AKA tire foams
 

I have been using AKA tires/foams since they first came out and have been very pleased with there performance. Recently I wore out a set I have been using since Feb 09, raced them a few times, then they were used for practice , then finally street bashing/testing tires. I finally dismounted them and the foams still looked great. AKA is selling the tires without the foams so I guess you could save some money and reuse your foams.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...3/02230007.jpg
AKA foams after 3 months of use.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...3/DSC04605.jpg
Pro-Line foams after 3 months of use.

Looking good, as if they were never used.

What method did you use to get them separated from the rim and tires as they look new? Also, did you punch holes in the tires to keep them so clean?

Scott

i have been re-using the AKA foams in all different brands of tires. i have used one set in 4 sets of buggy tires now
they turn prolines into a whole new tire

Both sets, no holes in the tires, three small (1/8) holes in the rims. I did find some sand and small pebbles inside the AKA tire after I took them apart. nothing but pieces of foam inside the Pro-line tires.

How exactly did you go about dismounting them ?

how do they feel different in pro-line tires? i've never tried that.

I soak my tires in a bucket of acetone overnite and they peel right off. It didn't seem to effect the Aka foams but some other brands it wrecks them.

Rex

Just cut the old tire open, no need to soak anything. The foams actually have a better profile on the second/third set of tires.

I used a mini lathe to get the tires off. I made a adapter out of some aluminum scrap, used an old hub and mounted it on the end of the rod. Mount the wheel, chuck it in the lathe and use a cutting bit to trim off the tire and clean off the glue from the rim. Depending on the wheel you can sometimes save the rims for reuse. But as mentioned above a pair of scissors probably would work just as well to get the foams out. I was actually trying to save the AKA rims and noticed the foams were in great shape.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...3/DSC05910.jpg
17mm and 12mm adapters.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...3/DSC05906.jpg

Please don't compare Pro-line's open cell 1/10th scale buggy foams to AKA's 1/8th buggy foams, it isn't fair, apple to oranges, etc... Pro-line doesn't use open cell foam in their 1/8th buggy tires.
I'm not saying that Pro-line foams are perfect, but please don't try and imply that Pro-line foams wear out in that manner. I actually agree that AKA foams last an absurdly long time. I just want to make sure people don't get the wrong idea in this thread.

No proline foam's just tear in the middle and bunch up on one side....Proline's Used to use open cell foam's but since those GOD Awful grey molded foams have been around ive avoided proline tires like the plague...those are by far the worst insert ever made...and what's this "world champion insert" that's commin with the new calibers ? any one got a set to inform us what they are ? they dont look like the grey foams....

I mounted a set of calibers for my friend last weekend, the foams didn't look all that different, but they felt a little more like JConcepts molded foam to me, they worked on the track though, he did very well on them, they looked very stable

Im still worries they re badged the older foams with "world champion foam insert" label and didn't change shit....but they do have those new blue foams comin out some time i would assume.

I'm really not sure, it had been at least a year since I had mounted any pro-line tires, but they seemed a little lighter in color and a little more rubbery if that makes sense, I guess we will have to wait and see if my buddy destroys them or not:confused:

i might just order a set to see exactly what foams are in them...if there the same old ill toss some JC or AKA's to try out.