130 Avon tire question

[1BigDog]

The front tire pressure has been dropping about 30 lbs in a week. I pulled off the wheel today and there was no obvious damage. I sprayed a soapy mixture around the rim and there is bubbling around a good portion of the bead area on both sides. When this tire was installed about 2000 miles ago there was no leaks. The last few weeks it began to leak. Yes, there is Ride-On sealent in there too. Prior to installing the tire I had cleaned the inside of the front and rear rims of all the old gunked up Ride-On in there. The rims had a nice clean surface especially the bead area. Rear wheel is fine. Any ideas here? I filled the tire to 80 lbs in the hopes it would seat better but its still leaking. Another thought came to me. Since the tire is narrower than the 150, do you think its possible that the 130 is just a poor fit? I know another member who is having the same issues and hes running a 130 also.

[1sttenor]

I'm on my second Elite 3 130 and have had no trouble losing pressure. Sounds odd???

[flb_78]

I have the Avon 130 and tire is still hard. I check tire pressure about once a year whether it needs it or not.

 

Also, I will not be going back with the 130 tire. It wanders too much for my liking in the wind and grabs the grooves in the road too much.

[99silver]

Check the valve stem, I had one seeping at the base and just tightened it up a little to stop the leak.

[gidzhome]

you could just put a tube in it.

[1BigDog]

After thinking about it I came to the conclusion that maybe the Ride-On had somehow deteriorated the bead area of the tire. Possibly from a bad batch. Not saying thats true but I had nothing in the tire the first 1000 miles and had no problems with it. The seepage began not too long after I installed the Ride-On. And over time it got progressively worse. I bought two tubes of ride on from another member who had a case and hes experiencing the same with his 130 tire too. Dont know if its just coincidence or what as I have been using ride on for years with no issues. But just to be on the safe side im going to buy a new 150 tire and see what happens. Like FLB said, I too dont like the wandering feeling at high speed (80+).

[Squeeze]

Sounds like your Rims is damaged. Maybe running through a Pot Hole?

[Squidley]

Jeff,

When you remove the tire to install the new one, clean the hell out of the beading surface of the rim. The aluminum has a clearcoat that over time will deteriorate, especially with you being as close to salt water as you are. I have seen this many times on auto rims and all that I had to do was clean the bead with some scotch brite and put some bead sealer on the rim after the tire was installed but not seated on. That should take care of any bead leaks that you encounter and if you want you can still put the Ride-on in for peace of mind.

[1BigDog]

Sqiud, I had cleaned the rims front and rear with scotch brite pads and they were spotless. Ill go ahead with the bead sealer just in case. Heck, I wanted to go back to that 150 tire anyway, so........:mo money:

[Condor]

I wonder if, when you cleaned the rim with Scotch Brite, that you created micro scratches in the bead seat wall and they are what's causing the leaks. Like Squid said, there's a clear coat on the seat and if it's damaged the surface will be too porous to seat properly?? Ride-on will stay mainly on the tread area and not get up on the sidewalls. If it was up there you may be putting more RO in the tire then's needed.

[cecdoo]

I have the 130 avon, no ride on and no leaks in about 11k miles, hope you figure out whattsup. Craig

[flb_78]

The problem is most likely that the bike hasn't been ridden enough and there is corrosion forming between the bead and wheel.

 

With your surgeries and what not, the bike probably just needs to be ridden. I've seen car tires that would lose air after sitting for a few months, pump it back up and start driving the car and it seals back up just dandy.

[1BigDog]

The problem is most likely that the bike hasn't been ridden enough and there is corrosion forming between the bead and wheel.

 

With your surgeries and what not, the bike probably just needs to be ridden. I've seen car tires that would lose air after sitting for a few months, pump it back up and start driving the car and it seals back up just dandy.

 

This could be true but when I was still riding it somewhat it was losing air at a slower rate which then became more progressive as time went on. Its also possible the rim could have microscratches in it from when I cleaned it. I did the same thing to the rear wheel with no problems and no air loss. There is just too much seepage around the perimiter of the rim to ignore it. A soapy water test showed way too much air bubbles for my comfort. I already ordered the 150 and ill clean up the rim again and use a bead sealer. Since this is the first time this has happened in about 5 sets of tires im going to lean towards some type of corrosion along the bead area.

 

At the very least ill have my 150 back on and the world would be wonderful again....

[Squeeze]

This could be true but when I was still riding it somewhat it was losing air at a slower rate which then became more progressive as time went on. Its also possible the rim could have microscratches in it from when I cleaned it. I did the same thing to the rear wheel with no problems and no air loss. There is just too much seepage around the perimiter of the rim to ignore it. A soapy water test showed way too much air bubbles for my comfort. I already ordered the 150 and ill clean up the rim again and use a bead sealer. Since this is the first time this has happened in about 5 sets of tires im going to lean towards some type of corrosion along the bead area.

 

At the very least ill have my 150 back on and the world would be wonderful again....

 

 

Mark the suspected Area before undoing the Tire. Once the Tire is off the Rim, just make sure you check the Bead Diameter for Damage. Put the Rim on a Balancing Stand, hold the Tip a Flat Screwdriver to the Bead Area at a minimal Air Gap and slowly turn the Rim until you your all the way around the Circumference continue with the other Side.

[1BigDog]

Will give it a try Squeeze...thanks everyone.

[1BigDog]

Unbelievable service! I orderded the 150 Avon from www.tireexpress.com on Sunday. Free shipping on anything over 100.00 including only 1 tire. I was working on the bike today when in walks the UPS guy with my tire. 2 days from Ohio. Cant beat that with a stick. It also turns out that tire express is owned by Competition Accessories, a company who I have dealt with numerous times over the years with excellent results.

[1BigDog]

Looks like I might be using a tube in the front tire. No cycle shop here will use tire bead sealer. Is the stuff that dangerous??

[flb_78]

No, it's just very thick and tacky. Almost like the old Indian Head Gasket sealer.

 

http://www.patchrubber.com/tire_repair/16118.html

 

 

Forms an airtight seal between the tire and rim, reducing bead leaks. Bead Sealer is a thick, high-solid content, black sealant. Brush on the beads of tubeless tires during mounting. Quick, economical and profitable way to end comebacks from bead leaks. Flammable. Flash point 14° F. Shelf life 1 year.

[1BigDog]

Thanks FLB. I would prefer the sealant to a tube. If the tire went flat from a nail it would be easier to plug in an emergency. Not so with a tube.

[dray]

Ruff I have the same size tire on the front of my 1100 classic and it leaked air this winter too as the tire was changed last fall pulled it apart and just lite dirt on the rim cleaned the crap out of the rim and now no more leaking any dirt or pitting of the wheel will make it do this and i dont use ride on

[1BigDog]

Found a Moto Guzzi/KTM dealer in Atlantic Beach who had no problem using bead sealer. He did an excellent job of cleaning the inside of the rim. Yep, there was corrosion present. Got the new tire mounted with sealer and all is well.

 

On another note: there were several shops whom I have dealt with over the years. In my search for a shop who would use the bead sealer I have found that a few of them couldnt withstand the current economy. One in particular was a place called Stock, Mild to Wild. Yhey did all sorts of speed and trike work, machine shop, etc. I was really surprised to see (hear?) their phone was disconnected. East coast customs and Northside bikes also closed down. Another shop that opened only last year is about to shut its doors. What a mess!