Flat tire... Do I need to take it to a shop?
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Socal
Flat tire... Do I need to take it to a shop?
Hey guys, newb needing some help here. I found my bike (48) in the garage with a flat front tire this morning. I am little irked since Ive only had the bike for couple months. I was wondering if this is something I could fix or do I need to get the bike to the shop. I took a quick look and I didnt find anything stuck in the tire. Is it wise to use can of fix a flat? After work I will pump the tire up to see how long it will hold air. Any suggestion is welcome.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 4
From: Upstate NY
You have only two tires on a bike. If something goes wrong while riding it, you have a potential deadly situation on your hands. I would at least take the wheel of and bring it in some place to get it checked out. Sorry about your luck.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Glasgow
I would pump it up and take it to a shop to get it checked out. last thing you want is a flat and not be close to anything.
Also i would be keeping a close eye on it and drive nice and slow. if it gets flat stop and pump it back up or you could be look at a new one.
Also i would be keeping a close eye on it and drive nice and slow. if it gets flat stop and pump it back up or you could be look at a new one.
Last edited by mackan1; May 16, 2012 at 11:23 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
I would get some fix a flat spray, air up the tire. and ride to a shop and have them check it out if you are uncomfortable with taking it apart yourself. only take it easy on the road, fix a flat is not designed to be a go all out fix, just a temporary "take it easy" and get to a shop fix.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
I've tried it a few times, and every single time it's a huge pain in the ***. Sportbike and dirtbike tires are easy, but these cruiser tires are not worth the trouble. I find I save money by paying someone else $20 to do it and I can get back to working.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
I do NOT recommend Fix-A-Flat for anything other than an emergency. That stuff makes a god awful mess inside the tire/wheel and will likely cost you more money in labor for cleaning out that crap when you take the wheel in to get it fixed. If you have spoked (wire) wheels, then you have a tube and Fix A Flat isn't likely to fix that anyway, it's made for tubeless tires.
Get a air pump or compressor and refill the tire, and then see if you can find the cause.
If you want something to use inside the tire that helps prevent flats on tubeless tires, get some "Ride On".
Get a air pump or compressor and refill the tire, and then see if you can find the cause.
If you want something to use inside the tire that helps prevent flats on tubeless tires, get some "Ride On".
Last edited by cHarley; May 16, 2012 at 11:24 AM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Shore, MD
Fill the tire. Take a spray bottle with soapy water in it. I use dish liquid.
Take the cap off the valve stem. Spray it. When you spray the leaky spot it will make bubbles. Work your way around the whole tire. I just found a screw in my rear tire with the head worn off this way. It was a very slow leak so the bubbles were tiny. Look closely.
Take the cap off the valve stem. Spray it. When you spray the leaky spot it will make bubbles. Work your way around the whole tire. I just found a screw in my rear tire with the head worn off this way. It was a very slow leak so the bubbles were tiny. Look closely.
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Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Socal
It never occur to me these things had inner tubes. Thats why I am a newb. I may have to invest in some equipment in the future. The wheels need not be rebalanced? Its been very, very rare occurance to have a flat in my car so I assumed motorcycle tires were just as robust. I am now thinking of getting extra set of wheels.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
It never occur to me these things had inner tubes. Thats why I am a newb. I may have to invest in some equipment in the future. The wheels need not be rebalanced? Its been very, very rare occurance to have a flat in my car so I assumed motorcycle tires were just as robust. I am now thinking of getting extra set of wheels.
But, a nail/screw in your tire is a bigger problem if you have wire spoked wheels because you have to remove the tube and patch or replace it. With tubeless tires on cast wheels, you can plug the tire on the bike, air it back up, and be on your way.