Of course *everyone* knows you have to use HD approved soap for it to be an approved HD leak test with no tire warranty implications.
What would YOU do?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,598
Likes: 1,231
From: Southeast Texas
Dishwashing liquid works good.Put some water in a cup or bowl & mix with dishwashing liquid.Take an old paint brush & swab it all around your tire.If it's leaking anywhere you'll start seeing bubbles growing.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 50
Likes: 1
From: Punta Gorda, FL & Atlanta, GA
Another Option
Just to give you another possible issue. My Ultra (with Limited chrome front wheel) kept losing air. Turns out the chrome on the INSIDE was flaking and not allowing the tire to seal properly. It took me forever to find the slow leak, had to replace the wheel and now, all is good.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I knew a guy who was fed up with the odd angle of the valve stem so he put on chrome angle tips which sounded like genius to him.......until after a few thousand miles becuz of the rotation of the wheel and the weight of the metal stem causing the rubber valve stem it was attached to break the seal loose leaving him stranded by the side of the road.. moral to the story......dont extend rubber valve stems with metal stems unless you have AAA or a buddy to help you out and will laugh at you with comments like hummm if you had a Harley that wouldnt have happened LOL.
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
The reason I asked is there are some that are better than others. My dad had some stuff used by the power company special to find the smallest of gas leaks...it would bubble no matter how slight the leak.
Btw I got up this am and she was empty again.
I'm going to store for a new valve Thimbu that screws into the stem and a big tin to fill with water to lower the wheel into to try and figure this out.
I have laced wheels so I guess a spoke could have damaged the tube in there.....
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
I knew a guy who was fed up with the odd angle of the valve stem so he put on chrome angle tips which sounded like genius to him.......until after a few thousand miles becuz of the rotation of the wheel and the weight of the metal stem causing the rubber valve stem it was attached to break the seal loose leaving him stranded by the side of the road.. moral to the story......dont extend rubber valve stems with metal stems unless you have AAA or a buddy to help you out and will laugh at you with comments like hummm if you had a Harley that wouldnt have happened LOL.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
William I sprayed the valve stem with spray 9 and immediately saw air leaking out from under the jam nut that locks the stem in place. I have a tube so it's leaking inside the tire and pissing out the stem neck not the stem valve.
Thanks for the suggestion and I'll post back after I get the wheel back to let ya all know what caused the tube to go bad. Thanks again everyone for all your input.
Thanks for the suggestion and I'll post back after I get the wheel back to let ya all know what caused the tube to go bad. Thanks again everyone for all your input.
