Front Tire Leak

[BIK88CHK]

I had a new Harley Davidson tire put on my bike late summer (front tire). Has about 2000 miles on it. Noticed around 1000 miles - that it was losing air. Dropped from 32lbs down to 19 - after a few hour ride one day. Put air back in it. Checked with sudsy water for any leakage - none. Especially around valve stem. Nothing. No holes that I can see or that bubbles would indicate. Leave it sit - during dramatic temperature changes. No leakage. Ride it one day - no leakage. Next day - loses 5-10lbs while riding it. Always while riding it. Never sitting - or - over night with temps here in MO jumping from 60 down to 20 in one day. So it has some load bearing issue. Dealer here suc*s. If I take it to them they will keep it for 3 weeks or until you call and remind them they have it. Any ideas what it may be?

[Hawkmann]

Could be a rim issue.
What type of rim do you have ?

[vlade]

Sportster thing I guess my 04 wont stay aired up may have something to do with a spoked wheel I just check and pump often.

[MrMarty51]

Air the tire to recommended pressure.apply the sudsy water to the valve core and around the stem where it comes through the wheel,Now try bending,pushing and twisting the valve stem around and see if it leaks while doing that.
Sometimes a valve stem will appear to be O.K. and with soapy water not show any bubbles until it`s forced to one side or the other.

[EZE RIDER]

There could be a nail or something in the tire and it will only leak when sitting a certain way. Inspect the tire with alot of bright light and you may spot something.

[scol]

Also when warm a tire will expand and hole will also, that maybe the reason it leaks only when riding. Same applies to nail in tire when warn the hole will expand around nail then it leaks when cold it will contract and seal hole. If it were me I'd stay off till I figured it out.

[BIK88CHK]

scol - I was thinking about that today. The tire would get hot and expand. But then vlade said something about his sportster - I have a 21-21.5 TLA spoke rim. They put on a Tubeless (Tube type rim fit tube) 19-21 M/C 54H Dunlop (Harley Davidson tire) - I have tightened the inside of the valve stem. Felt tight - maybe tightened a little but that did not help. Since the day I bought the bike it had new tires on it. But I noticed that it also had a lot of weights to balance the tire and asked the sh*t dealer about it and he said "Nothing" - but of course that means the rim has been compromised to some degree - right. I will try moving the valve stem around. Rode it this AM for an hour. Lost 6 pds while driving it. Could feel it. Put air in it. Rode it this afternoon for two hours - no change in tire pressure. Odd. I wonder if it is the rim. Hmmmmmmmm.... Thanks.

[scol]

I don't know anything about harley rims I'm a newbee with bikes how ever have some general knowledge about tires you are loosing air to erratically in my opinion to be riding, try to find a good independent repair shop if your dealer is no good, you must know some one in the area that can help you. Even a freind I fear you my be placing yourself in danger by riding a bike that is having that type of problem.

[BIK88CHK]

I called a guy who I talked to at the gas station today and he has a friend who works on bike in his gargage. Even tires - or - he has access to the equipment. I think it may be the rim. My tire upon inspection seems perfect - I have looked for anything - glass.?? But have found nothing. I am taking there tomorrow am. Thanks guys - I appreciate it.

[scol]

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