Front Tire Leak ???

[08mastiff]

I bought my 08 Mastiff the end of last year and the previous owner disclosed that there was a slight leak from the front tire. He also went on to say how he brought it to the big dog dealer in Wormleysburg Pa who took it off and re mounted the tire but the leak was still there. The dealer apparently wanted to put a tube in the front after the previous owner went back again but he didn't allow it. I didn't want to take any chances so I pruchased a new Avon Cobra. When I took the old tire off I noticed a lot of crud around the rim so I wire brushed it off, sanded it down with some very fine sand paper, and sprayed it with a cleaner so it would be clean. Valve stem appeared to be just fine. I mounted the new tire, went on with no problems taking every safeguard to protect the rim. Inflated it, got the proper pops and I figured the rim was mounted. Set the tire pressure to 41 psi and the following morning checked the pressure and it was at 38 psi. Wanted to make sure all was ok before I put the dyna beads in, but apparently not. Any thoughts? If not Monday going to a local Harley dealer (only because its the next town over). By the way this is not a dig on the big dog dealer, just stating what was relayed to me. Thanks in advance. :bang::bang::bang:

John

 

[bruce]

I had same problem and it was from crud around rim. I also sanded down and then used steel worn for final cleaning. I found my leak by putting in tube of water, leak did not show at first so I let it sit and after a little time when I came back I could see bubbling from around edge of rim. So I would check this way maybe your bath tub if you do not have a big laundry sink. I least you will no what you are trying to fix.

 

[narow37]

tire pressure leaks are kinda typical. my front tire leaked and when I changed the tire, I cleaned the inside of the wheel really well. polishing compound gets left behind and causes the tire not to make a complete seal. at least thats what my problem was and the problem of a few other members on here

 

[RADAMS445]

I've seen a leak in the rim from a porosity problem when the aluminum was machined. Submersing it in water completely after over inflating it an extra 20 to 25 lbs. will usually show the leak.Valve stems can be a point of problems as well.:up:

 

[Dawgboy]

I believe they make a product designed to seal aluminum rims. Its applied around the rim where the bead makes contact.

To find the leak, make a dilute solution of dishsoap, lay the tire flat and apply at the tire-rim contact. You should see bubbles forming at the site of the leak. If not, flip over and to the same on the other side.

 

[08mastiff]

I inflated the tire to about 75 psi and submerged it in water. I stayed there for an hour giving it quarter turns. No signs of any bubble from the bead or the valve. Wondering if the over inflating sat it tighter on the rim. When I first mounted and inflated it I didn't go over 45 psi because once it popped I thought it was seated on the rim. Hoping that fixed the problem. I have it at 41 psi now. We will see what happens. Thanks again and keep you posted tomorrow.

 

[Little-Boo]

I had the same problem, so I bought some bead sealer and a new valve stem. No more leak.

Carlos

 

[K9Anniv]

If my K9 sits more than a few days between rides, I'm always 4-7psi low on the front tire...never varies much on the back.

My neighbors say they can always tell when I'm getting ready for a ride when they hear my air compressor fire up! :lol: :loony:

 

[Dawgboy]

I use Dyna beads. I get a bead lodged in the valve stem occasionally causing it not to seal properly. Just need to rotate tire so stem is between 9 and 3 o clock and air it up. That dislodged the bead.

 

[Th3InfamousI]

Aluminum will oxidize which leads to issues on slow leaks with tires. It happens on your cars just we don't check our pressure on our car tires like we do with bikes.

Anways when you mount the new tire you clean up the inside really well, which it sounds like you did. But like someone stated above there is a bead sealer which wouldn't hurt to use.


Bead Sealer $7
Buy Xtra Seal Bead Sealer 14-101 at Advance Auto Parts

 

[BadBrad]

Just out of curiousity, did you check it the 2nd day after to see if it continued to leak down? The reason I ask is because temperature will affect tire pressure. If you put a new tire on in the heat of day with your rim in the sun/warm, aired it up, then it sat and cooled overnight, it may have lost pressure just from the drop of temperature. Check pressure the same time in the morning for a couple of days and see if the pressure drops. If so, I would start with a new stem, but as suggested, soapy water should show a leak.

 

[Mickeetwo]

If my K9 sits more than a few days between rides, I'm always 4-7psi low on the front tire...never varies much on the back.

My neighbors say they can always tell when I'm getting ready for a ride when they hear my air compressor fire up! :lol: :loony:

Same here....if mine sets for a couple of weeks its always a couple of pounds low. I just add some and ride on. Back tire always stays the same.