Do factory cast wheels leak air??
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 190
From: Penticton BC Canada
I bought a brand new '13 SG about a year and a half ago. Seemed like the front tire kept losing pressure. Got down and looked....had dry rot all around the side wall. Didn't figure that was the problem with it leaking, but took it in to the dealer I bought it from. They replaced the front tire and I figured that would fix the leak problem too. Went on a deployment...came back, front tire was flat again. It'd go flat in about five or six days. I called the dealership and told them about it. I live two hours or so from Amarillo. Tripps had a truck with a trailer in my area so they picked it up. Turned out the front wheel had a pin hole in the casting. They replaced it for free. Tripps Harley in Amarillo is a really good dealership though.
If you're losing more than a couple lbs a month I'd say you have a bead problem or a valve stem problem. Did you try the soapy water trick?
If you're losing more than a couple lbs a month I'd say you have a bead problem or a valve stem problem. Did you try the soapy water trick?
I have done the soapy water on the stems and found nothing.
I have not done the beads, I should have done so when I had the wheels off to change the tires. I guess I thought that cleaning the beads and installing new tires would fix it but that's not the case.
I knew questioning the wheels is far fetched but its not like I know everything!
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 190
From: Penticton BC Canada
I have air in my shop and a snap-on tire gauge, so not a problem.
I'm fully aware of needing to top up the tires a bit now and again.
Of the 50 or so bikes and cars I've had, I would say that the bikes are probably a bit worse than the cars.
In a 6 month season, I would typically check and air the tires at the beginning and a couple times through the season, sometimes they need nothing. This bike needs to be checked weekly and always needs air.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 190
From: Penticton BC Canada
There are several ways a tyre can loose air: valve; valve stem; around the tyre bead if not seated well; the carcass itself. There is no such thing as air-tight rubber, so over an extended period of time a tyre will naturally lose pressure. In addition atmospheric changes cause fluctuations of pressure, both up and down. 8psi a month sounds excessive, yet both wheels indicates it is a common problem. If the chrome extends onto the tyre seat that may be the source of the problem.
The chrome does extend into the bead area, That is partly why I was throwing the leaky wheel question out there.
I'll try and check it out some more, but maybe it just is what it is?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Santa Clarita
Absolutely tires and wheels WILL lose pressure...I've heard/read that air will go thru the tire, hence one of the reasons for nitrogen in tires...whatever the reason...and I honestly couldn't give a rip why, I'm not an engineer...four pounds a month certainly isn't excessive.
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Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Santa Clarita
Smartest answer of all right there...
Novice
Joined: Mar 2011
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all tires leak air.....more like how our skin sweet's, this is why people are using nitrogen. the molecule size is larger the standers comp air. I have been a tire man for 25 years and have seen it all...... I can say all tires lose air! don't worry so much, check you psi regularly and you will be fine. make sure you get a good air gage and chuck.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
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My bikes front and rear tire leak 3-4 pounds a month in the heat of the summer. Consider it normal. 8 pounds though, you have a bad valve stem or a bead seating problem. Inflate your tires to the proper pressure and then spray they with windex or some home made soap and see if they bubble up.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Central Illinois
Yes this, very much. I learned in motor school to check tires daily and almost everyday I was putting air in the tires. On my personal bike I also always check tires before I ride and about half the time I am putting a pound or 2 in there. If the temps have dropped since last time I rode, I will need more air for sure. If it has gotten hotter out, I sometimes have to let a little out.
