My new tires are flat...

[JTsGS650]

I just had some new Avon Roadriders (tubeless) put on one week ago today. I was checking the bike over this past Wednesday and the front one was flat and the rear one seemed to have lost some air (I didn't check it with a gauge). I had only ridden the bike up and down the street, exactly 2.5 miles. There's nothing in the tire that could've punctured it.

I'm thinking that the guys who mounted them didn't really take their time and make sure that the mounting surface of the wheel was clean and so the tire isn't sealing well. Either that or maybe it's the valve stem. I really haven't had time to check either situation. Now I paid these guys 60 bucks to mount these tires plus six bucks to dispose of the old tires. So, I've decided to take the wheels back to them so that they can try and fix the problem. Now barring any unforseen circumstances, am I wrong to expect them to do this for no extra cost? In my mind they should've done it right the first time. Thanks for your input.

John

 

[Billyboy]

I used to bust tires. If a guy came in with your problem and we mounted them, you'd get it fixed for free. Customer service.

 

[bonanzadave]

Did U buy the tires from them ?

Did U bring the Bike or just the wheels the first time ?

Bike shop or independent guys ?

Regardless, I would be suprised if they charged U any more. If they do I would be ****ed off.

 

[DimitriT]

They should have done it right the first time. I would expect a no-cost-to-me solution and an apology for wasting my time.

 

[KGB]

Did you do stems also ?

Stems can wear and crack releasing air.

 

[JTsGS650]

Did U buy the tires from them ?

Did U bring the Bike or just the wheels the first time ?

Bike shop or independent guys ?

Regardless, I would be suprised if they charged U any more. If they do I would be ****ed off.

I ordered the tires from Tires Unlimited and brought them the wheels and tires. I dropped them off and picked them up a few hours later. The place I brought them to was a bike shop. It was the first time I'd ever been there. I actually called around to several different places and they were charging $10 less than anyone else. The guy I spoke with seemed to be the owner/manager and was pretty helpful. I called him yesterday and he told me to bring them in and that they'd "take a look at them" for me. I don't know what that means, but... Hopefully I'll get some satisfaction, but it does kind of suck because the shop is 30 mins away from my house and now I have to waste a few hours on a Saturday to fix this problem...

Thanks for the responses guys.

 

[Billyboy]

Not everyone has the time or skills, but mounting them yourself assures it's done right.

 

[Tom MLC]

This time of year bike shops are swamped. It wouldn't surprise me if they cut corners, or didn't check their work. There's never enough time to do it right, but there's alway time to do it over.

 

[JTsGS650]

Did you do stems also ?

Stems can wear and crack releasing air.

I just assumed that they would replace the stems as well considering the tires appeared to be 25 years old. But who knows, I'll ask them that tomorrow.

I thought having them mounted "professionally" was the better option for me since I didn't have spoons and I didn't want to mar the rims. Well, $66 later and two flat tires and I'm wishing I just bought some spoons...

 

[t3rmin]

Not everyone has the time or skills, but mounting them yourself assures it's done right.

Amen to that. Tried to take the easy route and have a shop mount mine recently. What a fiasco. An expensive fiasco. Think I'll buckle down and try it myself next time.

If you want something done right...

 

[jimcor]

Are your wheels stamped (or embossed) "for tubeless tires" ? Some cast wheels used a tube in the tire, yes even if it was a tubeless tire, because of porosity problems which caused them to leak.

If valve stems are leaking and if the shop offered to sell and install new ones but you refused then I'd say the remount and new stems would be your responsibility.

 

[bwringer]

I just assumed that they would replace the stems as well considering the tires appeared to be 25 years old. But who knows, I'll ask them that tomorrow.

I thought having them mounted "professionally" was the better option for me since I didn't have spoons and I didn't want to mar the rims. Well, $66 later and two flat tires and I'm wishing I just bought some spoons...

For some reason, replacing the valve stems isn't a usual part of replacing tubeless motorcycle tires, although it is standard on car tires. If that is, indeed, the problem, it's fair to expect you to pay a few bucks for new valve stems, but not for the labor.

If they have tubes, this sounds like they pinched the tubes. It happens, but they should have caught it before you left the shop.

It could also be as simple as valve cores that didn't seal or weren't tightened down. A valve core tool is about a buck at any auto parts store, so it's worth checking yourself.

Also, before wasting a trip, I would definitely air them up and spend a little time with some soapy water to see exactly where they're leaking.

I've never heard of a shop that actually cleans the bead seating areas. The first time you do this yourself, you'll be amazed at all the crap in there.

 

[bwringer]

Oh, and here's the standard text on changing tires at home:
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html

You'll be the center of attention as your friends gather around to watch you break beads, wrestle with tire irons, and twiddle valve stems!

Or maybe not...

Anyway, I would add that it's a lot simpler and safer (but slower) to use two large wooden woodworking clamps to break the beads. The brute force methods shown on this page are quick and effective but can easily break or bend something, like you.

 

[boris]

Are your wheels stamped (or embossed) "for tubeless tires" ? Some cast wheels used a tube in the tire, yes even if it was a tubeless tire, because of porosity problems which caused them to leak.

If valve stems are leaking and if the shop offered to sell and install new ones but you refused then I'd say the remount and new stems would be your responsibility.

i agree ^^^

was about to post the same good job i checked first

my rims are not stamped tubeless and ive lost about 1psi a week

 

[JTsGS650]

Both rims are embossed "for tubeless tires", I checked this before ordering the tires. I was expecting (and would've gladly paid for) new valve stems if they weren't replaced as standard during the mounting of the new tires. I'm thinking this may be the problem. But based on the condition of the old tires, and believe me they were bad, I would've expected any reasonable person to install all new components.

 

[GS850_Coug]

That $10 difference could've been the valve stems. The other shops might have it as SOP, while the cheap shop doesn't, "saving you" $10.

 

[tomcat24551]

I've never heard of a shop that actually cleans the bead seating areas. The first time you do this yourself, you'll be amazed at all the crap in there.

Bwringer is right.

I've had a number of tire changes done on my GS cast wheels in the last 27 years, but no tire mechanic has ever cleaned the bead sealing area on the wheel or even brought the subject up!

So last time I had a tire mounted, I cleaned the wheel myself--and, man, did it need it! It had rubber from the previous tires stuck to it and plenty of corrosion (probably from detergent or tire mounting lubricant) on it, too. I got it pretty nice and smooth with a fine scotchbrite pad and then let my tire guy mount the tire.

Air loss has never been a problem for me because I use a tube in the front "pentagram" wheels, but I wanted to make sure the tire seated in a perfect circle on the rim. I will never have a tire mounted again without first cleaning the bead area.

Tomcat

 

[boris]

Both rims are embossed "for tubeless tires", I checked this before ordering the tires. I was expecting (and would've gladly paid for) new valve stems if they weren't replaced as standard during the mounting of the new tires. I'm thinking this may be the problem. But based on the condition of the old tires, and believe me they were bad, I would've expected any reasonable person to install all new components.

when i got my front put on they didnt have any valves in stock suitable
so i had to nip off and buy one
the place do mainly car tyres but the owner rides so they also do motorbike tyres but not as much
i recon if i hadnt gone from tube to tubeless they might of tried to get away with the same thing

 

[Zooks]

Don't worry about it. They're not completely flat - just the bit down the bottom.

 

[JTsGS650]

(snip)
It could also be as simple as valve cores that didn't seal or weren't tightened down. (snip)

Turns out the valve core in the front wasn't tightened down. Tightened it two turns til snug and I'm good to go. The rear was fine. I think I over anticipated this one. It was a simple fix. Oh and I like the tires too. \\/