Front tire pressure

[André]

Hi all.

I'm seeking your advices concerning a strange event that took place tonight after work. Left the shop at around 4 didn't notice until I stop for gas but when I exit, I remark that my front tire look a bit low on air, at the moment I thought that it was only because the bike was on side stand. But at the next stop I realize something was wrong. Being only a few blocs from home I kept going and be extra careful. Got home safely I check and front tire was real low. I pump it back to normal pressure and use soap and water to source the nature of the leak. Found noting, no puncture, the valve seems ok too. ???? Three our later returning from a meeting I check the pressure again, all is good. May be some BAD JOKER with no brain remove some air from it at gas station.??? What kind of idiot can ever think of doing such a nuisance. Sorry but I had to blow it of my mind.

Any of you had ever experience something like that? Should I install a security system or buy me a mew pair of steel caps boots?

[sedelen]

If you have low pressure either front or back your bike will start handling funny, especially the front, and that could be dangerous on a turn, or you could just blow the tire or have it peel off the rim. Could be a fluke, keep the pressure at recommended setting, check at night and then again in the morning.
I had a bad valve on mine and it "slow leaked" on me to the point where I had to put air in it every several days. Thought it was a problem with the tube as I replaced several valves, and that's another thing, make sure the valve is tight. Check for leaks with spit.

[gearheadE30]

Sometimes the valves can stick or dry out and leak a little. When you filled it up, it's possible you re-seated the o-ring that seals it. Kind of uncommon though....maybe it was low when you dropped the bike off and didn't realize it? Could also be a really slow leak. By the way, if you have tubes in your tires (which you shouldn't in an '82 but you never know) the soap and water trick likely won't work. Just keep an eye on it and see if it goes down again.

Just thought of one last thing-if it suddenly gets cold, like 75 degrees and then down to 40 degrees or something and you go for a ride, you'll be down a good 5 -10 psi just because of thermal contraction.

[obgrayone]

on my gsxr the frnt tire had age cracks that would leak if i rode it hard when i first got it , as for someone messing with it i had a co worker that use to pull plug wires and turn the fuel off it caught me off gaurd a few times,

[elrico]

My 83 GS550ES w/cast tubeless wheels,F and R tires leak air,slowly.Have found no obvious faults/reasons.This consistently happens:new tires,all brands ,new valves,proper mounting etc. no matterwhat is done/tried.I monitor tires closely;psi,visual insp.etc before every/all rides.Conclusion is cast wheel porosity;like micro voids in metal,so tires lose air/psi over time.Ex.(my GS) 2-3psi after48hrs.kinda holds there,then very slow drop as more time/days elapse.Put small amount of sealant/balance liquid in front wheel/tire unit(even less than recommended),did stop air leak/seep problem w/no ill handeling effects.Never got around to doing rear tire/wheel,I check both tires/wheels before any ride,maybe do rear sometime in future.Did you come to any conclusion/answer/info re;problem situation?

[ChicagoBob]

Modern tubes are notorious leakers. They may not leak much at 40 psi or more, when the valve stem is firmly seated, but some will lose almost all their pressure in a few hours once psi falls close to 20.

[elrico]

Good fitting/sealing valve stem caps,keeping out dirt,water/ice etc.and protecting valve mechanism parts , may/will stop or slow air loss out of tire/tube/wheel at the valve stem top opening. Had recall on tire valve(s) units on car,valves,made in China,known to fail;gratefull Discount Tire Co tipped me off on that one.Also installed metal type caps on all motorcycles and car, as the metal cap threads seem to fit/mate very secure w/valve stem threads.