Weekend Woes

So, Saturday one of the best riding days we have had in 2 months. I had signed up for CCW class, so I did not ride, class 8am to 4pm. Then planned all day ride with Chapter today to hit several HD dealerships and some good back roads. Went to garage at 10am .... FLAT TIRE...

Could not find anything but leak at valve stem... makes no sense, just rode to work on Friday, then to bike night... and checked air that morning because had not checked in couple weeks...all was cool...

Chit happens... but I am not happy.... :gah:

Sometimes they just start to leak and there's nothin' for it but to put new ones in. I keep a few spares around the shop just in case . . .

Very interesting. I changed my rear tire a few weeks ago and now it wont hold pressure for more than 4 days. I haven't taken the wheel off yet to see where the leak is, but now suspect the re-used valve stem. Been putting off taking the wheel off again--ach!

I watch my tire pressure like a hawk...Check it every week...

I'm bad that way. With previous tires (Bridgestones), they never leaked so I went whole year without checking them after I saw they stayed true the first month. I know....that's asking for trouble.

I used to do the truckers quick method: whack em with a small baseball bat to see if air pressure is good. Not accurate but it works. Checking back tire on the big touring bikes with a gauge is a real p.i.t.a.

I had trouble with my last tire. Or was it the tire before. Anyway, I was always having to put air in it. I had my mechanic (now my ol' man ) put in new valve stems, front and rear, and it's been fine.

Hi Hot01,
Been a long time since I've seen you post. How've you been?

Do you know if it was the little valve inside that was leaking, or was it the rubber grommet under the lock nut at the base of the stem?

No clue. It just occurred to me when I was getting a new tire to ask him to replace the valve stem, and I never had a problem after that.

Sometimes valve stems get tiny leaks from fine dirt getting into them during fill-ups. Happens more often to my off-road bikes/ATVs than street stuff, because the nozzle can't help but get dusty out in the desert. Doesn't take much dust to get a jam that will bleed-out overnight.
Oh, and CONGRATS ON THE NEW OL' MAN, ABBY!:cheers:

Me, too. Only takes a couple of minutes on my bike - no big saddlebags to contend with.