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'97 Elite (SA50) Inner Tube Questions
Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 7:42 pm
by 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.
Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 8:38 pm
by 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
Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 11:18 pm
by 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!
Re: '97 Elite (SA50) Inner Tube Questions
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 4:19 pm
by 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.
Re: '97 Elite (SA50) Inner Tube Questions
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:02 pm
by 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.

Re:
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:12 pm
by wiguy05
scooterwerx wrote: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

Re: '97 Elite (SA50) Inner Tube Questions
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:19 pm
by 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?
Re: '97 Elite (SA50) Inner Tube Questions
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 5:40 pm
by 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...
Re: '97 Elite (SA50) Inner Tube Questions
Posted: Thu May 28, 2009 7:01 pm
by 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.