Tire Damage Question
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,957
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Originally Posted by sixgun95
How do you make sure the core is tight?
Tire valve tool. Get 'em at your auto parts store.
I had a slow leak once and put the tire under water. Just jack up the bike and dunk the lower part of the tire in a large pale of water. I found a small bubble forming on the tire about every 5 seconds.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Prior Lake, MN
I would think you'd see bubbles around the base of the stem. Try wiggling it a bit.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,189
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From: USA
Soapy water is dandy, but you dont want it applied as a foam. That just hides what youre trying to see. You want it deflated, so any bubbles or foaming is immediately visible.
Check a loose stem by moving it with that flat soapy water around the base. If moving the stem produces bubbles, replace the stem.
As for sitting on a flat tire damaging the tire, it shouldnt. Let it sit that way for a year or two, cracking the sidewalk, sure, thats damage. But just a month or so on a new tire, you should be just fine. That said, use your eyes and pay attention as you ride off.
Check a loose stem by moving it with that flat soapy water around the base. If moving the stem produces bubbles, replace the stem.
As for sitting on a flat tire damaging the tire, it shouldnt. Let it sit that way for a year or two, cracking the sidewalk, sure, thats damage. But just a month or so on a new tire, you should be just fine. That said, use your eyes and pay attention as you ride off.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 449
Likes: 29
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Found the problem, 3 separate leaks all along the bead. Tires are right at 1 year old and have 1300 mi on Michelin Commanders. How in the hell does that happen? I would of thought from a crappy install but it literally just started. Any ideas how you would instantly get 3 leaks along the bead? Will I need a new tire?
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Joined: May 2008
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Found the problem, 3 separate leaks all along the bead. Tires are right at 1 year old and have 1300 mi on Michelin Commanders. How in the hell does that happen? I would of thought from a crappy install but it literally just started. Any ideas how you would instantly get 3 leaks along the bead? Will I need a new tire?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: England
What is the condition of the rim? The fitter may not of given it a good clean and so the bead didn't seal. Might not of used plenty of lubricant to get the tyre to move on the rim. Might just be a simple job of breaking the bead and resetting it. Or more thorough by taking the tyre off and giving the rim a good clean. Check the tyre for damage.
Check the side wall of the tyre for any small cracks.
Check the side wall of the tyre for any small cracks.
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