Can Anyone Explain This?

[HotRodZilla]

So, this morning I was taking my oldest daughter on a 200 mile ride to Girl Scout camp. As always before a long ride, I went over the bike and got a surprise.

Remember, right before SW-FOG I patched a Metzler SportTech M3 and had it installed. Went to the meet and back, and made some short trips around here. Prolly 2k on the tire since I installed it.

So last night, around 2230, I went outside to check tire pressure. After some WTF moments, I realized the rear was totally flat. Well, ****, so I started looking for nails. Nothing! I even found the mark from the patched hole and it was sealed tight. I finally gave in and grabbed a spray bottle with solution.

I found the leak long the right side of the bead. I could see what looked like a piece of plastic between the bead and rim. I thought something got stuck in there during the tire change, so I pulled the valve and grabbed some clamps. I was concerned the plastic went around the rubber to the interior.of the tire.

When I got it opened enough to see, I found this:

It is a SMALL label I think. About the thickness of a piece of paper and plastic. I used the ChapStick for size reference. I used my knife to pick a corner up, grabbed it with needle nosed pliars and pulled it off. About half the glue stayed stuck to the tire. I didn't want to poke with NY knife too much, so I released the clamps and filled the tire. Around 20lbs, the whole fricking bead leaked. At 35, the rest of the bead sealed, but where that label was still leaked.

I clamped the tire again and used my knife to scrape all the glue out. I tried to get my big fingers on there with steel wool, but didn't have much luck. I did see that the tire has an indention created for or by that label. I scraped the edges trying to smooth it down. I re-inflated the tire to 60lbs to make sure the bead was set. This time, no leaks.

I reduced the tire to 43lbs and told my daughter if there was less than 42.5lbs in the morning, we would have to take the truck. I got up at 0700 and it still had 43lbs. WooHoo, but, WTF??

I have checked that tire a few times and it was always right. It was over a week ago when I parked it last and the front was down a few lbs. I'm wondering if the rear lost enough to let that area around the label to leak.

I'm not sure if I should be pissed that the tech installed that tire with that piece there or if that's common. I'm not sure because I handled that tire a few times and never noticed it.

Anyone know why someone would put a plastic label along the bead of the tire? Thank God my daughter was still up. Woulda taken me forever to fix that without her. Oh, and the tire still gas 43lbs after a 350 mile day...Camp wasn't quite 200 miles.

 

[Bugnatr]

Weird **** just happen, nice catch. Doubt the tech saw it but then again few care as much as we do, it's just a job. Sounds like you got it nailed fixed and holding air. Now you can just ride more.

I plugged a PR2 on the Katoom 2 months ago. Holds air real nice.

 

[SacramentoMike]

I thought you were saying you lost your Chapstick when you changed the tire--and it finally turned up!

 

[Fred W]

That is weird. What brand of tire was it and where did you purchase it from? Shipped to you or to the store that original;ly mounted it? Were there any ink or markings left on the label that might give a clue as to what the label's intent was?

I've noticed a painted on bar-code on the bead of (most?) Michelin tires that has given me pause as to why they put it right where the tire bead seals. But that never seems to have resulted in any leakage. A paper label would clearly be a whole different thing.

 

[BkerChuck]

I've seen a few tires come in to our dealership with bar code labels on the bead area. I know our techs have all been taught to remove all labels before mounting tires.

 

[lonerider]

Glad you found that at home and not out on the road somewhere. I've never seen a plastic label on a tire, but have seen some paper bar codes on sidewalls. Just finished mounting a set of Metzler 880s on the Madura; there wasn't anything in the bead area on them.

 

[Geezer]

I have had tires with a plastic label almost embedded into the rubber at the bead area. I pulled it off a couple of tires, but was afraid that I was causing more damage than good, so the last couple of times I left it alone. I think it was a bar code or something like that. I didn't see it on the last set of tires I mounted. I have used nothing but Pilot Roads for the past several years, so it must have been PR2s or PR3s. Still, I never had one cause a leak.

 

[exskibum]

I have had tires with a plastic label almost embedded into the rubber at the bead area. I pulled it off a couple of tires, but was afraid that I was causing more damage than good, so the last couple of times I left it alone. I think it was a bar code or something like that. I didn't see it on the last set of tires I mounted. I have used nothing but Pilot Roads for the past several years, so it must have been PR2s or PR3s. Still, I never had one cause a leak.

I've seen and wondered about those, too.

I use the vegetable based tire lubricant (in a spray bottle) that came with the Cycle Hill mounting stand for getting the old tire off the wheel, but scrupulously stick with the NAPA commercial "Tire Mounting Lubricant" for mounting a new tire. Seems that I read somewhere that it helps seal when it dries, and it does seem it sticks the bead to the rim, judging from what I notice when I break the bead to dismount them. Of course, this could just be my old-tymers syndrome acting up, too.

 

[Iris]

"...............I've noticed a painted on bar-code on the bead of (most?) Michelin tires that has given me pause as to why they put it right where the tire bead seals. But that never seems to have resulted in any leakage. A paper label would clearly be a whole different thing.................."

Jim and I noticed the same thing. In fact the size looks the same as in the OP photo. We tried picking it off once and it was really flush with the tire and wouldn't budge. We figured we'd leave it. We have never yet had an issue with it but we always check to make sure they are fully adhered.

I think it's dumb that they put that stupid bar code right there......IMHO.

 

[TomInPA]

I noticed the tech left a small bar code label on the T30 rear tire at the bead. I remeoved the exposed part, but I know there is a paper label along the bead in that spot...now you gave me something to worry about.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Thanks all. I guess I just haven't paid attention. I have seen the barcodes, as I'm usually pretty interested in the construction of new tires. I think they're cool, so I look them over. I have always seen them stamped on, but never a plastic label.

I never noticed this piece of plastic, so I don't know if it was a barcode or not. I'm assuming it was, but there are absolutely no remnants of that. I'd think there'd be something left. What bugs me us I never saw it. Never thought to look.

Like others, with the edges I scraped, there is a small void in the tire where this was; like it was pressed in there. I can't figure out why they'd put anything other than rubber there. Kinda stupid if you ask me.

Fred, the tire is a Metzler SportTech MP3 that I got from a Forum member. I donno if it was a dealer or on-line purchase, but it was very close to new when I got it.

In my entire life, I have never had a tire leak at the bead. I've done some heinous stuff to tires to get dirt and rocksin tthere and cause a leak, but never had one just start leaking. I guess I will keep a better eye out from now on.

 

[Bounce]

Saw a photo in this past month's MCNews on tire changing bars. Sure enough there's a bar code label right in the bead of the tire they're mounting.

 

[blassoff]

I have had tires with a plastic label almost embedded into the rubber at the bead area. I pulled it off a couple of tires, but was afraid that I was causing more damage than good, so the last couple of times I left it alone. I think it was a bar code or something like that. I didn't see it on the last set of tires I mounted. I have used nothing but Pilot Roads for the past several years, so it must have been PR2s or PR3s. Still, I never had one cause a leak.

I've seen and wondered about those, too.

I use the vegetable based tire lubricant (in a spray bottle) that came with the Cycle Hill mounting stand for getting the old tire off the wheel, but scrupulously stick with the NAPA commercial "Tire Mounting Lubricant" for mounting a new tire. Seems that I read somewhere that it helps seal when it dries, and it does seem it sticks the bead to the rim, judging from what I notice when I break the bead to dismount them. Of course, this could just be my old-tymers syndrome acting up, too.

I too I use the napa tire lube and yes, when it dries it gets tacky, so it should help seal the bead. That's what I've found on my tire changes.

 

[HotRodZilla]

So, I had to look this thread up...

I'll say it loud right now: I WILL NEVER PUT ANOTHER METZLER TIRE ON MY BIKE...EVER!

So, I took my wheels in to have my new Roadsmart 2s installed. I knew the front was toast, but this Metzler was wearing fine, so I wanted it back. I was going to throw a sport tire on the front and put this Metzler back on the rear after these Dunlops are done. Easy and cheap.

When I got back to Bobby J's, the service manager asked me if I was sure I wanted the tire. Then he showed it to me. The rubber was coming off the bead, all around the tire. Like it was dry rotted, but it wasnt. The tech that always works on my bike took it off and was surprised when the tire started to crumble.

Rob and I looked for the date on the tire and couldn't find it, which was weird. Then we talked about that leaky plastic label. The tech said that was frigging stupid and couldn't figure out why it was put there. Either way, that label was the least of my worries now as about 50% of the bead was bare steel wiring.

I got my money out of the tire, considering I got it cheap. However, if I had bought it new, I woulda been mad. There was a lot of tread left. I'm thinking with the 1500 miles I put on, the tire had 2500 or less miles and was only a couple years old.

I had them toss it. Not worth dying for. Lol...Oh well. Still, two issues with the same tire does not instill much confidence. Maybe it was just a bad one, but I won't try another to find out.

I shoulda taken pictures, but I forgot. Sorry!

 

[Fred W]

Metzler is German for poopie.

 

[majicmaker]

Metzler is German for poopie.

 

[SkooterG]

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="Fred W" data-cid="1174891" data-time="1409864523"><p>

Metzler is German for poopie.</p></blockquote>

:rofl:

So true. So true.

Fred! The transformation ifs amazing! The '14 ES FJR has converted you from a Northeastern Elitist Snob to an All Knowing and Powerful Forum Funny Man.

Simply incredible!

 

[HotRodZilla]

Wow...Fred is smarter than he looks. Amazing!!

 

[wfooshee]

One would hope that most of us are........