Front tire flats???

[Mr. Neutron]

Hey, All!!!

I've had Luke Matlack's 280 Gas Gas since mid-May, and really, really like the bike. I ride it a lot!

But I've now had 2 flat front tires. The front is a tube-type Michelin tire, with what looks like standard (not a Bridgestone Ultra Heavy Duty/really thick) inner tube. The first one blew out on the side, as if I probably let the front tire pressure get a little too low, and pinch-flatted it. I can accept responsibility for that. With the second flat tire I had though, the tire seemed to spin on the rim, and pretty much pulled/ripped the valve stem. I'm running the stock rim lock, and have really tried to be careful about checking the pressure (5-6 lbs. typically) before each ride. But the tire spinning on the rim bugs me.....

Do you guys ever use, say, 2 rim locks on the front wheel? Screws?? That would seem like overkill to me, but if it kept the tire from spinning on the rim...... What about heavy duty tubes, like that Bridgestone UHD tube I mentioned above. I had good luck with those on my KTM, but man, are they ever heavy.....

At any rate, what are y'all doing to keep the tire & tube from spinning on your rims?

Thanks!
Jimmie Newton

[dwertsch]

If you made sure the bead was seated properly on the rim you should not have a problem Jim.
Did you inflate the tire to 40psi + prior to tightening the rimlock? It's possible that it wasn't tighted enough if the bead wasn't seated.
Then once you start riding the bead can work outward and the rimlock can become loose.

I haven't had the problem, but maybe others could chime in.

David

[Mr. Neutron]

Thanks for the reply, David!!!!

I did air everything up to around 20+ lbs. when I put the new tube in. Did this to help seat the tire. I think I let the air out after the tire's bead was seated, and then tightened up the rim lock. I think......

And who knows; I could be a little light on the torque that I put on the rim lock. I didn't use a torque wrench when I tightened up the rim lock, and wouldn't have a clue what value to use..... Back before the earth's crust cooled, when I was a teenager riding a then new '72 CZ 250, I once managed to overtighten a rim lock. Screwed up my tire (the bead on the Metzler & sidewall weren't in real good shape after that), and once snapped the stem off a rim lock from being a little too enthusiastic with the 13mm wrench..... Now, at 56, I go a little easier while torquing on things like that.....

Anyhow, I guess I'll try tightening the rim lock a little more, for now. Put the new tube in, and like I said, everything seems to have seated well. But the valve stem has already "tilted" (moved) a llittle bit, and I don't think I have an hour's ride time on it..... I did kinda vary from my normal tire changing routine, and used baby powder inside the tire. I normally don't run baby powder, and use a mix of dishwashing soap & water for helping get the tire on the rim. Maybe I put too much baby powder in there?

Any other ideas???

Thanks Folks!
Jimmie

[Stroupdog]

I think you're just to tough on the bike with all the stoppies, 360's, and back flips you've been doing..... how could any tire hold up.   


I'll be arriving on Sat noonish Jimmie! We're camping in the Gorge Thurs and Fri......

[JayLael]

Get a motion pro rim lock from your local dealer. They have more bite to them. The oe rim locks are nowhere near as good at keeping the tire from slipping. Also do what David said.

[Mr. Neutron]

Thanks, Jay!!!

I'll see what I can do about coming up with the MP rim lock, and give that a try.

I did try what Dave said with the new tube (put in an MSR brand HD tube).  The tire somehow still managed to spin a little on the rim..... 

Jim, we'll see ya Saturday, Sir!!!

Hee hee, I'm not certain about the backflips, stoppies, & such. I'm still having a tough time simply hopping the front wheel without looking like someone havin' some sorta seizure or somethin'.......

Thanks, Fellas!

Jimmie