Trust your instincts

[florence]

I was out on the bike yesterday and as I went into a corner it felt a bit strange and stodgy.  I thought I would stop and check the bike even though the stodginess was very subtle and I had no idea how it was caused.  As I came to a stop I realised what was wrong,  there was virtually no air left in the front tyre and seconds later it was completely flat and off the rim.

I'm sure you've all had this before but I was just very glad I listened to myself instead of pressing on and have it go completely flat at speed.  If something feels wrong, it probably is.

 

[SteveD CB500K0]

I went out on a New Year's Day run to the Ace Cafe with the Bulldog Triumph boys. My bike was white-lining badly on the way, which I put down to the icy conditions.

When I got to the meet (at the shop), the others suggested I might like to put some air in my rear tyre...

Finding an open petrol station at 9am on 1st January was a chalenge, but eventually found the Honda dealer in Maidenhead was open, fumbled 20p into the machine and discovered that there was only 4lbs in the tyre      [standard is 42lbs on these bikes]

[florence]

Scary.

Do you put 42lbs in your tyres?  I usualy run at 28 front and 32 rear unless I have a passenger in which case I put the rear up to 34.

Perhaps I should start a different thread?

[SteveD CB500K0]

It's a Triumph Sprint ST955
170/60 x17" front @36psi
180/55 x17" rear @42psi

Pretty standard on most modern bikes.

Steve


[sorry, should have said - no way am I going out on New Years day without my heated grips (and a fairing)...] 

[matthewmosse]

Last time I had that, somethings up, better pull over feeling, it turned out I not only had a flat tyre but several of the spokes had snapped, moral of the story, if someones gone to the trouble of painting the spokes try looking closely at why they did this, the spokes were so rusty the pitting had halved the diameter of them in places and this was hidden by layers of black paint.....

[fazer1k]

Scary.

Do you put 42lbs in your tyres?  I usualy run at 28 front and 32 rear unless I have a passenger in which case I put the rear up to 34.

Perhaps I should start a different thread?

This was a question I meant to ask a while ago, currently running at 32 front and 36 rear on my 550K3, guess I should let some air out of the tyres ??

What is the general view on correct pressures (solo) ?

[SteveD CB500K0]

26F
28R

I've not deviated since the 70's  (not on tyre pressures anyway  )

[Yoshi823]

It's a Triumph Sprint ST955
170/60 x17" front @36psi
180/55 x17" rear @42psi

Pretty standard on most modern bikes.

Steve


[sorry, should have said - no way am I going out on New Years day without my heated grips (and a fairing)...]  

Crikey Steve...i'm surprised that your bike goes around corners with that size front tyre...visions of a 'Tron' type bike come to mind....

[SteveD CB500K0]

Typo   


Front = 120/70


 

[captaindonutbikes]

whats this black magic of air in tires you talk of? does it make them go better ? where can i get some ?

[SteveD CB500K0]

In my experience (see below), air in tyres is definitely an improvement over no air in tyres.

You can buy it at your local garage for about 20p.

[florence]

I find these new pneumatic tyres are such a boon and a terrific improvement on the old solid type.  Having experienced the joys of pneumatic motoring I don't think I shall ever look back.

I now have a new tyre and inner tube fitted to my motor bicycle, and tyre garage kindly included air for free!  I bet none of you can top that for a bargain.