Modern Vespa

I can't find the leak in my tire...I've run water over the tire, rim and valve stem and found no bubbles of air...But I put in air to 33 and it goes down to 25 about an hour later. If I ride it goes down to 20 and less...
I'm baffled...

Also, as most of you know, I am hopelessly not mechanical. So I don't have a clue on how to get the tire off to take in. Is there a how to one this?

My preferrence would be to squirt something in there to seal it. Is there a some kind of sealant I can use??....Some weeks ago there was a link to a super duper sealant somebody recommended, but I can't find that one thread either...

Help me out techno-wizards...I what do I do next?

Thanks....jacq

instead of using water only put some dish soap in the solution this helps create the bubbles better on slooowww leaks. Also check the valve stem thhis is a very common spot that leaks. might just need tightening.

If dish soap doesn't work, it's time to take the wheel off and put the whole thing in the tub.

Wayne B

This is what you need:

http://www.slime.com/product_29_Power_Sport_Smart_Spair_(50001).html

They have various solutions that will fit your needs.

I'm ordering the smart spare kit for myself.

don't use the Slime yet. find the leak first, then lets see if we can help you get it fixed not just a bandaid.

Oh Walmart has the slime and a tiny compressor kit in the mototcycle section in the auto parts area...I saw it today when I was checking out the sealant opportunitiess

Okay, I'll go back out with the Dawn dish soap and coat the tire.

How do I tighten a valve...I went to PEP BoYs this morning and the guy showed me a valve stem remover and told me how to use it....It that what I'd get???

I'll be back in a couple of hours to report.....Thanks fellas.....jacq

yes the valve stem reomve is the tool to use to tighten the stem. It should be firmly tight not cranked down. Mix the soap with water in a spray bottle or something, like a heavy solution for washing dishes if that makes sense.

I soaped up the tires, rims and valve stem and found nothing.
Here's what has happened.
Everytime I air it to 33, I find hours later the pressure will go down to about 28. Yesterday, I aired it to 33 and went for a short ride, it started to mist and I went home after only 12 riding miles. When I got off the scoot, I saw the tire almost flat....I assumed I had picked up nail. But there was nothing.... I did forget to put the valve stem cap on before my ride...I didn't think anything of that...
When I discovered the tire was almost flat yesterday and didn't find a puncture, I aired it up....in a matter of minutes it went to 20...

Assuming I know how to use an air gauge...(and I feel good about that) What can I do next.....

Got ideas, fellas......jacq

Replace the valve inside the stem!!

Thanks.....Will do....I'll go to PEP BOYS tomorrow and get the stuff...

So, you think that'll do it? cheers.....jacquie

Has to be Palmolive for it to work right.

Windex might create enough bubbles to show the leak. How many miles do you have on those tires anyway?

210 miles...*sigh* jacq

How far is it to your dealer. Those tires are still new and should have some type of warranty and if you can't see any obvious punctures, then they should do the right thing.

emptynest is right about that Jacq. take a ride to the dealer mon or tues.

I can make to dealer....good advise...I'll do that...But..gee whiz, they're so busy,no telling how long they'll have it there....
Still you guys are right. I should be able to get their help with this..

Okay, first thing tommorrow...

Oops..check that..Tuesday...they're closed Mondays

If you want to see how I take the front wheel off (it isn't too hard) take a look at my thread MP3 Tire change in 43 photos. The first couple of pictures show how I kept the bike upright, it will fall over is you don't secure it when one wheel is off. If you take the wheel off you can then submerge it in a tub of water and find the leak that way. Best of luck.

Thanks for the How To on changing the front tire...I wish I could get such a good how on How To change the back tire...

jacq

It's a mess, and I refuse to do it. The brake pads have to come off and the muffler.

Hi Jacq, I don't know what your finances are, but if it was me and I couldn't find out where the leak was, I'd go to ride to my nearest motorcycle dealer and get them to have a look at it.
Being a female may help your cause.
It sure beats trying to solve the problem yourself and look like you've had a bad hair day
The more stress = more wrinkles
EDIT: Take your MP3 to the dealer you bought it off would be better than taking it to any motorcycle dealer, as the former would have all tools and experience to do the job correctly, and especially if you don't want to void your warranty

Well said Mate!

Don't have to worry about that in the US. Manufactures can't require you to use OEM parts or have a vehicle serviced at the dealership.

Wayne B

Sometimes the problem is the simpliest thing. I learned how to change the valve stem dohicky in there... I bought a very good, easy to use air gauge...It's my new favorite thing because it has a hammer like end with a handle to hold on to...I get an accurate reading...
So I put in the valve stem dohicky and filled to 35 then waited. Over night it held the air in there...I'm not declaring victory yet, but it looks good...
I got my new air gauge at the Triumph/BMW place in 10000 block of N. Lamar for 19.95 + tax....
(BTW...everytime I fiddle with bike, I really appreciate what kind of hell you guys go through to fiddle with all those tight spaces and little things with your big ole hands..I have trouble and my fingers are long and narrow.,..Geez, you guys are handicapped and make it look easy...Well Done fellas...Astonishing.

Congratulations, Jacq. It sounds like you changed your first Schrader valve.

The hammer-like end is a chuck. The 90º bend on yours seems well-suited to the orientation of our valve stems. There's also a type that locks onto the outer threads of the stem (see PsiClops thread).

The bleeder valve on that tool can be pretty handy as well.

That is the same guage I have. Works great and if you put too much air in you can bleed it with that button until it reaches the proper psi.

very nice gauge Jacq 8)
take care of it and it will serve you for many years, many years

Gald to hear it was only the shrader valve and all sounds good again. No more about having to put air in every day.
Oh btw that was a decent price for that style of gauge.

Oh, JQ....I knew You could do it! I tip my "Hat" to you!
BTW, I have the same air guage as well....it's.....vun-der-bar! Hey, if you needed a valve stem....why didn't ya say so? Got lots in the ol' garage...never know when you need one
Good job lady! Do keep those valve caps on as well. Ya know, it's been said that metal caps are better at keeping the valves airtight......
Any opinions on that out there?

your are right on the metal caps. if you look inside them they have a little oring that helps seal the cap better than those cheap plastic ones.

Except the valve shouldn't be leaking in the first place. The cap is only to be treated as a dust cap, not an air seal.

Congrats on the tire find. I've been wanting to get one of these to have ex
tra on the bike just in case. I'm going to put an extra valve stem in the bike right now.

Thanks Jac, Dave