The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Lucky_Lou on September 13, 2009, 04:55:20 PM
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Went for a run out this morning in the autumn sun things didn't feel quite right cornering, got to my brothers about 10 miles. Before i got off the bike he pointed out the low state of my tyres ? checked the pressure 15 front 10 rear !!!!! lucky escape me thinks. Question is how often should we be checking these and do you think my brothers theory that because the alloy wheels are so old the tyre seal will deteriorate is correct.Theres no evedence of puncture ect.
Lou
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I have to check and top up my tires weekly to keep them exactly on the mark, though I rarely do. I think this is due to the cheap tubes I bought when I got the tires. I plan to replace them when I pull the tires this winter to paint the rims.
I can always tell when they're in need of air because the bike tends to want to follow cracks in the pavement running parallel to my line of travel.
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I check my tire (tyre) pressures at least once a week.
During the 'hot' season here in Phoenix, it's not uncommon to lose 3-4 pounds of pressure a week .
During the winter (yeah I know winter in Phoenix how cold could it get), I don't have to service the tires (tyres) for probably 6-8 weeks .
Tube type tires (tyres), lose pressure quicker than tubeless (tyres), my oilhead, only needs the tire (tyre) pressures topped off, every 8-10 weeks .
Have you checked your tires (tyres) for leakage, by spraying window cleaner on the tires (tyres), including the valve stem ?
I do that every month or two, just so I don't get an unpleasant surprise one day .
I run high pressures, 40 psi front and back, so they can leak down a bit, before it would become an issue .
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I check once a week.
TTFN,
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Lucky,
Are you running tubes or trying to run tubeless in the original rims. I think most - if not all - the R65 rims were meant to run with tubes. Even the cast alloy rims.
that being said - my front tire (with a tube) does need to be topped up weekly. the rear holds its air better.
air pressure does need to be higher than the original book value. Running BT45s I'm fine with 32/36 lbs. YMMV
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Wow, Bob! 40 psi? Why so high?
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I've experimented with tire (tyre) pressures, and the bike feels better to me at 40 psi, than 35 psi, if I let the pressures drift down to less than 35 psi, I can notice it in the way the bike handles .
Not everybody might like the way the bike feels, it's got a 'quicker' handling feel to me .
I haven't seen any abnormal tire wear as of yet, and the front tire, a Lazertec, is getting fairly close to needing replacement .
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Lucky,
Are you running tubes or trying to run tubeless in the original rims. I think most - if not all - the R65 rims were meant to run with tubes. Even the cast alloy rims.
that being said - my front tire (with a tube) does need to be topped up weekly. the rear holds its air better.
air pressure does need to be higher than the original book value. Running BT45s I'm fine with 32/36 lbs. YMMV
I dont know is the honest answer ill call back to the tyre shop and ask them i must confess ive not checked the pressure since the bike whent on the road at....Easter!!! gulp [smiley=embarassed.gif] stupid is what stupid does (or doesnt do in my case)
Lou
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I make it part of my routine, during my work week ( Wed-Sun), I take the oihead to work Wed-Fri, I check the oil level and tire pressures on Tuesday evening, on Sat-Sun, I take the R65 to work, and I check the oil level and tire pressures on Friday evening .
I also check all of the lights as the last thing I do, before I put the bike into gear, when I leave for work in the morning, but then most of the year it's still dark when I leave for work (0340-0520) .
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All tubes lose air not just cheap ones. I've got Metzler tubes and they still lose 1 or 2 PSI per week.
I've thought about using one of the various puncture sealers not that I believe they can seal punctures in a tube but maybe the coating would seal the porous tubes and keep the air in.
Anybody tried this ?
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You probably lose 1 psi eery time you check them. I give mine a squeeze almost every day as a crude check, and try to use a guage about once a week. I'm not as sensitive as Bob to lower pressures, though.
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Swapping between two very different handling bikes every week, lets you get pretty good at noticing something is a bit off real fast .
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I bought some valve stem air caps at Wal Mart with a LED light in them. As long as the air pressure is above 32 psi there is a little green light..if it drops below 32 the light goes out. I just wandered out to the garage and the back tire light is out.............less than 32 pounds. Think I paid about $6.00 for four of them and they seem to work.. However I do check the tires with a gage before a long trip but for a short trip..........green means go. I have had them about four months now.........so not sure how long they will last. I run 34 psi in the front.....36 in the Metzeler K block on the rear and 32 in the sidecar.
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I bought some valve stem air caps at Wal Mart with a LED light in them...
[smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif] OK. I have this mental image of Bling-Bling Scotty at WallyWorld shopping for R65 accessories. Lemme see here, sez Scotty... LED valve stem caps, check... Neon lights under the side car, check... LED lights for the side hack's windshield wiper, OK... Welded chrome chain handlebar replacement, good to go...
Sorry, Scotty, no offense intended. I just see you zipping down to the Salt Lick for some quality BBQ with the valve stems looking like 4th of July sparklers.
All my friends drive a low rider... Monte
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I'm running Bridgestone BT45 tires with Metzeler tubes and check the tires weekly. I run 35 psi front and rear and they usually need a a couple of pounds every 3 weeks. The bike handles sharp curves great with this combination.
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Anybody else using the Avon Roadriders? An airhead mechanic recently told me I should be running 35/39 psi in them. I guess I was too low, going by the manual. The bike handles nice though.
Bill
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I have an Avon 4.00H18 on the rear of my 1980. Its about to wearout. Its OK but the sides are cupping rather badly. I'll run it down to the cord and then I'm going to replace it with my old standby the Michelin Macadam 4.00H18.
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Been a good boy went to see Nice One Son.s project (bargain) checked my tyres lost 1psi each in just over a week!!. Chris,s bike should make a good project with out too much hard work.
Lou
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Thanks for the photos, Lucky. Chris, your R65 looks solid. You'll enjoy bringing it up to your personal specifications.
And I note, Chris, that your exercise equipment is properly stored away in the garage where you won't be tempted to drag it out and use it. ::) I hate that stuff.
Hey, Lou... maybe post up the pic on the "Show me your R65" thread?
Monte