On leaving work the other day I soon found I had a flat rear tyre. Trouble started when I could not get the bike up onto the centre stand. A work mate soon turned up and we were able to get the machine onto the stand. Must be something in the geometry of the stand where it takes more effort when the tyre is flat.
A visual inspection showed nothing obvious. Closer inspection showed a tiny blimp in a tread grove. Liberal amount of spit gave no bubbles. As the tyre held no air I realised I would have to put in one of the 45 gram CO2 cartridges I carried to prove the leak. Nothing leaked with the 20lb from the cartridge. Bent thinking came in here. I took a probe from the multi meter I carried and poked the suspect hole. Bubbles soon appeared in the spittle. There was the leak.
I carry a repair kit and rasped out the hole with the supplied tool and went to push in the sticky string as per the instructions. The handle promptly broke of the tool.
What else could go wrong??? I carry a heavy pair of bull nose pliers. With these I finished the job.
I had one 45gram cartridge left. This inflated the tyre to 20lb, and I was able to travel the 1/2 k to the nearest servo. But the servo air lead is vertical and so was my valve stem. After a bit of bending I managed to get 42lb into the tyre. And so I headed the 80k home. At home the pressure was 30 lb so the leak fix had not worked.. A call to my dealer said they could fix a sticky job, just bring in the wheel.
Lessons learned from this episode
The rear tyre needs air for one to get the centre stand to roll back for an average build rider. Very frustrating.
The heavy pair of bull nose pliers I have carried for 40 yrs. have proved their value many times.
The 45 gram CO2 cartridges will put 20lb into an ST tyre. BUT I would have needed three to do the job this time. At $45 a pair it is false economy when $45 will get one a Slime compressor.
I have 2 rear wheels. Save a few dollars when getting tyres fitted as I can drop off the wheel itself. Or it is awkward with work roster and my child bride can pick up the wheel and they will dump it in the car for her. And am still able to ride to work. Excellent investment.
Went to pick up the wheel after this episode and was told there were 5 metal shards in the tyre.
Good grief no wonder I had trouble. The effort put into fixing one leak was only a partition fix.
There must be some gremlins at work here. Last year when my grandson was born, after seeing him my battery died. This time when my granddaughter was born this tyre thing happened . What have I got to do? Burn incense to the great god of stuff ups??
