Nitrogen in tires?

[850 Combat]

Even autocrossing, it was pretty common for me to have to let air out between every run. Each run is about 60 seconds. Nitrogen would be a benefit even in that kind of racing. Why not open the drain on your air compressor and let all of the water out once in a while, and imagine how badly you want that in your tires. I would prefer dry air or nitrogen, but I have neither at home, so oh well.

[kaufen]

For racing applications, where every tiny bit matters, it may be justified.

[Doug]

It's your money lads. Do what pleases you. Although one might ponder filling the tires with liquid nitrogen.

So... let's assume the bike is upright or at best, 2.7 to 3.4 degrees to vertical as measured from+ or -10 or fewer degrees from true North and you have invested the several hundred dollars for the liquid Nitrogen Dewar and proper transfer tubing, fittings, etc.

Letting the 78% normal atmospheric air out of the tires will not purge the entire tire of all the 78% normal atmospheric air. Leaving the bike on the ground will push out more air. If you begin filling a tire with the liquid Nitrogen at this point you may notice it doesn't take long before the bike is not rising off the ground but rather the now frozen tire is breaking into pieces.

Therefore the bike should be up off the ground. Determining how much liquid nitrogen is needed to fill the tire is a definite concern and must be monitored so as not to overfill.

As the liquid Nitrogen boils off to gas there will be some of that 78% atmospheric air trapped at the top of the tire. To release this trapped air, simply drill a small hole in the tire tread. It can be plugged later.

Sure, there is bound to be a learning curve involved and some trial and error but in racing every little bit helps. Other performance enhancement that might help would be; on the evening before race day one might choose to consume fewer beer and less pizza.

[bsharpish]

Ive worked in industrial gas for 32 years and ........... if you absolutely have to waste money go for Argon or, better still one of the heavier noble gases like Zenon..... maybe Helium to reduce unsprung weight by .000000000002 oz

your hard earned dollars are much appreciated

[dorkburger]

Ridiculousness in the name of science. ...

Interesting. ... I need to replace 2 tires, and have a vacuum pump in the work van.... could be an interesting experiment if nothing else....

Fill them with nitrogen, then hook a vacuum pump up to the valve stem and pull to 500 microns. Then refill with nitrogen. (>.>)

(^.^)

Well, I didn't pull out the micron gauge, but here's what happened when connected to the vacuum pump.

[Crankthat]

☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺☺

[mrbill5491]

Well, I didn't pull out the micron gauge, [ATTACH=CONFIG]50010[/ATTACH]but here's what happened when connected to the vacuum pump.

Hmm...one way to break the bead.

[dorkburger]

That was the kicker. The bead held fast.

[mrbill5491]

That was the kicker. The bead held fast.

The tire bead? The tire looks all distorted in your pic.

[dorkburger]

The tread collapsed, the sidewalls pulled in, and the bead came away from the rim edge a bit, but it didn't break loose or even suck any air in.

[Crankthat]

I can't say for sure that it would pull but..
The difference in flex on a newer tire compared to one that has seen a couple thousand miles is huge.
Stiffer sidewalls and it might... pull off the bead.

[Brendan W]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLtBojvDEyc

[dorkburger]

Memories.... thats how my father used to seat backhoe tires. It was always exciting...