Classic Cycle -April 2009

MONTHLY FEATURES Casey's father Corky joined his dad in 1974 and was also an avid vintage car and motorcycle collector. Naturally, he continued to expand Coker Tire in the direction of vintage vehicles. Casey said the mission to reproduce vintage tires has resulted in her dad traveling worldwide in search of old tire molds. Trips to South America, the Philippines, and Australia have paid off in original old tire molds that allow Coker to perfectly produce many vintage tires that are identical to original equipment. However, Coker uses modern engineering and rubber compounds that are far better than the originals ever were and now keeps an extensive and ever expanding stock of different tire molds for a mind-stretching number of makes and tires. BIKER OF THE MONTH The Coker Tire museum contains so many vintage motorcycles they are displayed on a wall stacked three motorcycles high. The Process "The best way to make the correct tire is to locate the original mold," Casey explained, saying that can involve a lot of work as some older molds are "humongous metal drums" that take four grown men to lift. It is these molds that form the tire and the little nubs that stick out of them when new. What's the deal with the little pieces of rubber? Simple, Casey said those little tire protrusions are necessary and made when the mold vents trapped air. Some rubber naturally follows the air in the venting process and results in those little nubs we've always wondered about. "When I was a kid, I thought these were there just fun to pick at," Casey joked. Some original tires are extremely rare, but that's just another challenge Coker Tire overcomes. To provide a specific example, Casey said Coker recently reproduced tires for a GMC Futurliner, a huge bus General 36 April 2009 | WALNECK’S CLASSIC CYCLE TRADER® Motors built under the direction of Harely Earl. Only 12 were made and used by the company to tour the U.S. under the promotion, "Parade of Progress." The bus featured a retractable stage and a dual wheel front axle. As for tires, Casey said the job required making twelve 1000 X 20 tires with 5 1/4 inch whitewalls. While only three Futurliners are know to have survived in original trim, Coker jumped at the opportunity to help out. The message, Casey said, is although it may cost a bit for some tires, nothing in the vintage tire world is impossible for Coker Tire to reproduce. The Futureliner project required Coker Tire to recreate the original mold, something the company has done before and continues to do. As a result, exact copies of the original US Royal brand proudly roll on a vital piece of restored automotive history. Speaking of automotive history, Casey said her father recently finished renovating one of their buildings into a museum filled with antique cars and motorcycles. Casey explained the exact plans for the museum are still being developed, but readers don't have to wait to see some of the many treasures assembled. Just get on line and go to www.cokertire.com. Click on the virtual I WALNECKS.COM http://www.cokertire.com http://www.WALNECKS.COM

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Classic Cycle - April 2009 Contents American The Buzz w/Buzz Walneck Motorcycle Tips w/Mike Brown Harley-Davidson FXRP Police Bike Biker of the Month 1986 Harley-Davidson FXRS Low Rider 1968 Harley-Davidson FLH Rocky Mountain Concours d'Elegance 2008 Mid America Chris “ Wild Man “ Callen Bench Racing w/Mark Zimmerman Events Listings & Advertisements British European Japanese Competition Motorbikes & Scooters Memorbilia Antique Cycle Clubs Parts, Accessories, Want Ads How to Place a Word Ad How to Place a Photo Ad Area Code Directory How to Subscribe Let Us Help with Your Event

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