'97 Elite (SA50) Inner Tube Questions

[Chisholm]

So, I had a tube blow out a few weeks ago at 35 mph
I bought a replacement tube from the local shop. The old one was 2.5x10, and that's what I asked for, but the guy brought back a 2.75/3.0x10 and said it would fit.
So, I installed the tube, but now the tire is out of round. I've checked it, deflated it and reinflated a few times, but the problem perisists. I also couldn't get the valve stem to seat properly. It's an angled one, and the base won't go flush through the rim; it might if I really beat on it. It's also not a screw in like the old one.

My question is whether my problem is user error or the wrong part. What do you guys think?

-BTW, the new tube is made in India by Prima.

[burnt_toast]

The inner tube size you installed is correct, since stock tire is 3.00-10

but if valve stem isn't fully seated then that could be throwing it off. try to find a proper straight stemmed tube if possible

[scooterwerx]

if the stem doesnt seat it will definitely not allow the tire to seat correctly. out of balance tires are a scary thing, especially when they are so small!

[Chisholm]

I've narrowed it down to the tire not seating.
How much air should I use to seat it? I've been pumping it to 40 psi, a la car tire, but it won't seat. Tried lubing it too.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

I'd remove the tire completely and check the bead for kinks and the carcass for any obvious flaws. Could it be that the tube went south because the tire's delaminating. There's a number stamped on the sidewall that indicates the week/year the tire was cooked. If it ends in 04 or less, just get a new one, unless your saftey's not worth $25. Most 5-year-old tires hold together just fine, but some don't.

[wiguy05]

out of balance tires are a scary thing, especially when they are so small!

I had a Spree tire blow out on me last year. Sounded like a gunshot at ~25mph. Almost dumped the bike too.

I will admit, the tire was pretty bad, too many one wheel peels with the new scoot

[Chisholm]

You've got a point Wheelman...
I examined it and it seemed okay when off the rim.
But you guys didn't answer my question, how much pressure does it usually take to seat the beads?

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

A tube-type tire on a tube-type rim will not need to "seat" violently like a car tire. I hand-mounted my Pirelli and a new tube, adding pressure with a foot pump. The tire found its way gradually down to the rim flange and was correctly centered without any special effort on my part. Of course it was a new tire...

[Chisholm]

Sounds like I won't go with my plan of finding a cage to put it in and taking it to 60ish.
Thanks Wheeldude.