First flat tyre - help

[onlyJaz]

Skip to end for tl;dr

Yesterday got on the bike to go to the gym, after a couple of minutes I noticed that my rear tyre kept slipping on bends, even though I'm taking them very carefully. I'm pretty new to riding so I thought maybe the tyres are still cold and it's in my head but it was actually quite scary to experience such instability. Once I got there I noticed I had a flat on the rear and thought I'd stop at good ol' Sainsburys and inflate.. Again a scary journey to the petrol station but I got there in one piece finally.

This is where the real problem started, I inflated the front tyre fine, it was sitting at 21psi so I took it to 25. The rear one just would not recognise the nozzle! I tried so many times and it actually did more harm than good because the little air it had, escaped. Eventually I conceded to the fact that it wasn't going to work and I would just gently ride home (4-5mins) and try my electric pump. I tried to ride, got about 30 seconds down the road going slow and almost spilled! So, time to push. Got 1/4 mile down the road and my arms were finished! Then came a 1/2mile hill - decided not to push anymore and started riding with my left foot on the ground for stability. Got home and used my pump and the tyre inflated. I was grateful but I noticed that one side of the tyre seemed wedged in. Now I think I'd be able to get it to a tyre shop okay but wanted some advice on what could be the issue and why the petrol station nozzle didn't recognise my rear tyre valve..

Pic attached.

tl;dr Got a flat tyre, nozzle didn't work at the petrol station, flat tyre went flatter, rode it for a few mins (probably making it worse), now dodgy tyre. What could be the problem?
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Yamaha YBR 125

[RhynoCZ]

For the future, do not ride a motorcycle with flat tyre, you may damage the tyre, rim, let alone killing yourself, if the tyre slips from the rim.

Now, a picture of your valve would help us a bit more, but I doubt you'd have 2 different wheel valves on one motorcycle. You may tighten the valve though, it's screwed in (the inside thing that you push). If that won't help holding the air in, then the tyre has a hole in it = take the wheel off and bring it to your local tyre shop.

To test the valve for leaks, inflate the tyre and then use your spit or soapy water on the valve, that will show any leaks.

A bit about the tyre not being on the rim properly, when you inflate it it will sit back where it's supposed to be. I guess you've got a tubeless tyre, so just the pressure of the air inside will sit the tyre. If it's a tube tyre, then inflate it, and ride it a bit to settle the tyre on the rim. IF it's a tubeless tyre and you already ruined the sides of the tyre, then nothing will help.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Stalk]

Tyre has come off the rim. Deflate, lubricate with soap, reinflate. You may have to go over pressure to get it to seat. Valve prob lemon may be an iffy valve core. Gone in too far for the nozzle to depress. New valve or tuse depending if it's tubeless. Maybe take it to 5he tyre shop this time and see how it's done.

[craigT19]

Does it have an innertube? if so the thing was probably so flat that the petrol station nozzel just pushed the valve into the wheel? should be a lock nut on the valve to stop this happening but some time people forget to use them.

If there isn't a tube then im at a loss tbh, cant be the petrol station gear as it worked fine on the front and cant be the valve itself as you managed to get it to work with a different pump.

Could just chalk it up to witchcraft

As for the tyre sitting inside the rim, thats normal just over inflate the tyre until it "pops" onto the rim bead and then lower the pressure to required levels, often helps to wet the sides of the tyre with a water and washing up liquid mix to lube the rubber against the side wall but isnt always needed.

All the best
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Bikes owned :- 2001 nsr125, 1999 zx6r, 2006 yzf-r1, 2009 xmax 250, 2012 yzf-r1, 2015 MT-07
Current bike : - 2016 MT-10
BCF member pops. sadly missed 1945-2003

[Robby]

Petrol station inflaters are no good for a flat tyre, they normally need to register some pressure to measure it, then add a bit, measure again etc. Some of them have a flat tyre button.

You'll need to take it up to about 50 psi to re-seat the tyre on the rim, using some soap on the tyre to help it seat. I use a 50/50 mix of fairy liquid and water for this, and apply it with a brush. Rinse off afterwards.

If it's a tubeless tyre, then re-seating is fairly easy - but you still to work out why it went flat.

If it's tubed, you'll need a new tube.

[onlyJaz]

Thanks for the advice guys. Sorry I quickly snapped that pic on the way to work this morning, I'll try getting a pic of the valve later tonight but if I recall correctly, the rear stem seemed longer than the front..


It is indeed a tubeless tyre, I will have a go at deflating and using the soapy lubricant to try getting it to sit correctly and if all else fails, I'll have to find a tyre shop that caters for motorcycles. My local can do motorcycle tyres for £15 if I bring just the tyre + wheel to them but I would have no clue where to start with taking it off or messing with the chain etc..
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Yamaha YBR 125

[doggone]

If the tyre had gone so flat it wasn't seated properly the petrol station air might not have been able to overcome the loss around the spot it had slipped in.
Then you rode it home which squashed it around and warmed it a bit then even your own relatively weedy electric pump was able to get that initial seal.
A bit of washing up liquid or WD40 should help it pop back fully combined with above normal pressure.

There is probably a slow puncture still to be dealt with but first option is usually to see if it stays up after full inflation.
Most tyres especially tubeless will gradually lose a bit over a few weeks.
If it gradually got really low you can suddenly lose even more air as it almost comes off the rim.

[Beehive Bedlam]

I carry one of these in my pocket for use at petrol stations.

https://www.zenoverland.com/user/products/large/VLV-ANG-001_1.jpg

[RhynoCZ]

[stinkwheel]

[onlyJaz]

[kramdra]

Do not reuse a tire that you have ridden flat. Tires are cheap. You can easily fit one yourself with only couple tools.

[onlyJaz]

[mudcow007]

Im guessing because it was flat an you rode on it the walls will be cut/ fucked so dan-gor-ous to use?

hence why you need to change it

[RealRestore]

I wouldn't recommend riding on a flat tire! I've been there it's so tempting to just jump back on, but is it worth it after all the damage it could cause. It wouldn't of registered that you had a flat as there not activated without some sort of reading of a PSI, like someone said they usually have a "Flat Tyre" Logo, you'd press that and it will active the air. Petty I know, anyhow taking your wheel off is easy so it removing tyres, don't be hesitant to try and fix your own bike, this is how we learn and save money. If you need help at all on removing tyres and wheels then I don't mind giving you some guidelines.

[onlyJaz]

[chris-red]

[kgm]

You need tyre irons and rim savers to change your tires without causing damage. Even then it's a bugger when I can pay the tyre shop 15 quid to change and balance them for me. It's very easy to take the wheels off and it's something every biker should be able to do. Do you adjust the chain yourself? If not you need to learn, it's simple to to do so. There is probably a Haynes manual for your bike or YouTube if necessary. All part of the experience, I'd don't think it's really possible to be as passive with your bike maintenance as you can be with a car.

[kgm]

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yamaha-YBR125-2005-2013-Haynes-Manual/dp/B00GMOX0YG&ved=0ahUKEwjbv4uKqp7RAhXHYFAKHfMHBrMQFggcMAA&usg=AFQjCNGnv1sS2fQhOyYi4mspJUq6NzFNAA

[kramdra]

[DJP]

[onlyJaz]

Cheers for the reply. A local motorbike garage has quoted me £30 for rear and £25 for front tyre change. That seems very expensive for labour since I already have the tyres :/ or is this a norm?

Does anyone know any garage that can do both tyres for less than £35 in North/East London?
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Yamaha YBR 125

[Hawkeye1250FA]

[DJP]

[onlyJaz]

It was for taking the wheels off too. I phoned up a couple other places and it was ranging £50-60 so I guess not an extortion. Etty & Tyler has been recommended by someone previously on the forum so I gave them a go as they quoted £40. Will feed back in a bit
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Yamaha YBR 125