Power Kite Forum

BigFootLights Tubes?

martinipro - 23-9-2013 at 08:39 AM

How does everyone run their BFLs? tubed or tubeless? Why?

Depending on how the questions above go, I may be looking for 2 tubes to fit BFLs on standard wheels. Need to get bugggys ready for WBB!! :roll:

BEC - 23-9-2013 at 12:12 PM

I need one for my front wheel only....never held air....brand new and I'm not dealing with that sh*t all the time so...If you find them I will help out with shipping if you pick me up 1....let me know...Can't wait to hang and see your new ride too.
Bruce :thumbup:

or I will see where other have gotten them.

3shot - 23-9-2013 at 12:25 PM

Don't have all the knowledge as most of you guys about buggies, but you may try deflating the tire until its loose on the wheel. Then use a mild diluted dish soap to wet the bead. Then inflate to max psi, then back down to desired pressure. Has always done the trick on mowers and other low psi applications. Just a thought.

BeamerBob - 23-9-2013 at 12:28 PM

I had a set for a few years and never felt the need for tubes. The beads seat easily since they are so wide. One problem is that in some cases you can get sand in the bead and it will not hold air with the sand in there. I think if you seat them good to start with and you don't let the air get too low and allow the bead to break and get the sand in there, you shouldn't need tubes. Tubes would add some weight but not really any other downside to running tubes.

BEC - 23-9-2013 at 12:37 PM

Maybe Murphy's law but....brand new and didn't hold air....then broke the bead...cleaned...greased...re inflated and about an hour later the same thing....front wheel only....the rears are fine and hold air now for 6 months so...I guess I will try it once more...I do have PL rims that have this funny test button....hit it a bunch of times waiting for the girl to appear from curtain #1 but never happened...wondered if that has something to do with air leaking out slowly

shehatesmyhobbies - 23-9-2013 at 01:57 PM

Martin, I do not run tubes but have had trouble holding air at times. I have found with the older PL rims that little cracks may form over time and slowly let some air out, of course the obvious sand as Bob said doesn't help either. I have also found that putting in new Stems/ valves will sometimes help as well. The little rubber piece on the stems will dry out after a while and release air slowly as well.

Bruce with your rims, the Newer PL rims, they have a "blow out" valve for hard impacts. Those rims are pretty beefy, but I have seen them get little cracks while installing the big foot lites or nanaco's or what ever big tire you may be trying to put on. But also check the stems. The little stem tool is like $4 at the local parts store and you can pull them out in about 5 seconds.

As far as finding tubes, yeah not sure where to tell you to go. We tried the local tractor store but just couldn't find the right ones

BEC - 23-9-2013 at 02:19 PM

Maybe Konrad can fill the tires with that "A" + "B" expandable foam for a NEVER FLAT BIGFOOT....:moon:

BeamerBob - 23-9-2013 at 03:05 PM

I'd brush some soapy water on them and look for a leak making new bubbles somewhere. Then you know what your real problem is.

bigkid - 23-9-2013 at 04:02 PM

Tubes in your Bigfoot tires will add weight and will also make them out of round and unbalanced.
At the brakeneck speeds you all crawl up and down the beach it shouldnt be a problem.:P you may notice a bit of bounce as you get up around 40mph or more, at which point you can balance them or add a few beads to each tire.
Any atv/motorcycle shop has the tubes. Wish I was able to show up, maybe next year.

shehatesmyhobbies - 23-9-2013 at 04:24 PM

Wish you were coming back as well Jeff, I am ready to torment you some more!:D

Hey now, we can go fast when the wind is here!

awindofchange - 23-9-2013 at 08:25 PM

I had this same problem a couple times. What I discovered is that the casting line on the rim was just big enough to not allow the tire to seat solid on the rim. Held it out so slightly that it would hold air good and wouldn't show any bubbles but overnight the thing was flat. What we did was sand down the little ridge from the casting of the plastic wheel so it was smooth, reseated the tire on the rim and all was good.

Not sure if this is your problem but may be one more thing to check.

bigkid - 24-9-2013 at 10:58 AM

Tubes in your Bigfoot tires will add weight and will also make them out of round and unbalanced.
At the brakeneck speeds you all crawl up and down the beach it shouldnt be a problem.:P you may notice a bit of bounce as you get up around 40mph or more, at which point you can balance them or add a few beads to each tire.
Any atv/motorcycle shop has the tubes. Wish I was able to show up, maybe next year.