I'm no tire expert, but why do I have a feeling this won't end well?

 

Wow,, I can't imagine how tight some people can be... does your BUTT SQUEEK WHEN YOU WALK?
I value my life, and my family too much to try and get another 1500 miles out of a tire,,

 

Tread depth is usually referred to in 32nds of an inch, so it is common to see 2/32" or 2½/32".

 

I haven't heard of "regrooving" a tire, but I've seen people round a tire by removing rubber from the edges of the tread using a grater. You jack the bike up, crank it, put it in gear, and grind off rubber along the edges of the tread to make it rounder. That gives you better handling for the miles left in the tire.

I don't know about Metzeler or E3's, but if you'll slice a D402 you'll be amazed at how much rubber thickness remains after the tread is gone. I did this once and didn't measure, but I can envision doing some minor "regrooving" without any safety concerns. That said, I wouldn't do it, but I like the grater idea.

 

 

Some folks shouldn't own motorcycles.

 

Once I get down to the bare metal threads showing, I weld spare nuts to them at 2 inch intervals all the way around the tire to rebuild grip.

Sure it's a little bumpy and loud, but I'm able to save a couple of so it makes sense to me.

 

I have seen it done on race cars that are just as dangerous as a MC. Not saying I wouldn't do it, but I have never even thought about it on a MC. Save them wherever you can!

 

if you have cracks in the sidewall, just rub some shoe polish on it.... It works, I saw it in a movie

 

Most of the time grooving done on dirt racing tires is on a brand new tire. It gives the tires more edges resulting in more grip in the dirt. We also "sipe" tires which is cutting razor like vertical slices in the tread blocks of the tire. These slices make the tire heat up quicker for better traction faster. You can also take the grooving iron and cut small dips out of the center of the tread blocks to help keep the tire from blistering.

"Worlds Fastest Indian" Great flick!