[mdr231]

So... I got as much riding in as possible this "winter" in New York and finally decided to move my T-100 off the streets and into a garage about 45 miles away. Stopped at a rest area and found a screw in my front tire. Had another 15 miles to go so I pulled it out to see if there was air leaking. It was about 1/2 inch or so (maybe less) and I felt no air. Poured some water over the hole and saw no bubbles. I arrived safely and it's been about 4 hours with no loss of PSI yet. So... what should I do? Replace tire and/or tube anyway? OK to just let it be?

I did discover a helpful trick today- it was about 32 degrees out and I wore latex gloves (the kind doctors wear) under my regular winter gloves. Made a big difference.

Thanks!
Michael

[ This message was edited by: mdr231 on 2007-01-18 15:51 ]

 

[AVMECH]

Use soapy water to check for a leak. If there isen't one, your tube wich is inside a belted tire will be fine. I would look into the hole, mabey GENTLY (did I say GENTLY?) pry it open to see how deep it goes. If you see split or frayed cord inside, you might want to replace it. Otherwise, I would ride it. I have picked up 2 screws so far, neither of wich penetrated the cord and the only leak is my crummy valve stem in the rear. I swear, that thing can't tighten enough. Lose about 2psi a week through it.

 

[whoa]

Yah, if it gets to your tube you should know it within 24 hrs.

AVMECH, your concerned about 2psi a week? I didn't know any tubes held better than that. I check mine at least every other day.

 

[CAPTDON]

No leak - you should be fine!! I wasn't so lucky. Picked up a 3" drywall screw! If it aint leakin now - it aint gonna! Flats are a real bummer. $12 for the tube $100+ for the tow! I now got roadside ($8) w/ progressive. If i new so cheap woulda got it 1st!

 

[mdr231]

Thanks for the advice. So far, pressure is still holding. I guess that's it. I also have Progressive and added roadside last week after reading a post on this board. Thought I might need it today. Was a rough day... also dropped the bike when stopped after my foot slipped in the snow (yes, snow storm for last 15 minutes of ride even though not a flake was predicted. Doesn't look like any damage was done, though, but still a bummer).

Michael

 

[RedBird]

AVMECH & whoa,

Tubes should not leak at all. The problem is with the Schrader valve cores--they do not seal properly against the inside of the tube stem. Get a hand full of new valve cores from a tire shop and try them until you find a couple that don't leak. If you are not successful with this, take the best two and put a little silicone sealant on the sealing surface of the valve core--not the part that is spring-loaded for letting air in and out of the tube, but the colored sealing rubber around the outside of the valve core....Good luck.

I check my tire pressure every month or so unless there are big temperature changes. :-D

I have no idea why the valve cores fit looser in the tube stems than they do in the tubless stems, but they do and this is what is causing the air leak...tightening the valve core tighter does no good either.

Larry

 

[rodburner]

Larry,1 of the tires on my car is a slow leaker too.It took 4 valves to stop it. On the flip side,the Bonnie`s new shoe`s are within 2# of the original mounting pressure after 5000+miles/10 months. :-D

 

[whoa]

On 2007-01-18 20:02, RedBird wrote:
take the best two and put a little silicone sealant on the sealing surface of the valve core

Outstanding! Thanks

 

[hkt100]

does anyone keep some of that aerosol stuff you can spray into a tube when you have a blow out? does it work?
this has been one of my major concerns and i had thought of switching to spokeless wheels as it is pretty easy to "band aid" a tubeless here as the kits are small and only cost a few bucks.

 

[mdr231]

Anyone know of any tubeless alternatives that preserve the spoked wheel look? I'd also be more comfortable with a tubeless tire since they can be patched while mounted.

thanks,
Michael

 

[grayghost]

Years ago I came back to where my bike was parked and my rear tire was flat. There were two nails in the back tire. (Spoked wheels with tubes) Leaving the bike there was not an option.

I had a can of aerosol puncture sealer and pumped up the tire - it worked just fine. Rock hard. I managed to ride slowly about 20 miles home.

Just to see how well the product worked, when it was back in my garage I took a pair of pliers and pulled out the two nails and the tire held air for two days! I of course installed a new tube. The stuff works.

 

[RedBird]

That's not fair, Steve! You're running tubless tires on black beauty with those fancy mag wheels. :-D :-D I really liked the 2-->1 high pipe setup--might try a shorter muffler if-n it were mine...probably cost a little less than a set of Zards. :-D

Larry

 

[AVMECH]

RedBird, thanks for the silicone tip. I've already tried a few different valve cores and they haven't helped, I went with the one that leaks the least. But I will try the silicone. It's strange, my front is fine, only the rear that leaks. I was thinking mabey not enought threads in the shrader to seat the core correctly?