Heidenau puzzler

navyrider · 02-10-2013, 01:21 PM

I am having an issue with the rear tire on my GS Adventure. The tire, a newly mounted Heidenau ( tubeless) will not hold pressure when I run at interstate speed for an hour or so, it completely loses all pressure. The bike can sit and hold 40 lbs for 5 days or I can drop the pressure to 30lbs , ride dirt all day and no drop in pressure. I ran the pressure up to 40lbs , sprayed windew on valve stem, around the rims and no bubbles. This senario has happened two times within the the last 3 weeks.

Could the problem be related to when the tire heats up, at this point I am just guessing. Thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks !!!!!

SocalRob · 02-10-2013, 01:26 PM

Sounds very unsafe to me. I would send Heidenau an email. I think they should replace the tire.

And, really look over the valve stem. Any chance of a crack that is opening up at speed? Personally, I run steel valve stems.

ultane · 02-10-2013, 01:48 PM

Use steel valve stem caps with the rubber insert so that they form an airtight seal when screwed down securely on the valve stem. Otherwise the centrifugal force of the wheal spinning can open the schrader valve enough to let air escape when at highway speeds.

Sent from my party line rotary dial iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeahbaby · 02-10-2013, 02:45 PM

Have you checked the valve stem itself. This year on the highway north from Yakima, I was running normal speeds minding my own business. I had a sudden deflation of a brand new tire. WTF, When I stopped I could find no nail or punctures. Couldn't figure it out. When I brushed my hand against the valve stem, voilà. Found the problem. Not a split or tear on the valve stem rubber a one would think. The metal stem de-vulcanized from the surrounding rubber. With the remaining air in the tire, it actually was spit out on to the ground. Yes, I have witnesses! Try to explain that one. So for now on, every 2nd tire will get a new valve stem.

Okie Preacher · 02-10-2013, 05:50 PM

I recently read a random post regarding air loss on the Heidenau's when mounted on spoke wheels (as opposed to the stock cast GS rims). Something about a slightly different set of dimensions at the point where the bead sits.

Might be a rabbit trail...might be something to look into.

funinthesun · 02-11-2013, 08:11 AM

best thing to do is to put 60 psi or so and submerge the entire wheel and tire and look for bubbles. a large container with water and roll the wheel around with the rim and tire under and find the leak. by increasing the pressure it will simulate the conditions of heat and stress when on the road. or take it to where it was installed they should do the same thing.

FatChance · 02-11-2013, 09:02 AM

It could be a problem with the bead seating properly on the rim. Try breaking the bead, rotating the tire on the wheel a little bit and reseting the bead...

rgb2cmyk · 02-11-2013, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okie Preacher

I recently read a random post regarding air loss on the Heidenau's when mounted on spoke wheels (as opposed to the stock cast GS rims). Something about a slightly different set of dimensions at the point where the bead sits.

Might be a rabbit trail...might be something to look into.

I'm one of the people who've had issue with the slow leak on Heidenau's. But it's always been the front wheel on spokes that's the issue, and especially acute when off road where I could lose 20psi in a couple hours if that, yet ride home without issue.

This might be related, but I'd spend a little more time on the valve stem before chocking it up to the same slow leak that other's have experienced because this sounds a little different.

PaulGinAZ · 02-11-2013, 01:14 PM

Is it the front or rear (or both) that is causing the issue?

I had a problem with a front K60 on my spoked wheel 2007 R1200GS that would cause the tire to lose just about all of its' air pressure within an hour or so of riding on the street. It turned out that there was a seating procedure that Moto-Amore' (the distributor of Heidenau in the US) ended up revising and sending out after a rash of these failures started to crop up.

With a fresh new tire you are supposed to seat the tire at 60 PSI and then ride around roughly a mile at low speeds and then reduce your tire pressure to the appropriate amount. I found that the bead on these tires is so hard that the slight flat spot that shows up on every spoked wheel where they weld the rim together doesn't allow proper seating if you just pump them up to 34 PSI and then roll forward after your initial mounting.

After I contacted Moto Amore' about my issue they suggested that I dismount the tire, remount the tire after inspection and then try what I outlined above after careful inspection of the rim bead. You may want to scuff up the area around the flat spot and see if that helps along with a little bit of silicone sealant on that area as well.

My tire now stays within a few PSI every week and that is good enough for me considering how strong the sidewall is on these tires.

Hope that helps.

B-Nice · 02-13-2013, 08:33 PM

Thanks NavyRider for the putting this question out there. I replaced the valve stem and put a step cap with a rubber washer insert and I will see how it works. I am on my third set of Heidenau K60's and this is the only problem I have encountered so far. Otherwise, they have been AWESOME!

mikerd400 · 02-13-2013, 11:24 PM

I had a set of Heidenaus mounted last year and my front would lose pressure. The tire was defective. The bead had a couple of imperfections, which would not seal on the rim. I used soapy water on the tire and the bead to find the leaks.

koenig · 02-15-2013, 02:15 AM

Funny this should come up now. Jumped on the bike the other morning, flat rear tyre. Inflated the tyre dropped it into the horse trough and found it leaking around the bead. This tyre has done 14000kms without a problem. Go figure. Otherwise a great Hiedenau fan. Wonder what the new Metzlers will be like. (I like elephants)

gsd4me · 02-15-2013, 02:39 AM

I would be concerned. Mitas has recalled all 2011 and 2012 production of 19 inch tubeless E07 tyres as they can suddenly lose all air pressure. I had one fitted, fell off and busted my leg.

Not saying Heidenau has the same problem, but if it keeps losing air as you say, I would'nt be riding on it.

koenig · 02-15-2013, 10:30 PM

gsd4me; wonder if your avatar and my avatar would like each other.

Bit off topic but funny anyway.

stevie88 · 02-16-2013, 06:37 AM

This thread is going to the dogs.

02-10-2013, 01:21 PM	#1
navyrider ^OP n00b Joined: Jul 2007 Oddometer: 5	Heidenau puzzler I am having an issue with the rear tire on my GS Adventure. The tire, a newly mounted Heidenau ( tubeless) will not hold pressure when I run at interstate speed for an hour or so, it completely loses all pressure. The bike can sit and hold 40 lbs for 5 days or I can drop the pressure to 30lbs , ride dirt all day and no drop in pressure. I ran the pressure up to 40lbs , sprayed windew on valve stem, around the rims and no bubbles. This senario has happened two times within the the last 3 weeks. Could the problem be related to when the tire heats up, at this point I am just guessing. Thoughts will be appreciated. Thanks !!!!!

02-10-2013, 01:26 PM	#2
SocalRob Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2006 Location: Los Angeles @ base of Angeles Crest Hwy Oddometer: 9,448	Sounds very unsafe to me. I would send Heidenau an email. I think they should replace the tire. And, really look over the valve stem. Any chance of a crack that is opening up at speed? Personally, I run steel valve stems. __________________ Rob '07 White (the coolest color) GSA rider '13 Husky Strada & '05 Honda 400XR

02-10-2013, 01:48 PM	#3
ultane sqeezin the bag Joined: Feb 2008 Location: the dry side of the blood brain barrier in SW Id Oddometer: 863	Use steel valve stem caps with the rubber insert so that they form an airtight seal when screwed down securely on the valve stem. Otherwise the centrifugal force of the wheal spinning can open the schrader valve enough to let air escape when at highway speeds. Sent from my party line rotary dial iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ I might be wrong, just ask my X... If a man speaks, and there is no woman present to hear him,.. Is he still wrong?

02-10-2013, 02:45 PM	#4
Yeahbaby Adventurer Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver USA Oddometer: 74	Have you checked the valve stem itself. This year on the highway north from Yakima, I was running normal speeds minding my own business. I had a sudden deflation of a brand new tire. WTF, When I stopped I could find no nail or punctures. Couldn't figure it out. When I brushed my hand against the valve stem, voilà. Found the problem. Not a split or tear on the valve stem rubber a one would think. The metal stem de-vulcanized from the surrounding rubber. With the remaining air in the tire, it actually was spit out on to the ground. Yes, I have witnesses! Try to explain that one. So for now on, every 2nd tire will get a new valve stem. __________________ You can outrun a motorcop....but you can't outrun Motorola When you start loosing your mind over a woman remember this one simple fact.................it's just the hairy end of a gut!!!!!!!!!!!!

02-11-2013, 08:11 AM	#6
funinthesun Adventurer Joined: Oct 2009 Location: so cal Oddometer: 57	best thing to do is to put 60 psi or so and submerge the entire wheel and tire and look for bubbles. a large container with water and roll the wheel around with the rim and tire under and find the leak. by increasing the pressure it will simulate the conditions of heat and stress when on the road. or take it to where it was installed they should do the same thing. __________________ If you didn't crash at lease once, you were not having enough fun!

02-10-2013, 05:50 PM	#5
Okie Preacher Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: In the middle... Oddometer: 577	I recently read a random post regarding air loss on the Heidenau's when mounted on spoke wheels (as opposed to the stock cast GS rims). Something about a slightly different set of dimensions at the point where the bead sits. Might be a rabbit trail...might be something to look into.

02-11-2013, 09:02 AM	#7
FatChance Road Captain Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Durango, Colorado, USA Oddometer: 9,375	It could be a problem with the bead seating properly on the rim. Try breaking the bead, rotating the tire on the wheel a little bit and reseting the bead... __________________ Pain in the Butte Ranch Durango, Colorado - Calculated risk or forbidden fruit?

02-11-2013, 01:14 PM	#9
PaulGinAZ FNG Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Chandler, Arizona Oddometer: 258	Is it the front or rear (or both) that is causing the issue? I had a problem with a front K60 on my spoked wheel 2007 R1200GS that would cause the tire to lose just about all of its' air pressure within an hour or so of riding on the street. It turned out that there was a seating procedure that Moto-Amore' (the distributor of Heidenau in the US) ended up revising and sending out after a rash of these failures started to crop up. With a fresh new tire you are supposed to seat the tire at 60 PSI and then ride around roughly a mile at low speeds and then reduce your tire pressure to the appropriate amount. I found that the bead on these tires is so hard that the slight flat spot that shows up on every spoked wheel where they weld the rim together doesn't allow proper seating if you just pump them up to 34 PSI and then roll forward after your initial mounting. After I contacted Moto Amore' about my issue they suggested that I dismount the tire, remount the tire after inspection and then try what I outlined above after careful inspection of the rim bead. You may want to scuff up the area around the flat spot and see if that helps along with a little bit of silicone sealant on that area as well. My tire now stays within a few PSI every week and that is good enough for me considering how strong the sidewall is on these tires. Hope that helps. __________________ -Paul - All bikes gone... thanks for the memories! -2011 Golf TDi six speed (daily) -1989 VW Syncro Tristar TDi (long-term project) -Too many bikes and cars in my sordid past to list...

02-13-2013, 08:33 PM	#10
B-Nice Adventurer Joined: Feb 2013 Location: Memphis, TN Oddometer: 13	Thanks NavyRider for the putting this question out there. I replaced the valve stem and put a step cap with a rubber washer insert and I will see how it works. I am on my third set of Heidenau K60's and this is the only problem I have encountered so far. Otherwise, they have been AWESOME!

02-13-2013, 11:24 PM	#11
mikerd400 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Sacramento Oddometer: 1,803	I had a set of Heidenaus mounted last year and my front would lose pressure. The tire was defective. The bead had a couple of imperfections, which would not seal on the rim. I used soapy water on the tire and the bead to find the leaks. __________________ Mike 2009 BMW R1200GSA 2005 BMW R1200GS (onto motorcycle heaven) 2003 Kawasaki KLR650 1977 Yamaha RD400 1976 Yamaha RD400 *Proud to be* *Riff Raff 2011! Riff Raff 07, 08, 09, and 10!*

02-15-2013, 02:15 AM	#12
koenig Adventurer Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Hiding in the shed South Australia Oddometer: 94	Weird Leak Funny this should come up now. Jumped on the bike the other morning, flat rear tyre. Inflated the tyre dropped it into the horse trough and found it leaking around the bead. This tyre has done 14000kms without a problem. Go figure. Otherwise a great Hiedenau fan. Wonder what the new Metzlers will be like. (I like elephants) __________________ If it doesn't hurt Your not doing it right.

02-15-2013, 02:39 AM	#13
gsd4me unconditional love Joined: Dec 2005 Location: Brisbane, Australia Oddometer: 5,709	I would be concerned. Mitas has recalled all 2011 and 2012 production of 19 inch tubeless E07 tyres as they can suddenly lose all air pressure. I had one fitted, fell off and busted my leg. Not saying Heidenau has the same problem, but if it keeps losing air as you say, I would'nt be riding on it. __________________ David Hunn: R100GS Ray Peake special. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...uild+australia

02-15-2013, 10:30 PM	#14
koenig Adventurer Joined: Aug 2009 Location: Hiding in the shed South Australia Oddometer: 94	Avatar love gsd4me; wonder if your avatar and my avatar would like each other. Bit off topic but funny anyway. __________________ If it doesn't hurt Your not doing it right.

02-16-2013, 06:37 AM	#15
stevie88 That's gotta hurt Joined: Jan 2005 Location: The place dad always warned me about Oddometer: 14,184	This thread is going to the dogs. __________________ "There are no bad guys, only good guys and mother fuckers."

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