Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: new tires and tubes, harley davidson dealer, competent mechanic

Question
I just had new tubes and tires installed by a motorcycle tire shop and at 125 miles down the road I had a rear blowout. Luckily I was near a Harley Dealer and had the tow truck (flatbed) take it there for repair.
The Harley Dealer says the tube was pinched and the tire shop that originally installed it says no way. I have the tube and there is a hole in what would be the rim side. I am looking to recover my money that I had to put out for the repair after only 125 miles but since he says it is not his fault, I wanted to get another opinion.

Any ideas as to the cause?

Thanks,

Rick

Answer
Rick,

I can't answer your questions definitively since I cannot see the tube and I am also not an expert in tire changing. Based on your description of the events it certainly does sound as though the installation may not have been performed correctly. If you did not hit any potholes or other obstructions and the tube simply deflated, it sounds like the tube may have been pinched as the Harley dealer said.

The Harley Davidson dealer who did the repair work would be the best one to verify what he found when he unmounted the tire. The position of the puncture on the tube could also provide an indication of cause of the puncture. If there is no nail-type hole in the tire itself it would be hard to explain any other reason for the failure than improper mounting of the tube and tire.

I would ask the original installer what they would identify as the cause for the failure given the position on the tube of the puncture and lack of puncture hole in the tire.

Good luck. When you find a trustworthy and competent mechanic and technician hang onto them. The good ones are worth supporting with your business.

I'm sorry I could not give you a more definitive reply.

Thank you for the question,
Tom Wright