K11 Owners Group

[RobBowker]

I just had the front tyre replaced ('97 K11 - 38k miles) as it was down to the last few mm of tread and was losing pressure slowly. I mentioned to the tyre guy that there was a slow leak but couldn't find a hole and he said the rim was a little corroded and the likely cause, but he'd rubbed it down a bit before installing the new tyre and "keep an eye on the pressure".

Well, it is still losing a few pounds of pressure each day - ridden or not. My guess is that the tyre needs to come off and some remedial work done to the bead seat.

Is my only option a full strip and powdercoat or are there less expensive but just as effective routes anyone can suggest?

The bearings are good and I understand they get trashed on removal. If I need a full paint job, is it strictly necessary to remove them?

Finally, failing a home-brewed solution, any recommendations for m/c wheel refinishers in the UK?

The rim is otherwise true and in good cosmetic condition.

Many thanks in advance.
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1998 K1100LT SE
1995 Honda NTV 650 P (now sold)
1986 BMW R80RT TIC (the money pit - sold)
1981 CX500B (sold)
1981 Honda C70 (sold)
1981 Honda C90 (written off on a gravelly bend!)
1960s BSA Bantam D7 (never did get it running)

[Flying Duck]

Could be the old rubber valve stem.

I upgrade mine when I change a tire.

BikeMaster 151402
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[RobBowker]

[Grunter]

It isn't unknown for an alloy rim to become porous over a time and this would give the problem you have. I had a Kawasaki many years ago and this happened to me.

I cured it by taking it to a specialist and he had the wheel powder coated inside the rim only, leaving the original paint outside. It didn't leak again. The downside of this with a 'K' is, if it is in the front wheels you will have to remove the wheel bearings because the heat during the powder coating will destroy their seals etc.

Still cheaper than a new wheel!
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1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

[superchicken]

The rims on my RS are pitted from 20+ years of riding. I have found that Slime can be put on the outside of the tire and the seal works! Used to be the air would ooze out. However this year the tires held up even in the below zero weather that did come through in January.
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Tim Lindstrom, ab0ts
1995 K 1100 RS
Columbia Heights, MN

[RobBowker]

Turned out as suggested. The valve was leaking but it only really "made foam" with the soap solution when it was losing a pound of pressure a day. I have never seen the inside of my rims so I asked the bloke who was fitting the new valve to report back. He said they were a bit rough but he cleaned them up well enough to seal and didn't need a repaint. Thanks for the advice and input guys. If anyone follows this thread. Make a strong solution and leave it a while where you think the leak might be. Small bubbles take longer to form than big bubbles but make a nice telltale froth, eventually. One learns... but it is a slow process. My usual tyre guy hates to replace m/c tyre valves for some reason. Maybe time to find someone new?
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1998 K1100LT SE
1995 Honda NTV 650 P (now sold)
1986 BMW R80RT TIC (the money pit - sold)
1981 CX500B (sold)
1981 Honda C70 (sold)
1981 Honda C90 (written off on a gravelly bend!)
1960s BSA Bantam D7 (never did get it running)

[SugarHillCTD]

I use something like this.


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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.