Help with tubular tires
 

I have one bike with tubular tires and patch/re-sew them when they get flats. Could use some help on the following:

-is there an easy way to locate the source of the leak in a punctured tubular? If the hole is big enough, I can hear where the air is escaping but in 2 cases the tires have a very small, slow leak and I can't locate the hole.

-I have one tubular where the base tape was old and became brittle and unglued from the casing. Where can I purchase new base tape and what is a good adhesive to use to re-attach the base tape to the tubular?

Thanks.

How slow is the leak?

Inflate the tire and hold it underwater, look for bubbles.

Or, clamp the tire (between soft wood pawls so you don't damage it) in two spots, splitting it into two "independent" air compartments, and see which half goes flat. Repeat until you've narrowed it down.

I've never had a tubular tire last long enough to rot the base tape away, so I can't help you there!

Thanks.

The leak is slow enough that it takes several hours to fully deflate from 100-110psi.

I've done the water trick with clincher tubes, but is that a good idea with a tubular? Won't the water get into and possibly stay in the casing?

I like the 'compartment' ideas, but since the leak is so slow, it will take quite a while to narrow it down.