Roller diameter after a being used a lot of seasons

The bearing rollers, all 20 of them

The wheel with its leaky tyre

Closeup of the hub

The Leak is inside the orange triangle. Does anyone have an idea how to fix it?

you can get those little plugs that work on real tires at walmart. I think you basicly shove a plug in through the hole with a wire type thingie. I wonder whether they would work. I am not sure though, they might rely on higher PSI. Worth a shot though I am sure given the $$ to replace one of those tires.

Thanks for the suggestion, it could be worth a shot because it wouldn't involve lifting the tyre from the rim. I'll try to locate a kit like that in the good old Netherlands.

Reminds me of the tire repair kit they gave my Granddad when he rode a motor-bicycle for the Post Office, Fresno, CA, 1906...a knitting needle, a package of rubber bands and a foot pump with the instructions to keep stuffing them in 'til it stops leaking.

Add some superglue and something to scratch up the area around the leak and thats about all you need to fix a leaky tube or tyre especially one running less then 5psi.

Darryn
Mozzie
1782

Those tire repair kits do not work in side walls and most are for tires with steel belts. Just install a inner tube or patch the leak from the inside at a tire shop.

Second that - get an inner tube and it won't leak again.

Thanks for the responses, obviously fitting an inner tube is the best answer. Does anyone know where to get them in NL or do I have to order them on line? But if anyone knows of a quick fix some of us might still be interested.

Try these guys: http://www.buggywielen.nl/

Thanks for the tip Tony, just ordered the tubes.

I took delivery of the tubes last tuesday. Fitted them this evening, an easy job for a dutch boy used to fixing his own bicycle tyres. Took some pics to show how easy it is. Here's the wheel in its initial state, make sure is is supported on a flat surface that will prevent damage to the rim.

Spray some glass cleaner to make the rim as slippery as possible, soapy water works fine aswell

Use a pair of pliers to rip out the valve

Probably you won't rip out the whole valve, but don't worry as long as the air can get out you're fine. The valve is destroyed but you won't need it anymore, the tube has its own valve. You can remove what's left of the valve in the rim later.

Now the air can move freely out of the tyre, it's time to break the bead. This means unseating the tyre from the rim. You do this by applying downwards pressure on the sidewall of the tyre as close to the rim as you can. Put both knees on the tyre and use your thumbs to push down as hard as you can.

If things get tough this is a quick way to break the bead http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/bead-breaker/motorcycle-tire-bead-breaker.htm

The first tyre went off easier than the second, so enter the wedge which I could put very close to the rim and lean on, which did the trick. If this fails, the link in the previous post shows a method that wil work any time.