Why it's always good to check your tires before any ride...

capt_bugaloo · September 23rd, 2009, 10:27 AM

I stopped at a coffee shop near my office on my commute this morning.
When I walked back out to the bike, I saw something on my back tire. I thought it might be a piece of leaf or paper and almost ignored it.

I took a closer look - and found an Exact-O blade buried about halfway into my tire! See photo:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/...2518f4e86c.jpg

It was buried dull-end first. I suspect some dummy threw an old blade on the roadway, and I was unfortunate enough to pick it up as I pulled into the parking lot.

I asked around and borrowed a pair of pliers from someone (note to self, keep your Leatherman tool/knife on you when riding) and pulled the blade out. It was buried about a half-inch deep, and went in not at the centre of the tread, but about an inch or two offset, so a thicker layer of rubber.

I am glad I spotted the blade or I could have rode off and pushed it deeper into the tire! After pulling the blade, I pushed the bike over to the office and will go out and check it at lunch time to see if it is leaking air...

gamma500 · September 23rd, 2009, 10:32 AM

Amazing what the stickier tires (03's) can pick up. Finished a race at Daytona (not the 250R !) and found a hissing rear tire with a chain master link stuck in her. How a rounded off piece like this laying flat I presume mananged to penetrate a tire, albeit at 140 mph is remarkable.

CRXTrek · September 23rd, 2009, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gamma500

Amazing what the stickier tires (03's) can pick up. Finished a race at Daytona (not the 250R !) and found a hissing rear tire with a chain master link stuck in her. How a rounded off piece like this laying flat I presume mananged to penetrate a tire, albeit at 140 mph is remarkable.

I think the front tire picks it up and slings it towards the back tire. Like a dart.

capt_bugaloo · September 23rd, 2009, 10:56 AM

Just went out there, 3 hours after I pulled the blade out, and the tire seems good. I'll check it in another couple hours. (If it's gonna go flat I'd rather find out at 1 o'clock than 4:30 PM...)

divingtigger · September 23rd, 2009, 11:41 AM

Come on tell it like a true Canadian, you stopped at a Timmies didn't you??

Momaru · September 23rd, 2009, 11:51 AM

Might try going out w/ a cup of water with some soap mixed in it ( I usually use dish soap) and liberally cover where the blade was. Bubbles = you need a patch or new tire.

addy126 · September 23rd, 2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divingtigger

Come on tell it like a true Canadian, you stopped at a Timmies didn't you??

I chuckled .... good one Rob....however will go over most heads down here... Timmies is very Upper Northeast U.S. (limited) and no where mid or down south....

Cdn by birth, U.S. by choice...

capt_bugaloo · September 23rd, 2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Momaru

Might try going out w/ a cup of water with some soap mixed in it ( I usually use dish soap) and liberally cover where the blade was. Bubbles = you need a patch or new tire.

Poured some water on it. No bubbles.

And it wasn't a Tim Horton's - I wish. It's the only coffee shop near the office, and instead of an affordable Timmie's, it is an independent 'trendy' Starbucks wannabe that charges outrageous prices : $2.90 for a 16 oz cup of coffee, for example.

Nevrfastenuf · September 23rd, 2009, 06:21 PM

I picked up a nail on my way to work the other day and thankfully a co-worker noticed it as we were standing by my bike talking before we went home for the day...luckily it didn't puncture the air chamber, just skirted around it and out the sidewall.

September 23rd, 2009, 10:27 AM	#1
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	Why it's always good to check your tires before any ride... I stopped at a coffee shop near my office on my commute this morning. When I walked back out to the bike, I saw something on my back tire. I thought it might be a piece of leaf or paper and almost ignored it. I took a closer look - and found an Exact-O blade buried about halfway into my tire! See photo: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3524/...2518f4e86c.jpg It was buried dull-end first. I suspect some dummy threw an old blade on the roadway, and I was unfortunate enough to pick it up as I pulled into the parking lot. I asked around and borrowed a pair of pliers from someone (note to self, keep your Leatherman tool/knife on you when riding) and pulled the blade out. It was buried about a half-inch deep, and went in not at the centre of the tread, but about an inch or two offset, so a thicker layer of rubber. I am glad I spotted the blade or I could have rode off and pushed it deeper into the tire! After pulling the blade, I pushed the bike over to the office and will go out and check it at lunch time to see if it is leaking air... __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

September 23rd, 2009, 10:56 AM	#4
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	Just went out there, 3 hours after I pulled the blade out, and the tire seems good. I'll check it in another couple hours. (If it's gonna go flat I'd rather find out at 1 o'clock than 4:30 PM...) __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

September 23rd, 2009, 11:41 AM	#5
divingtigger Pedal Power Name: Rob Location: Winterpeg (Winnipeg) Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja EX250R Posts: 401	Come on tell it like a true Canadian, you stopped at a Timmies didn't you?? __________________________________________________ Using Pedal Power

September 23rd, 2009, 11:51 AM	#6
Momaru ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Paul Location: Roanoke, VA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Candy Plasma Blue 250R Posts: A lot.	Might try going out w/ a cup of water with some soap mixed in it ( I usually use dish soap) and liberally cover where the blade was. Bubbles = you need a patch or new tire. __________________________________________________ Proud member of the Blue Army

September 23rd, 2009, 06:21 PM	#9
Nevrfastenuf ninjette.org member Name: Clint Location: Utah Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 ER-6n 2009 Ninja 250 sold :( Posts: 61	I picked up a nail on my way to work the other day and thankfully a co-worker noticed it as we were standing by my bike talking before we went home for the day...luckily it didn't puncture the air chamber, just skirted around it and out the sidewall. __________________________________________________ "Never argue with an idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience" -Unknown

September 23rd, 2009, 10:32 AM	#2
gamma500 ninjette.org member Name: Craig Location: Asheville, NC Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 98	Amazing what the stickier tires (03's) can pick up. Finished a race at Daytona (not the 250R !) and found a hissing rear tire with a chain master link stuck in her. How a rounded off piece like this laying flat I presume mananged to penetrate a tire, albeit at 140 mph is remarkable.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
What's a good set of tires that won't break the bank?	agentbad	1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	35	November 21st, 2013 03:58 AM
how to check a motorcycle engine to see if its good?	ninja_thresh_hold	General Motorcycling Discussion	35	August 25th, 2013 07:57 PM
[roadracingworld.com] - Dunlop: Winter Is A Good Time To Think About The Tires On You	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	December 24th, 2010 12:10 AM
FREE Very Good Stock Tires	Ninja Pete	Ninjettes At Speed	20	May 21st, 2010 03:17 PM
Possible upgrade: Things to look for and check on a good deal...	Verus Cidere	General Motorcycling Discussion	33	May 24th, 2009 05:01 AM