Rear Flat - remove exhaust help

mikepistone · Post by **mikepistone** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:19 am

I got my first flat today -- and I am trying to remove my rear wheel to either repair or replace the tire.

The Buddy manual is laughably simple (remove exhaust, remove wheel nut, remove wheel...) and I was wondering if anybody had any tips (I have already searched and didn't come up with much).

Specifically to removal of the exhaust. I can see the bolts to take out to loosen the pipe, but it doesn't look like it flexs at all, so do I disconnect it at the base?

Thanks,

Mike

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Mon May 04, 2009 2:24 am

There are 2 long acorn nuts up at the top of the header (where it connects to the scooter). Then there are 2 more bolts (one on top and one on bottom of the exhaust, attached to a metal bracket). It helps to loosen or remove the bolt on rear black "tire-hugger" fender that's closest to the exhaust. I can get some pics tomorrow afternoon if you haven't already figured it out by then...

broke · Post by **broke** » Mon May 04, 2009 4:05 am

Check out Olhogrider's post in the technical forum for replacing the rear seal:
topic9215.html

mikepistone · Post by **mikepistone** » Mon May 04, 2009 4:24 am

Perfect Broke!!! Thanks a ton. That is what I was looking for.

And Krusty -- thanks for the photo offer, but I think I am good now. Assuming I can find a 24mm socket somewhere.

broke · Post by **broke** » Mon May 04, 2009 7:56 pm

Hey Mike. Do you mind relating more details about the flat?
What tire?
How many miles on it?
Catastropic failure or slow leak?
etc...

(I'm paranoid about losing a tire at 45mph on my commute.)

mikepistone · Post by **mikepistone** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:21 am

No problem...

It is an 06 buddy 125 with original tires (not sure which ones, but stock 2006) and about 3500 miles on them, but decent tread left.

It was accelerating past 40, so I am guessing 45 Bmph, ~40 actual MPH. Hit something unknown, but it must have been small. I thought I heard a pop and then hiss but with the small windshield I can't hear crap reliabably at those speeds. My guess is it went from 35psi to 0 in about 10 seconds at most.

So I heard the hiss, but no wobble for 2-3 seconds, then a backend wobble/fish tail started as I braked normally and pulled over. Got off, front looked fine, which is where I thought I heard the hiss. Back looked fine. No visible signs of a flat. Started back up, got about 4 inches back down the road and could tell the back was flat.
I guess the tubeless hold their shape well when flat because it still looks normal.

Anyway, pushed it a bit to a safe location, slipped on some lose gravel on a hill and scraped part of the side (very minor but insult to injury, if you know what I mean) and called my insurance company for a tow home.

WHen I got home I couldn't fill the tire with my bike pump fast enough to get past 10 psi, so it's a pretty decent hole. I found it, and it looks like a nail or screw hole, but no culprit in sight.

All things considered I think the scoot handled great. My guess is that a total blowout (over inflation for example) would be a lot worse, and a front leak COULD increase the chance of losing control. I was a bit rattled but I will have no problem getting back on when I get it fixed.

Mike

Leeroy Jenkins · Post by **Leeroy Jenkins** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:36 am

where is the hole in the tire?

Maybe you do not need to remove it to repair.

Drumwoulf · Post by **Drumwoulf** » Tue May 05, 2009 12:43 am

broke wrote:Hey Mike. Do you mind relating more details about the flat?
What tire?
How many miles on it?
Catastropic failure or slow leak?
etc...

(I'm paranoid about losing a tire at 45mph on my commute.)

That's what's so good about tubeless tires!! Where a tube tire can give you a very fast blow-out, tubeless will usually give you enough warning to slow down without crashing... And if you carry a tubeless tire patch kit, many times you can even ride the scoot home!

Lagerhead · Post by **Lagerhead** » Tue May 05, 2009 2:36 am

mikepistone wrote: Assuming I can find a 24mm socket somewhere.

When I remove my rear wheel for tire replacement, I leave the brake drum (for lack of a better description, the part that's held on with a 24mm nut) mounted to the bike and remove the wheel by taking off the 5 smaller bolts that hold the rim to the drum.

I've pulled the drum before and it's a PITA compared to just unbolting the rim.

I think it would be harder to lever on a new tire with the drum still bolted to the rim as well but I've never tried that.

Chilly · Post by **Chilly** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 12:05 am

Just got a rear flat and need to remove rear wheel to bring to shop. Is it best(easiest) to remove using the 5 bolts or the main 24mm bolt?