Forum

[Danny]

I got that sinking feeling riding my C5 at the weekend and had a flat back tyre. I managed to get back home slowly and can't see anything obvious like a nail in the tyre and the tube doesn't hold any air so guess it's knackered. The bike did come with a spare tube but on looking at it I noticed it's 19" and the wheel is 18" as it's 2011 bike. Would this still fit? I'm guessing not. I think it's fairly easy to get the wheel off but I'm imagining getting the tube out is another matter. I'd have thought getting my local bike shop to fix it would be the best option.

[Leon Novello]

Tubes are cheap enough, fitting a larger one is possible but will result in it being creased and putting the wheel out of balance, not that it will be noticeable on your machine except at very high speeds. I would get the tyre shop to fit it, they will not damage the rims as they have the right equipment. They will also check for what caused the flat tyre, possibly the tube split or the valve is tearing out from running at low pressure.

[papasmurf]

No obvious reason for a flat, check the valve, and the area where the valve holder is moulded to the tube, (there may also be a split in that area.)

Also the end of a spoke may have penetrated the tape and then the tube.

[Aethelric]

I remember getting a puncture, not seeing anything obvious, so I took the tube out and patched it.

Put it back on and then get that hiss sound as I blew it up.

Took the tube out again but carefully felt around the inside of the tyre. I found a tack. Invisible from the outside. The head was missing. I had to pull it out from the inside with a pair of pliers.

[Danny]

I took it off and bike shop replaced the tube. Got it back on now but bike won't start. Starter just spins so think it's the dreaded sprag. All good fun.

[Leon Novello]

That`s the trouble with some bikes, fixing one part will break another, something to do with Murphy`s Law.

[scotty]

Standard test used to be fill basin with water and watch for bubbles or if on the road wet your cheek or lips air flow feels cold. No problem changing tube or repairing it take tire off on side opposite chain this lets you wiggle tube out to fix without removing wheel find puncture and locate on tire using valve as guide gently run finger on inside of tube to find what caused it and remove. 10 to 15 minutes and your on your way.done this many a time over the years, also fit my new tires myself I'm a trusting type lol.

[p]

Seriously Danny, if you rode the bike home, however cautiously and slowly I would think about replacing both tyre and tube completely; certainly have both completely removed and thoroughly inspected, and don't use the wrong size tube just because you have one. Injury or worse is just not worth the saving.....

[Danny]

Thanks for your responses. I will have a look at the bike again over the weekend. Just wondering is it possible to bump start it as it's an EFI model.