Leak Test

[lragan]

About two weeks ago, while checking the tires in all my vehicles, I noticed the front tire on the Blue Magna seemed low.  Pressure measurement confirmed that it was quite low (< 10 psi, lowest readable on my guage).  I inflated it to 40 psi.  Today it was low again.  So, I tried a squirt bottle of detergent all around, with no bubbles visible.  Next, I put the bike on the lift and submerged the front tire section at a time.  I let each section sit for several minutes (until the rest of the tire was dry), and could not find bubbles of any kind anywhere -- not the valve or stem, not the sidewall, not the bead, not the tread -- Nada, nothing.  I would have thought a leak that fast would show up, but I can't find it.

The tire has good tread left, and I hate to replace it, but am not real fond of having to continually pump it up.

Anyone have any ideas? 

Thanks

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[Greg Cothern]

Over inflate it a bit (within reason) and try your leak test.

Mag wheels are notorious for this also. 

HOWEVER tires are MUCH cheaper than a blowout and all the ensues when this happens!

[lragan]

Over inflate it a bit (within reason) and try your leak test.

Mag wheels are notorious for this also. 

HOWEVER tires are MUCH cheaper than a blowout and all the ensues when this happens!

Thanks, Greg I will try over inflation -- say 60-70 psi?

Would the wheel leak through the rim, other than at the bead?  Would a leak through the aluminum show bubbles?  I turned the wheel so each test covered from one spoke to the next, and both spokes were under water where they joined the rim. 

[Greg Cothern]

Not sure I would go that high on PSI, maybe 50-55 or so.  Not sure why they leak sometimes or from where.  I know that I have had some seal up good, and some leak no matter what.

[BudMan]

Never on a motorcycle, but I have had a tire taken off the wheel, cleaned the rim and reseated the tire and an identical problem went away.  I was very skeptical, but my cousin suggested it and sure enough it fixed the "leak" I could never find.

[TLRam1]

Corrosion on the aluminum can cause a leak where the tire seats but it has to be pretty bad. 

[dgc67]

Couldn't hurt to break the seal and make sure it was all clean, maybe move the tire a bit and reseal/inflate it.  Of course it will affect the balance, but nothing some dyna beads won't take care of.

[hootmon]

IF you are going to break the seal, consider throwing a tube in there... That will stop the leak, no matter where it is.. You will again have to figure it out later when you want to get a new tire, but it will get you through your present tire..