Slow leak

[Pauley]

Thought I'd ask to see what some experienced opinions out there were.

My rear tire looses a few psi per day. 2 or 3 days and it would be about 8 or 9 psi low. I inspected the tire pretty closely and can't find any damage or anything. It's not the valve core. The tire has ~1,200 miles on it. Front tire holds 36 psi reasonably long.

Question is: should I take it in to have it checked out or just deal with a slow leak?

 

[the Ferret]

It is common for motorcycles to lose air pressure in the tires while sitting and especially when the ambient air temp is changing a lot..winter to spring, fall to winter. I inspect whichever bike I am riding every ride and it's not uncommon to find both tires 2 or 3 or 4 pounds shy of where they should be depending on how long it's been since I rode that bike.

 

[HikerToo_imp]

I think 2 or 3 PSI a day is way more than a slow leak, I check air often and only need to add a lb or two every few weeks.

 

[sanoke_imp]

I think 2 or 3 PSI a day is way more than a slow leak, I check air often and only need to add a lb or two every few weeks.

I agree. Get yourself some soapy water and sponge it on the tire and see if you find any bubbles. Wouldn't hurt to check the rims as well.

 

[redbirds_imp]

Have you checked your tire's valve? Also run a ring of soapy water around the rim where it seals on the tire. If you are losing that much air per day there is a leak. I had a similar problem with a rear tire on my Moto Guzzi, losing a couple pounds of air per day and found a small piece of copper staple buried in the tread that showed a stream of tiny bubbles when soaped.

 

[rboe]

Could be a leak at the rim, remounting the tire after cleaning the rim (and checking the bead area of the tire is one thing to do.

Slime won't help the bead area (I don't think) but would cure any leak in the tread area (my money is on the tread area) and a new valve stem would be the third thing I'd do (they are cheap).

But a good soaking in a kiddy pool with soap has a LOT of promise.

It's a long shot but the wheel casting could be faulty and the leak could be in that.

 

[Pauley]

Mystery solved. Don't know how I missed seeing it before. There's a staple or something like that in my tire. I put a soapy solution on it and there's a little bit of bubbling. Ill try to get it looked at this weekend.


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[Randy B]

I personally would never repair a motorcycle tire unless I was on a trip and had no other recourse. I just don't feel its safe, but maybe thats just me. I would replace it if I were in your situation.

My $.02

 

[the Ferret]

Mystery solved. Don't know how I missed seeing it before. There's a staple or something like that in my tire. I put a soapy solution on it and there's a little bit of bubbling. Ill try to get it looked at this weekend.


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Man, I hate it with that happens. I am not as paranoid as Randy though and have ridden thousands of miles on plugged tires. Hate to have 2 holes next to each other like that but at least it's in the tread and not down in one of the sipes or the side walls.

 

[Pauley]

I'll probably replace it. This sucks. 1500 miles on it.


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[the Ferret]

Yea everyone should do what they feel comfortable with.

 

[rboe]

I plugged my griso tire, had low miles and I can be cheap. I replaced when it started to slow leak. Your wallet, your comfort zone, your decision.

 

[Pauley]

I might have tried to stretch it, but two holes right next to each other sort of made the decision for me. Air bubbles are present at both spots. My next ride will be across town to the shop to get it replaced.

 

[silverbub_imp]

Of course... to each his/her own decision to repair/ride on the tire... but... with only 1.5K miles on tire... and from photo the two punctures are staple size & not large roofing type nail... and being in the tread region... to me... this would be a very good candidate for use of RIDE-ON tire goop... the RIDE-ON goop would seal up these two smallish punctures & give much more service to this tire... that would be my "fix"...I have used that stuff to good effect as long as puncture is in tread area not out toward edge of tire...& have also gone with single punctures in tread area with "worms"... but point well taken regarding two plugs/worms in very close proximity would not most likely be prudent... but, again, RIDE-ON... would be... in my opinion(cents worth)

 

[Houtman_imp]

I have repaired tires on the road just to get home.
The next thing I do have a new tire put on (one after only 365 miles)
With only having 2 wheels on the road I will not take the risk.
Rather safe than sorry!

 

[HikerToo_imp]

Hope your shop has a tire in stock that will fit....there have been a couple threads here with links to places with the Bridgestones in stock, I bought a pair for the future.

 

[Randy B]

He has the dunlops.

 

[Pauley]

I'm more or less a beginner rider so I aim to cut risk however possible.

You have a good memory, Randy - I do have the Dunlop Sportmax Touring.

I called the local shop and the parts guy says he can have the right size rear later this week in the Bridgestone and also said the Dunlops are not available in any reasonable timeframe. I'm going with the Bridgestone rear tire. I'm probably paying a premium, but I need two wheels on Sunday for a ride I planned with one of my old buddies.

 

[Lord Popgun]

Well if it is going to take a while to get Dunlops, I'm stopping at my dealer and ordering a front tire. It took forever last year to get a rear tire in. I still have it, and now want a front just in case.

I figured by now tires wouldn't be a problem.

 

[CA200_imp]

When I was in bis. we never ever repaired tires. The risk was to high
to us.
Look at it this way if this was a high end sport bike tire you would
have used up most of it by 1500 miles anyway.