Mysterious Flat Tire....Suggestions Please

GetBusyLiving · July 6th, 2011, 09:28 PM

Not sure where this post would fit however my friend and I went on a ride a few days ago. She has a 2001 Honda Shadow and as we were gearing up to head home it was noticed her front tire was flat. We put air back in and since there were no obvious puncture wounds, objects sticking out of the tire and it was holding the air...we headed out. We stopped at the first gas station about 10 miles down the road and it lost about 10 lbs of pressure so it was towed back to the house. It's been sitting there for 2-3 days and doesn't seem to have lost any more significant amounts of air.

I'm very new to motorcycles but I'm thinking it may have something to do with the tube (its not tubeless) in the tire but I was just curious if anyone had an opinion or suggestion about what could be the culprit and if it is an expensive fix or not...

We do live in the desert and the temps have been consistent in the 105 to 115 range...

kkim · July 6th, 2011, 09:31 PM

check the tube valve stem for leaks. does she use a cap on the valve stem?

KURT · July 6th, 2011, 09:34 PM

Does the valve stem have a cap on it? Centrifugal force, can open the schraeder valve at speed, and dump the air.

GetBusyLiving · July 6th, 2011, 09:36 PM

Yes there is a cap on the valve stem...think soapy water spray would determine if the valve stem is bad?

kkim · July 6th, 2011, 09:37 PM

yes.

overfill the tire and check it for leaks.

Snake · July 6th, 2011, 09:45 PM

An easy way to check the valve stem for leaks is to take the valve stem cap off(if it has one) and spray some glass cleaner into and around the valve stem. If you see bubbles start to form then there is a leak.
Having a patch put on the tube is not very expensive, usualy anywhere from $5 to $15. The more expensive part is the dismounting, remounting and balancing of the tire and tube, usualy anywhere from $25 to $45. Call your mechanic and ask his prices for the above mentioned.

caps · July 6th, 2011, 09:47 PM

i think her rim is bent.

GetBusyLiving · July 6th, 2011, 09:53 PM

She did go down about a month ago and this would be the first time since that that she has rode it. A car stopped on a blind curve and she went down doing about 30 mph...

Thanks I'll be sending her the suggestions.

Snake · July 6th, 2011, 10:27 PM

Tell her this is a good time to get herself a Ninja 250 and join our community.

CZroe · July 9th, 2011, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caps

i think her rim is bent.

It's not tubeless.

July 6th, 2011, 09:28 PM	#1
GetBusyLiving I'm Fun Size not short. Name: G-Hop Location: The Dusty Desert Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 White Ninja 250r Posts: 28	Mysterious Flat Tire....Suggestions Please Not sure where this post would fit however my friend and I went on a ride a few days ago. She has a 2001 Honda Shadow and as we were gearing up to head home it was noticed her front tire was flat. We put air back in and since there were no obvious puncture wounds, objects sticking out of the tire and it was holding the air...we headed out. We stopped at the first gas station about 10 miles down the road and it lost about 10 lbs of pressure so it was towed back to the house. It's been sitting there for 2-3 days and doesn't seem to have lost any more significant amounts of air. I'm very new to motorcycles but I'm thinking it may have something to do with the tube (its not tubeless) in the tire but I was just curious if anyone had an opinion or suggestion about what could be the culprit and if it is an expensive fix or not... We do live in the desert and the temps have been consistent in the 105 to 115 range...

July 6th, 2011, 09:34 PM	#3
KURT Resident Old Guy Name: Kurt Location: Goodyear, Az Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): sold Posts: 264	Does the valve stem have a cap on it? Centrifugal force, can open the schraeder valve at speed, and dump the air. __________________________________________________ Resident old guy... get off my lawn!

July 6th, 2011, 09:47 PM	#7
caps Sexy Beast Name: Mat Location: Tampa Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R, 2006 ZX-14, 2012 Ducati Monster Posts: A lot.	i think her rim is bent. __________________________________________________ 2010 Ninja 250 2006 Ninja ZX-14 ^Both Links

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July 6th, 2011, 09:31 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	check the tube valve stem for leaks. does she use a cap on the valve stem?

July 6th, 2011, 09:36 PM	#4
GetBusyLiving I'm Fun Size not short. Name: G-Hop Location: The Dusty Desert Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 White Ninja 250r Posts: 28	Yes there is a cap on the valve stem...think soapy water spray would determine if the valve stem is bad?

July 6th, 2011, 09:37 PM	#5
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	yes. overfill the tire and check it for leaks.

July 6th, 2011, 09:45 PM	#6
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	An easy way to check the valve stem for leaks is to take the valve stem cap off(if it has one) and spray some glass cleaner into and around the valve stem. If you see bubbles start to form then there is a leak. Having a patch put on the tube is not very expensive, usualy anywhere from $5 to $15. The more expensive part is the dismounting, remounting and balancing of the tire and tube, usualy anywhere from $25 to $45. Call your mechanic and ask his prices for the above mentioned.

July 6th, 2011, 09:53 PM	#8
GetBusyLiving I'm Fun Size not short. Name: G-Hop Location: The Dusty Desert Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 White Ninja 250r Posts: 28	She did go down about a month ago and this would be the first time since that that she has rode it. A car stopped on a blind curve and she went down doing about 30 mph... Thanks I'll be sending her the suggestions.

July 6th, 2011, 10:27 PM	#9
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Tell her this is a good time to get herself a Ninja 250 and join our community.