Bert2006 Posted April 28, 2015 #1 Posted April 28, 2015 I have a slow leak that has developed on the front wheel. Its a new Commander II installed last summer. No issues at all last summer. This spring when I took bike out for first time it only had 17psi in it. Pumped it up to 36 and went for a ride no issues. After a week, it was down to 25psi. Pumped it up again and then looked at it the next day and it was back down to 25. So pumped it up to 40 and the next day it was down to 38. There are no nails in it, soaped it up and cannot see air escaping on the tire, around the bead/rim, valve stem or valve itself. I did loosen the shrader valve and re-seat it but I am still loosing about 1 psi per day. Next step is to install a new shrader valve, but any thoughts?
Flyinfool Posted April 28, 2015 #2 Posted April 28, 2015 I have had intermittent leaks before. Fill the tire to 40-45 lbs, soap it up good and come back later to check. Keep the soap wet so that it can bubble. Now if the air gets out without making bubbles, then it may be aliens mining the planet for air and they are just beaming the air away.......
ks_gibby Posted April 28, 2015 #3 Posted April 28, 2015 Any chance it's balanced with some form of "beads"? I haven't experienced the issue, but I've hear others say it's possible for a bead to hang up in the schrader valve / stem.
Bert2006 Posted April 28, 2015 Author #4 Posted April 28, 2015 Any chance it's balanced with some form of "beads"? I haven't experienced the issue, but I've hear others say it's possible for a bead to hang up in the schrader valve / stem. No dynabeads in it but heard that some had that issue also. Will replace the shrader valve tonight and see if that solves it.
videoarizona Posted April 28, 2015 #5 Posted April 28, 2015 Same problem. I replaced the valve and good to go. No bubbles after serious soap and water testing.
djh3 Posted April 29, 2015 #6 Posted April 29, 2015 Too biggest culprits are either the schrader valve or the O ring for the filler tube.
Bert2006 Posted May 7, 2015 Author #7 Posted May 7, 2015 Well it was not the valve after all. After a week the same problem again. So jacked thebike up and used a water container under the wheel and there are steady streams of bubbles coming from the edge of the rim and tire in multiple locations on one side and a few on the other. I canot get to the dealer for a few weeks until I could take a day off. So will have to inflate it before every ride until I can it fixed. I usually inflate to 36 and when i get back from ride its at 37 or 38. But the next day down to 33. After a few days down to 25. Am I risking a failure with the tire suddently separating from the rim?
Flyinfool Posted May 7, 2015 #8 Posted May 7, 2015 I would say there is no more chance of the tire separating than a well sealed tire. I would start my rides with an extra pound or 2 of pressure, It is better to be a bit high than a bit low. Just carry a pump and pressure gauge on the bike.
Bert2006 Posted May 15, 2015 Author #9 Posted May 15, 2015 Well, was finally able to get to the dealer this morning. They took tire off and cleaned up the gunk on the inside of the rim (there was a lot, it is a wonder it held for as long as it did), they applied bead seal and then reinstalled and ballanced it. Hopefully this is now fixed. Time will tell! Also got my carbs synched and tech told me that I am well overdue for valves to be checked. He was saying this based on readings he was getting on the synch tool:confused24:. I am at 45000 miles and have no record of the previous owner having had it done. Will be bitting the bullet later this summer and get it done, was quoted min of 3 hours labour to do the job.
Flyinfool Posted May 15, 2015 #10 Posted May 15, 2015 I've never seen or even heard of a sync tool that could tell the valve lash. Nor can I even fathom how you could tell valve lash from doing a sync. Me thinks you need a new tech that will not be pulling your worble. 45,000 miles or kilometers? Recommended time to check is 36K miles. 45K miles ya you are due for a valve check. 45K kilometers, is just under 28K miles you are good for a while yet. My bike is just getting its first valve check at 60K miles, there are just a few that are out of spec. I hope to finish it this weekend.
Bert2006 Posted May 15, 2015 Author #11 Posted May 15, 2015 I've never seen or even heard of a sync tool that could tell the valve lash. Nor can I even fathom how you could tell valve lash from doing a sync. Me thinks you need a new tech that will not be pulling your worble. 45,000 miles or kilometers? Recommended time to check is 36K miles. 45K miles ya you are due for a valve check. 45K kilometers, is just under 28K miles you are good for a while yet. My bike is just getting its first valve check at 60K miles, there are just a few that are out of spec. I hope to finish it this weekend. I was puzzled by that too. He hit a switch on the synch tool that caused it to display something different, ie instead of the synching it was showing a range of something for each cyclinder or carb and 3 were showing multiple bars and one was not moving at all. He said this showed that one of the valves was tight....anyway it 45k miles so I will get them done. Now this tech is the best they have at this shop and so far has been straight with me, but I am with you on not trusting the story Iam being told....
Flyinfool Posted May 15, 2015 #13 Posted May 15, 2015 (edited) Interesting tool. IF your valve clearance is bad enough to show up on that tool then you should not be running that engine at all. That tool can show a valve that is not sealing. As long as your lash is less than zero the valve will still close completely and should seal. That tool does not tell you what the valve clearance is. Only that a valve is not sealing or there is a vacuum leak in the manifold. So if the tool is saying that one valve is not closing, You may have a much bigger problem than needing the valves adjusted. Here is the manual that says what the tool can do. http://www.tecmate.com.au/pdf/vaccummate_TMNA_VMR6_eng.pdf Edited May 15, 2015 by Flyinfool
Bert2006 Posted May 16, 2015 Author #14 Posted May 16, 2015 Thanks for the link to the manual. It is not opening properly on my tablet so will take a look at it later on the computer. He told me that I should not delay too much in getting it done so I will follow that advice. Once in a while I get a tapping sound on start up from the front right hand cylinder but that goes away quickly. One more thing to take care off on this bike, it has been an adventure but that is what you get when you buy second hand, cant trust that the PO took proper care of it. Thank God that these bikes are so much fun to ride, it makes up for all off the maintenance and care we need to put in them. Thanks again for posting as I alway's value the oppinions and suggestions from members on this site.
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