Flat Front Tire :( [Archive]

Augustgirl68

09-17-2008, 07:08 PM

Easy Rider

09-17-2008, 08:07 PM

I was soooo lucky to get a nail in my front tire and now I am not sure what to do. Can it be fixed or do i have to get a whole new tire?? And, is it something that is a do it yourself thing or do I need to get it to a garage??

The standard answer is: You should never repair a motorcycle tire.
The situation is a little different for the GZ, however, since it has a tube. If the tire is relatively new and the puncture is small and clean......then a new tube and a patch (boot) on the inside should fix you right up.
If the tire is more than 3 years old, I'd replace it.

And if you have to ask about replacing it yourself, then you probably should NOT try it. On a spoked rim, you can end up damaging the rim if you mess up. :cry:

jonathan180iq

09-18-2008, 12:03 AM

I agree with Mr. Rider.

Easy Rider

09-18-2008, 10:36 AM

I agree with Mr. Rider.

Ooooo....MR. ....Rider !!!

Thank you, Mr. Lord !!

:crackup :haha2:

Augustgirl68

09-20-2008, 11:58 PM

hmmm, well thanks for the help guys!! Now i have to figure out how to get it to the shop to get it repaired, looks like my riding days are over for the season..sniff sniff..i HATE winter..lol

Water Warrior 2

09-22-2008, 09:20 AM

hmmm, well thanks for the help guys!! Now i have to figure out how to get it to the shop to get it repaired, looks like my riding days are over for the season..sniff sniff..i HATE winter..lol

Any chance some one you trust could remove the wheel and just take it to the shop for repair ??

Augustgirl68

09-23-2008, 07:53 PM

I am hoping I can talk my brother into helping me with this, so i can possibly get at least one more ride in before winter sets in

purslant

09-23-2008, 08:04 PM

With regards to flat tires ! Does anyone carry a can of fixaflat with them just incase your out and about, and get a flat?

Badbob

09-24-2008, 05:31 PM

I carry spare tubes, patches, compressor, jack stands (PVC Pipe) and tire irons when I go on trips. Commuting, I'm never more than two or three miles from a shop and I can be rescued easy so I don't bother. I could walk home if needed.

I also have Ride-On (http://www.ride-on.com/test_motorcycle.asp) in my tires.

purslant

09-24-2008, 05:55 PM

Thanks Badbob. I think I'll put together a trip kit to ready for any long trips I take.
I'm like you on the commuts I'm only 3 miles from home or work, and I always carry my cell.

gzrider

10-18-2008, 07:52 PM

I never use fix a flat. it will leave the inside of the tire a mess. I also never use it on automobile tubeless tires ,the tire repair tech will hate it.

primal

10-18-2008, 10:32 PM

Considering motorcycles only have two tires, I'd much rather replace the tire than risk a repair.

Rick

01-26-2009, 09:58 AM

Just got a front flat myself. Anyone know the size of the hex wrench needed to pull the axle? It looks like about 12 mm or so, the ones I can find at Home Depot only go up to 10. Also, any tips on getting the tire off of the rim? I've done dozens of bicycle flat repairs over the years but this looks like a bit more of a challenge.

Thanks

JWR

01-26-2009, 10:13 AM

Yes it is a 12MM. I bought mine at Sears.
The tire comes off better than it goes on, not a big deal if you have done replacements before.
It helps to have tire spoons.
For the price I would let a shop fix the flat then balance the tire.
My local shop charges $15.00 to mount and balance a tire off the motorcycle. Not a bad deal.

Rick

01-26-2009, 10:54 AM

Thanks, I'll call the shop and see what they'll charge. That sounds like a fair price, hopefully it'll be a similar price here in Austin.

Orpheus

01-26-2009, 01:30 PM

Concerning Fix-a-flat: Doesn't it say on the can that it's not for use in tires with tubes? There are other products that can be used for temporary repairs in tires with tubes, but I wouldn't use them except for in case of emergency. Seems to me that they would unbalance the hell out of a tire. Here's a link for the popular stuff here in AZ (everyone uses it in bicycles, but I don't know about ATV's and such): http://www.slime.com/index.php

Easy Rider

01-26-2009, 01:54 PM

Concerning Fix-a-flat: Doesn't it say on the can that it's not for use in tires with tubes?

Part of the problem with a tube is that it is thinner and MUCH more flexible; hard to get anything to form a plug in a tube that will stay put and keep a good seal. The second problem is that the stuff tends to "glue" the tube to the inside of the tire, if it stays in there very long. Hell of a mess to get things apart then; may end up trashing a tire that could have been salvaged with a boot and a new tube.
Emergencys only.....indeed!!

Rick

01-27-2009, 11:04 PM

Update: got the wheel off, took it to the shop for repair, and when I was putting it back on the jack slid out from underneath the bike. Thankfully I had the wheel *mostly* on so it didn't tip, but it was a bit tense for a minute there as I was wrestling it back on. Thanks for the help!
:rawk:

JWR

01-27-2009, 11:13 PM

Glad it all worked out OK.

It's not that bad of a job.

Jerry