Flat Tire...
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 1
From: Magnolia, Texas
Flat Tire...
Went for a ride yesterday and somewhere along the way I picked up a nail in my rear tire. I didn't notice this until I came home and let the bike cool down before I rolled it into the garage.
I have the laced wheels so I believe I have a tube in it. Does the tube have to be replaced or can the tube be patched ??.
Is this something that I can do or is it better to take to a tire shop ??
Thanks,
Ray
I have the laced wheels so I believe I have a tube in it. Does the tube have to be replaced or can the tube be patched ??.
Is this something that I can do or is it better to take to a tire shop ??
Thanks,
Ray
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Bothell, WA
RE: Flat Tire...
Tube can be patched or replaced. I personally consider patching an emergency repair, but have seen tube patches, if done properly, out last a tire. If you have a lift that can get the rear tire off the ground, you can do it yourself. Do not take it to a tire shop unless they have experience doing motorcycles (most don't). Your local HD dealer or indy (independent) shop would be your best bet for a repair. Don't be suprised, depending on the condition of the tire, if they recommend replacement of the tire. The labor cost of removal, balance, and install can justify tire replacement while the wheel is off the bike.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 1
From: Magnolia, Texas
RE: Flat Tire...
ORIGINAL: Geoseismic
Tube can be patched or replaced. I personally consider patching an emergency repair, but have seen tube patches, if done properly, out last a tire. If you have a lift that can get the rear tire off the ground, you can do it yourself. Do not take it to a tire shop unless they have experience doing motorcycles (most don't). Your local HD dealer or indy (independent) shop would be your best bet for a repair. Don't be suprised, depending on the condition of the tire, if they recommend replacement of the tire. The labor cost of removal, balance, and install can justify tire replacement while the wheel is off the bike.
Tube can be patched or replaced. I personally consider patching an emergency repair, but have seen tube patches, if done properly, out last a tire. If you have a lift that can get the rear tire off the ground, you can do it yourself. Do not take it to a tire shop unless they have experience doing motorcycles (most don't). Your local HD dealer or indy (independent) shop would be your best bet for a repair. Don't be suprised, depending on the condition of the tire, if they recommend replacement of the tire. The labor cost of removal, balance, and install can justify tire replacement while the wheel is off the bike.
Do I basically work one side of the rubber off the rim just like you would do on a bicycle ?? A couple screwdrivers prying along until one side of the rubber is completely off. I then replace the tube with a new one, Is this correct ???
ray
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Bothell, WA
RE: Flat Tire...
It is really no different than doing a bicycle tire, only bigger and heavier. I would not use a screwdriver as you may damage the tire or rim. Purchase a pair of aluminium tire irons. They are not expensive and reduce the risk of damaging the tire and the rim. You'll only need to get the tire half way off the rim, work the old tube out, inspect the rubber spoke cover inside the rim (covering the spokes), new tube vavle stem through opening in rim, work new tube into tire (sometimes a little air helps at this point), pry tire back onto rim, inflate and check for leaks (soapy water works well), then reinstall rear wheel and adjust rear belt tension.
I can not over emphesize the importance of using the right tools when removing the tire from rim! It's less critical with a tube tire over a tubeless, but equally important. Remember, your tires are what's between you and the road and are the most critical safety equipment on your motorcycle. I would personally leave this job to the professionals.
I can not over emphesize the importance of using the right tools when removing the tire from rim! It's less critical with a tube tire over a tubeless, but equally important. Remember, your tires are what's between you and the road and are the most critical safety equipment on your motorcycle. I would personally leave this job to the professionals.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 1
From: Magnolia, Texas
RE: Flat Tire...
ORIGINAL: Geoseismic
It is really no different than doing a bicycle tire, only bigger and heavier. I would not use a screwdriver as you may damage the tire or rim. Purchase a pair of aluminium tire irons. They are not expensive and reduce the risk of damaging the tire and the rim. You'll only need to get the tire half way off the rim, work the old tube out, inspect the rubber spoke cover inside the rim (covering the spokes), new tube vavle stem through opening in rim, work new tube into tire (sometimes a little air helps at this point), pry tire back onto rim, inflate and check for leaks (soapy water works well), then reinstall rear wheel and adjust rear belt tension.
I can not over emphesize the importance of using the right tools when removing the tire from rim! It's less critical with a tube tire over a tubeless, but equally important. Remember, your tires are what's between you and the road and are the most critical safety equipment on your motorcycle. I would personally leave this job to the professionals.
It is really no different than doing a bicycle tire, only bigger and heavier. I would not use a screwdriver as you may damage the tire or rim. Purchase a pair of aluminium tire irons. They are not expensive and reduce the risk of damaging the tire and the rim. You'll only need to get the tire half way off the rim, work the old tube out, inspect the rubber spoke cover inside the rim (covering the spokes), new tube vavle stem through opening in rim, work new tube into tire (sometimes a little air helps at this point), pry tire back onto rim, inflate and check for leaks (soapy water works well), then reinstall rear wheel and adjust rear belt tension.
I can not over emphesize the importance of using the right tools when removing the tire from rim! It's less critical with a tube tire over a tubeless, but equally important. Remember, your tires are what's between you and the road and are the most critical safety equipment on your motorcycle. I would personally leave this job to the professionals.
I hear you loud and clear regarding the safety aspect. I always attempt to try to do things myself if I have the right tools and the know how. I will probably just take the tire down to the bike shop and have them take care of it.
I appreciate your and others help on this.
Ray
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 688
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From:
RE: Flat Tire...
Ray, I just replaced the rear tire and tube on my sons Dyna. I used 2 "C" clamps and 4 small scrap pieces of 2x4 to break the bead. I had 2 big tire spoons that I wrapped with duct tape to keep from scratching the chrome rim. I fought with that sucker for an hour both removing and installing the tire and tube. It was like trying to stretch a misquitos a$$ over a rain barrel. In the end I got everything on and no leaks. I still had to take it to HD to have it balanced. I saved my son a few bucks by doing it but was it worth the time and energy I spent. I only did it to see if I could do it. The next time it goes to the dealer.......................BG
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 1
From: Magnolia, Texas
RE: Flat Tire...
ORIGINAL: BigGeorge
Ray, I just replaced the rear tire and tube on my sons Dyna. I used 2 "C" clamps and 4 small scrap pieces of 2x4 to break the bead. I had 2 big tire spoons that I wrapped with duct tape to keep from scratching the chrome rim. I fought with that sucker for an hour both removing and installing the tire and tube. It was like trying to stretch a misquitos a$$ over a rain barrel. In the end I got everything on and no leaks. I still had to take it to HD to have it balanced. I saved my son a few bucks by doing it but was it worth the time and energy I spent. I only did it to see if I could do it. The next time it goes to the dealer.......................BG
Ray, I just replaced the rear tire and tube on my sons Dyna. I used 2 "C" clamps and 4 small scrap pieces of 2x4 to break the bead. I had 2 big tire spoons that I wrapped with duct tape to keep from scratching the chrome rim. I fought with that sucker for an hour both removing and installing the tire and tube. It was like trying to stretch a misquitos a$$ over a rain barrel. In the end I got everything on and no leaks. I still had to take it to HD to have it balanced. I saved my son a few bucks by doing it but was it worth the time and energy I spent. I only did it to see if I could do it. The next time it goes to the dealer.......................BG
Thanks for the input !! Knowing me, if it starts to give me a hard time, something is going to be slung across the workshop
.Ray
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,281
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From:
RE: Flat Tire...
Ray
Just a small point that most would consider overkill, but I would also patch the inside of the tire too. Keeps anything from entering through the hole however small it may be. Just my .02
Just a small point that most would consider overkill, but I would also patch the inside of the tire too. Keeps anything from entering through the hole however small it may be. Just my .02
Administrator Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,704
Likes: 252
From: Walker Basin, CA
RE: Flat Tire...
The right tools and the time make all the difference in the world.
I do not trust anyone else to do the quality of work on my Road King I do.
I have the equipment to remove the wheels, break down the tire, remove the tire, patch the hole in the tire, reinstall the tire and inflate it, balance the wheel, reinstall the wheel, torque the axle nut to the factory specified torque. Did I leave anything out?
If you don't have the right tools and the time, pay someone who does. Don't take a chance on ruining a tire or wheel to save a few bucks labor.
My closest tire shop is an hour and a half drive, each way. I have the equipment to do my own work because I don't want to let someone else work on my ride. Oh yes, I was an auto mechanic before I became a fireman so working on the bike doesn't bother me.
I do not trust anyone else to do the quality of work on my Road King I do.
I have the equipment to remove the wheels, break down the tire, remove the tire, patch the hole in the tire, reinstall the tire and inflate it, balance the wheel, reinstall the wheel, torque the axle nut to the factory specified torque. Did I leave anything out?
If you don't have the right tools and the time, pay someone who does. Don't take a chance on ruining a tire or wheel to save a few bucks labor.
My closest tire shop is an hour and a half drive, each way. I have the equipment to do my own work because I don't want to let someone else work on my ride. Oh yes, I was an auto mechanic before I became a fireman so working on the bike doesn't bother me.