Author	[Modern View]
oldmanbishop 03-03-2013 05:20:33 173.86.15.104 Report to Moderator	I've got a flat rear tire on my 9n. The tires are weatherchecked but there is still enough tread left to give me enough traction for what I need. It is a fairly slow leak, but I don't think that sealant would do the job since it would get diluted by ballast. What do you guys think, just replace the tube? It would be great to put some new tires on there, but the cost might be hard to justify. I'd like to get it fairly reliable before the weather warms up. Thanks. [Reply]   [No Email]
soundguy 03-04-2013 11:45:17 184.240.49.245 Report to Moderator	Re: tires vs. tubes in reply to oldmanbishop, 03-03-2013 05:20:33   break the tire part way down.. if the tube looks good.. patch it.. if it looks less than good.. repalce it. your tolerance for tire breakdown can be the basis of forming the good / less than good opinion on the tube. IE.. if you thought breaking the tire down was easy.. and don't mind doing it again if the tube gives out in 2 weeks or 2 months.. then patch it.. save 40$. If the idea of breaking a tire down is something you want to avoid again till getting new tires ( years? ).. put a NEW tube in. either way.. make sure the old hole in the tire has a patch ont he inside and the hole-poker removed so it doesn't eat up the new /repaired tube.. ( on fronts.. I don't mind patching them.... on rears.. I think real hard on what 'good' looks like. :)   [Reply]  [No Email]
Ken(Ark) 03-04-2013 07:15:49 173.185.123.234 Report to Moderator	Re: tires vs. tubes in reply to oldmanbishop, 03-03-2013 05:20:33   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see Just my two cents , I have a few "cheap" tubes that I installed new and used for a year or two . I had a flat on the front and went to patch the tube when I noticed it was in very rough shape . It looked like it was forming cracks and drying out . If I buy tubes again ( inevitable ) I will probably buy a higher quality tube .   [Reply]  [No Email]
oldmanbishop 03-03-2013 09:59:55 173.86.15.104 Report to Moderator	Re: tires vs. tubes in reply to oldmanbishop, 03-03-2013 05:20:33   Thanks for the advice guys. I'm planning to just drive it to the garage and have them replace the tube and ballast. The leak should be slow enough for that.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Colin King 03-03-2013 07:18:06 71.49.82.117 Report to Moderator	Re: tires vs. tubes in reply to oldmanbishop, 03-03-2013 05:20:33   The tubes, as Jerry points out, last a long, long time. But they do eventually give up the ghost. If it's already been patched numerous times, it might be a good idea to invest in a new one. Colin, MN   [Reply]  [No Email]
Ultradog MN 03-03-2013 06:27:59 174.20.239.40 Report to Moderator	Re: tires vs. tubes in reply to oldmanbishop, 03-03-2013 05:20:33   I wouldn't assume anything about the tube. It likely is repairable and will last about forever. If the stem is bad a tire shop can put a new one on for a lot less than a new tube. I haven't priced a 28" tube for a while but the 30" tubes I bought last year were about $60 each.   [Reply]  [No Email]
01BIRDDOG 03-03-2013 05:59:45 50.147.88.242 Report to Moderator	Re: tires vs. tubes in reply to oldmanbishop, 03-03-2013 05:20:33   Had to do the same thing on my '52. I hate using the old tire but new rim, tube, and fluid plus labor even after you taking wheel to them really adds up in a hurry. Now i have one hat rim which is really good and one new style but i'm about over them being different.   [Reply]  [No Email]
curtsat15 03-03-2013 05:39:54 206.45.224.178 Report to Moderator	Re: tires vs. tubes in reply to oldmanbishop, 03-03-2013 05:20:33   Well regardless of what you do(barring sealant) you will have to drain and patch the tube. I would recommend buying a new tube, and keeping the old one and get it patched for a spare. I just had the left one on mine repaired and found that the rim was totally rotten around the valve stem (about 8" around), so I had to replace the outer rim. Total cost was $416.23; That's awful expensive to not get a new tire. I hope yours doesn't have this problem. I won't refill the tire again unless I can find something that won't rot the rims out. I am hoping the right side doesn't go the same way.   [Reply]  [No Email]