MISSISSAUGA, ON (Aug. 22, 2008) – Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) today announced it will be initiating a voluntary recall campaign on behalf of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan (BSJ) to replace approximately 246 specialty motorcycle tires. There have been no structural or performance safety issues with these tires. BFCA has determined that the tires may be missing various sidewall marking (labeling) requirements.

Specifically, certain bias Bridgestone brand motorcycle and motor scooter tires that were manufactured in Japan only, fail to conform to Transport Canada’s Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations (MVTSR) Section 10 - Tires for Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars. The maximum load rating, corresponding inflation pressure markings, the ‘tube type’ markings, and stamping indicating the ply cord material and number of plies are missing from the sidewall. These tires were sold in the replacement market through motorcycle shops and were not original equipment tires. The subject tires were manufactured for sale in the Japanese and European Markets and meet JATMA and ETRTO standards. System enhancements have been taken to assure that these tires will not be exported to Canada in the future.

Customers who have been identified as potential purchasers of the affected tires will be issued a letter stating that the owner should check all tires fitting the above description to confirm they are the affected tires. Dealer locations will replace the subject tires with new tires at no charge to the customer.

The customer should then visit their motorcycle dealer for replacement

Motorcycle dealer locations will administer tire replacement at no charge to the customer until November 30, 2008.  At that time this program ends.

Web site:  For information about how to identify and replace the tires covered by this campaign please go to: http://www.motorcycle-karttires.com/index.aspx

About Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc.:
Mississauga, Ontario-based Bridgestone Firestone Canada Inc. (BFCA) is an affiliate of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT). BFCA and Nashville, Tenn.-based BFNT are subsidiaries of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFCA and BFNT develop, manufacture and market Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires. They are focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off the road, agricultural and other tires to their customers in Canada and the United States, respectively.