Pinched inner tube
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 175
Likes: 12
I called Dunlop directly , the maker of the Harley inner tubes, they were professional they said they would look into it. I am just glad it was not worse ,I was riding on steel before I was able to pull over on the side of the road.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
I wouldn't jump on Dunlop so quickly...
H.D.'s rims are notorious for rusting... and right around the tire valve is a prime spot. The rust creates spikes that will cut a tube. You have to take all of the rust and burrs off of the rim before installing a new tube and I'm willing to bet that dealers don't take the time to do that.
I eventually bought a new rim from Drag Specialties because I like the profile better and it is easier to change the tire than with H.D.'s square channel design (which does look better, however). I got s.s. spokes and then I sealed the nipples on the inside with silicone. Next tire, the rim still looked like new. Unfortunately, if you have to re-true a rim you have to reseal the nipples.
C#
H.D.'s rims are notorious for rusting... and right around the tire valve is a prime spot. The rust creates spikes that will cut a tube. You have to take all of the rust and burrs off of the rim before installing a new tube and I'm willing to bet that dealers don't take the time to do that.
I eventually bought a new rim from Drag Specialties because I like the profile better and it is easier to change the tire than with H.D.'s square channel design (which does look better, however). I got s.s. spokes and then I sealed the nipples on the inside with silicone. Next tire, the rim still looked like new. Unfortunately, if you have to re-true a rim you have to reseal the nipples.
C#
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 175
Likes: 12
I wouldn't jump on Dunlop so quickly...
H.D.'s rims are notorious for rusting... and right around the tire valve is a prime spot. The rust creates spikes that will cut a tube. You have to take all of the rust and burrs off of the rim before installing a new tube and I'm willing to bet that dealers don't take the time to do that.
I eventually bought a new rim from Drag Specialties because I like the profile better and it is easier to change the tire than with H.D.'s square channel design (which does look better, however). I got s.s. spokes and then I sealed the nipples on the inside with silicone. Next tire, the rim still looked like new. Unfortunately, if you have to re-true a rim you have to reseal the nipples.
C#
H.D.'s rims are notorious for rusting... and right around the tire valve is a prime spot. The rust creates spikes that will cut a tube. You have to take all of the rust and burrs off of the rim before installing a new tube and I'm willing to bet that dealers don't take the time to do that.
I eventually bought a new rim from Drag Specialties because I like the profile better and it is easier to change the tire than with H.D.'s square channel design (which does look better, however). I got s.s. spokes and then I sealed the nipples on the inside with silicone. Next tire, the rim still looked like new. Unfortunately, if you have to re-true a rim you have to reseal the nipples.
C#
Last edited by Softail HA; Aug 20, 2013 at 06:57 PM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 175
Likes: 12
Just received a call back from an engineer at Dunlop, very nice fellow, he says the only way this could have happened to two tubes is they have used to much lubrication when they mounted the tire, the tire is shifting, and pulling on the tube as it goes. This does make sense since the reinforcement around the valve stem looks like it is trying to be pulled out. He told me to chalk the tire and rim keep an eye for movement.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 47
From: Lake Tahoe California
"Pinched tubes" are caused by only two things: installation error and massive under-inflation.
The rim liner should always be replaced when the new tube is replaced (usually when the tire is replaced). The rim liner protects the tube from contacting the inner part of the spoke nipples, so they do not contact the tube. The innertube is an old, tried and true technology. Hard to mess it up unless the installer is careless.
If there is a tube defect, well, it happens. rare, but it does happen. The tube valve is fastened to the rim, so I am at a loss to understand how an inflated tube with 35-40 lbs of pressure inside a rubber tire shifts so much as to rip out the valve can be torn from the tube, regardless of the "lubrication" used (which is soapy water - that evaporates).
But if it has happened twice to you, I suspect the problem is the installer.
Ride safe!
The rim liner should always be replaced when the new tube is replaced (usually when the tire is replaced). The rim liner protects the tube from contacting the inner part of the spoke nipples, so they do not contact the tube. The innertube is an old, tried and true technology. Hard to mess it up unless the installer is careless.
If there is a tube defect, well, it happens. rare, but it does happen. The tube valve is fastened to the rim, so I am at a loss to understand how an inflated tube with 35-40 lbs of pressure inside a rubber tire shifts so much as to rip out the valve can be torn from the tube, regardless of the "lubrication" used (which is soapy water - that evaporates).
But if it has happened twice to you, I suspect the problem is the installer.
Ride safe!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 175
Likes: 12
Dunlop offered me a new tire credit which I am happy with , I still want a proper response from the local Harley Dealer, as to how this happened , but as usual they say it is not there fault, although it only happened after they installed the new tire.
Sprung Dave what could they have used that could have allowed the tire to shift, I believe they told me they use( Baby powder)
Sprung Dave what could they have used that could have allowed the tire to shift, I believe they told me they use( Baby powder)
Last edited by Softail HA; Aug 22, 2013 at 11:07 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 3
From: Montclair, CA.
Dunlop offered me a new tire credit which I am happy with , I still want a proper response from the local Harley Dealer, as to how this happened , but as usual they say it is not there fault, although it only happened after they installed the new tire.
Sprung Dave what could they have used that could have allowed the tire to shift, I believe they told me they use( Baby powder)
Sprung Dave what could they have used that could have allowed the tire to shift, I believe they told me they use( Baby powder)
Also, to much baby powder can act as a lubricant around the edge of the wheel that the tire contacts letting it slip even at the proper inflation pressure.
The baby powder is used on the tube only not the wheel assy.
Soapy water is the proper lubricant to mount the tire to the wheel as it evaporates after awhile.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
After reading this, I agree with what Ur answer from LOP was. Usually a pinched tube will not hold air for long before going down. Urs lasted several weeks.
Maybe the dealer is using some kind of lube instead of soapy water to install and its letting Ur tires slip as they (LOP's) said.
I'd check to see how the dealer installed them.
.
Maybe the dealer is using some kind of lube instead of soapy water to install and its letting Ur tires slip as they (LOP's) said.
I'd check to see how the dealer installed them.
.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 26
From: Florida
Guess I sortta got lucky with my incident. The first and only front tire chage I have done on my Crossbones resulted in an unexplained flat front about a week later. I was able to ride it home, stopping at the dealership that replaced the tire on the way to have it checked. They aired it up and said it was holding, however I barley managed to pull into my garage before it all went completely flat. I removed the front wheel and took it to the dealer on the way to work the next day. They had the tech check it out and I was told that the tube had been pinched during installation. The replaced it and set everything right without any charge and even offered me a $10 voucher as an apology.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
Worrying me now. I have a road trip coming up, just installed a new tube in the bike today, but I did it myself and made extra sure not to pinch it. I always use a lot of baby powder on the tube when mounting it, and lube up the edge of the tire to help seat the bead.
Haven't ever had a pinched tube, but makes me think.
Haven't ever had a pinched tube, but makes me think.