tyres but never sharpening tyres....:scratch::scratch:

You haven't heard of knobbly tyres? you have road fever perhaps?


Theres a product on the market called the ..knobbie knife ..that re slices the knobs on your tyres so they are sharp again...really its just a soldering iron with a blade on the end..i have a mate that uses a angle grinder to do the same job

I've gone with this plan. I don't recommend doing the cutting wearing shorts, you end up getting burnt from the rubber shavings


I assume he's meaning for knobbly tyres, heard of it being done too but with tyre soo much cheaper than my road tyres I'd just buy new ones, or possibly flip the spin direction to present the less worn edge to traction, though that depends on how it has worn. As for tools, i think you'd want a heated knife or something similar.

I got a couple of partially used sets given to me (that are better than the ones currently on it) so I figured I could try using the grinder once on the one on the wheel as I probably can't make it worse. I would not flip them as I would ten have much more trouble braking

[FROSTY]

Where did you get the grooving knife from?

[Ride it till the red]

I generally find that it's more of a pain in the arse than it's worth. Makes a bloody mess (if done with grinder) and doesn't really make a huge difference.
Once you've worn the knobs round you've also worn them down in height so max grip won't be attained again anyway.

Mind you I could just be sour because between monday and tuesday arvo's I now have 9 different spots of canvas showing, knobs have just torn straight off right to the canvas. Not ideal at all!

[TarshKTM125]

Knobby Knife available from Customlight Engneering http://www.customlight.co.nz/products/knobby-knife/knobby-knife/ for more info. Tested in latest mag by DRD.

[Pornstar]

Knobby Knife available from Customlight Engneering http://www.customlight.co.nz/products/knobby-knife/knobby-knife/ for more info. Tested in latest mag by DRD.

So there, now stop it.

[F5 Dave]

Used to use angle grinder, but the best is. . . and this is where we have to be more careful than a Somalian water taxi driver;
a Skilsaw. Use a clamp to hold back the safety guard (ok this is sounding more dodgy every moment) being careful to be holding it outstretched so if you dropped it it would not fall on you. Wear mask & earmuffs.

& then wipe it over the leading edges screaming "Eat Spinning steel Space Wankers"

[scott411]

we have done it over the years when the racing budget was getting a bit thin, and doen alright on them as well, the angle grinder is the fastest, but messist way, a sharp knife will do it as well, but use boiling water to heat it a bit, and the knife as in teh drd are the best way,

[krad_nz]

Wonder how hard it would be to get an old soldering iron and attach a blade to it.

[2fitty]

tried that yesterday, shapened an old screw driver up on the bench grinder and stone, perfect size for soldering iron,
worked mint, but its just having the patience to do they whole tyre.

[civil]

I imported one of these knoby knikes before they were available here. Just great. With 3 bikes (mine and 2 kids), tyres were getting expensive. The knife is wide enough to do a kobble and 15min tops with no niose, smoke, or mess (grinder) I have a 'new' sharp tyre. This is a great way to get 4-5 tyres out of one.

If you are sick of buying tyres, then get a knobbly knife !!!!!

[customlight]

Hi - you need this tool: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwdXQMG3n-4 The product is called a Knobby Knife and Customlight Engineering is the Distributor for New Zealand. Made in the USA it's a high quality product and works very well. We have sold loads of these after the write up we had in Dirt Rider Down Under. I use one on my KLX450 as it's fairly hard on tyres. I have managed to sharpen one particular Pirelli 5 times - and my technique is still getting better. This tool has a heated blade and cuts through tyres like butter. It is specifically designed for Knobbly tires. The current Special Price is $129.95 with free shipping by Courier. They are on Trade Me at a higher price. Email me jonathan@customlight.co.nz or 021 581581 if you would like one.

[Pornstar]

Used to use angle grinder, but the best is. . . and this is where we have to be more careful than a Somalian water taxi driver;
a Skilsaw. Use a clamp to hold back the safety guard (ok this is sounding more dodgy every moment) being careful to be holding it outstretched so if you dropped it it would not fall on you. Wear mask & earmuffs.

& then wipe it over the leading edges screaming "Eat Spinning steel Space Wankers"
will you start a thread on how to re attach the body parts lost during this exercise

[Factoryjohn]

Used to use angle grinder, but the best is. . . and this is where we have to be more careful than a Somalian water taxi driver;
a Skilsaw. Use a clamp to hold back the safety guard (ok this is sounding more dodgy every moment) being careful to be holding it outstretched so if you dropped it it would not fall on you. Wear mask & earmuffs.

& then wipe it over the leading edges screaming "Eat Spinning steel Space Wankers"

Respect......