[belteshazzar]

Unfortunately I had my first flat tire today. I have a terrible leak coming from the stem on my front tire. I am assuming it is either a cracked stem, or a cracked stem seal.

I am 300 miles from the closest Ducati service. Last year, when I needed new tires, the local Yamaha dealer wouldn't service the bike. So I took the bike to the Ducati service.

Now, that I have a flat, do I need to take it to the Ducati Service, or can I remove the front tire myself and take the tire into the Yamaha dealer to fix the bad stem?

Thoughts? Are any special tools and techniques needed? I am not a mechanic, nor do I have a lot of special tools?

Would love your opinions.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[bpracer]

Assuming you have the stock wheels, you have tubes. You can't fix the stem because it is part of the tube. You need a new tube.

The Yamaha dealer is probably afraid of damaging some high dollar Ducati wheels. A private garage might be more willing if they have experience with motocross/wire wheel rims.

 

[sportbob]

If the stem is leaking the tube is done. Any decent sportbike shop should be able to help you. Might take a day or to to ship in a tube is all, depending on where you are. Shop might have a tube. It's a standard size.
First question, though, is why is the stem broken? My guess is the tire went flat first and the damaged stem is the result as well as the most obvious leak.
Second question is how many revolutions did the tire turn while flat? If it was more than a few, the tire is done. Don't bet your Ass on a questionable tire!!

 

[1duckyboy]

Take your off your front wheel. Have them check the tightness of the tube valve. If the tube valve is tight, buy a new tube and have the shop install it after feeling the inside of the tire for any projections that may have punctured the original tube. Have them mark the tire placement on the rim so it doesn't have to be rebalanced. A chrome steel rim shouldn't be a problem for any shop.

 

[Faint]

A bicycle shop may also be able to do this. Check with them, too.

 

[blabber]

A bicycle shop may also be able to do this. Check with them, too.

Get em to give it a tune up while its there.

 

[MOTOKITER]

Taking your tire off isnt that difficult. I dont have a front tire stand so I loosen the bolts before I hang the front end from the rafters in my garage. After hanging the front end a bit off the ground I proceed to take off the wheel.

Your tube is very likely toast, if the stem is damaged. Happens a lot on bicycles if the tube/stem are not aligned in the rim correctly. Over time the stem wears and eventually fails.

I've always ordered my tires online, taken off the wheels and taken them to a motorcycle shop to get mounted. If you've got any mechanical skills it's really not that difficult. Put it back on just how you took it off. Good luck and you may want to order and or make sure the shop has a new tube.

 

[h2omonkey]

tire

If you really want to take it somewhere, take it to a Harley shop, they deal with spoked wheels all day and they have tubes for the v-rod that will work in our bikes.

 

[belteshazzar]

Thanks for the feedback and help. It is appreciated!

Happy Fourth of July everyone.