Tire Valve accessory

[chicagorandy]

Those of us with the straight steel air valves know what a 'joy' it is check air pressure / add air in our tires.

It is no 'new' tech tip but I just bought one so I figure if it's new to me it may be news to others. What would ease the pain is a temporary 90 degeree air valve with internal pressure valve to prevent air loss during install/removal. And darned if they don't make one :



Under $15 from a a variety of online sources - here is just one -

http://trekdg.com/product/topeak-pressu ... aQodNo0Alw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It would imbalance the wheel to leave it in place all the time so I plan to carry it in one of the storage pockets on the bike and screw it in as needed. I still end up on the ground on my side trying to do the rear wheel - lol - but it should make the task much easier.

[SgtSlag]

Thank you!!!

I bought a pair of removable, 90-degree stems, but they lose too much air when taking them off... I've been cursing this "design feature" since 2010, when I purchased my V-XII. Meant to tell my mechanic to put in 90-degree stems when I had the tires changed, but I forgot.


This is a must-have for me. Thanks, again. You are correct: that rear tire is a beast to check, let alone add air to... My front has little clearance, as well, but certainly more than the rear! This is fantastic -- did not know they existed. Cheers!

[voyager55]

Get one of these. Made for bikes

http://www.roadgear.com/digital-tire-gauge-p-40.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Easy to use and it talks. Works great

[richardb, austin]

I do not have this but here's what I found:

http://www.amazon.com/Accu-Gage-RA60X-R ... ords=ra60x" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Of course you can't add air with this....$14.39 + frt (or not)

[Mr Jensee]

I have never understood why all tire pressure tools as well as hose fittings on pumps are all made at a 45 degree angle. Why is it so hard to make just ONE with a 90?
At $15 I am definitely ordering that!

[Skibou]

Thank You Randy. That's something I've always wished for. I recently posted for info on a portable tire inflator, and this little device will round out my kit nicely. Close to home for me Niagara Cycle, a bicycle shop in Niagara Falls N.Y. advertise it for $9.95, and they will ship. I'm still wintering down south, but I intend to pick one up on the way home.
Thanks also for all the replies regarding the inflator. I considered all the options offered, and finally went for the Harbor Freight compressor. It's a bit bigger and heavier, but it seems pretty rugged, and comes in a nice carrying bag, with space for a repair kit. Hopefully I'll never need to use it.

[chicagorandy]

Back when I was a long-suffering Ural sidecar rig owner with over 50,000 miles of use we used to call it "Reverse Voodoo" - the best way to insure a part would never fail was to carry along a spare.

[HawkeSHR]

Back when I was a long-suffering Ural sidecar rig owner with over 50,000 miles of use we used to call it "Reverse Voodoo" - the best way to insure a part would never fail was to carry along a spare.

...yes this does work sometimes...

[ghostler]

These are only $3 each, time to install would be at tire replacement. Fits 8mm hole, would it fit the Kawasaki rim?

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/ZZ21730

[ghostler]

I considered all the options offered, and finally went for the Harbor Freight compressor. It's a bit bigger and heavier, but it seems pretty rugged, and comes in a nice carrying bag, with space for a repair kit. Hopefully I'll never need to use it.

I see the merit in that. I've found that at many gas stations, the air compressors are dysfunctional or non-existent. Got a little sticker shock ($1.50 or more) to simply air up a tire, then no guarantees that they really work.

Skibou, I think you meant this one. I got this (currently $30) for one of my cages. Impressed when I had to use it, is all metal, cylinder will get hot but can stand up to getting hot. It's air pressure gauge matched the tire pressure monitoring system, so it is reasonably accurate too.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-ps ... 61788.html



I suppose that the very cheap $7 all plastic light duty ones could be a life saver, but being light duty might fail when most needed.

This is one that I brought with me sometimes:



I bought it at Wal-Mart for $9, it is metal, has a gauge and is compact enough to pack. I use my hand rather than foot to air up tires and does a decent job on motorcycle tires. Got the right angle connector making it easy to hook up.

However, I nearly wore myself out airing up an SUV tire.

[Skibou]

Yes, that's the one I bought. There's enough extra space in the bag to carry a repair kit. I'm looking around for a small quick 12 volt male/female plug in connector. I would like to replace the existing power plug with a male connector, and then make three power supplies with female connectors:
1. The power plug that comes with the compressor
2. Crocodile clips to connect to the battery
3. A plug to fit the connection for the on board battery tender hook up
This would give me maximum flexibility for bike or car, or to assist someone else. It looks like there would still be space in the bag to hold everything.

[Mr Jensee]

My son bought a Hyundai Velocitor when they first came out. It did not come with a spare but did come with a neat little air pump and patch kit. He had issues with the transmission and later traded it in on a Sonata that came with a spare tire. I got the pump and kit. It is small and fits easily in my saddle bag and does a great job of filling a tire quickly. I used to use a cheap pump from Harbor Freight, about the same size but this one is better quality. I gave the HF pump to my riding buddy to keep in his Concours saddlebags. I used to have that foot pump but it is made of soft metal and if you aren't careful pumping it, it will bend up.

[ghostler]

I'm looking around for a small quick 12 volt male/female plug in connector. I would like to replace the existing power plug with a male connector, and then make three power supplies with female connectors:

1. The power plug that comes with the compressor
2. Crocodile clips to connect to the battery
3. A plug to fit the connection for the on board battery tender hook up

This would give me maximum flexibility for bike or car, or to assist someone else. It looks like there would still be space in the bag to hold everything.

I used universal trailer style 2 pin connectors for my hookups.

Not shown is another one I did with a cigarette lighter style power socket. My bike has the corresponding charge connector tucked underneath the false tank cover when not in use. I can charge or power other devices from it.

I used to have that foot pump but it is made of soft metal and if you aren't careful pumping it, it will bend up.

It does if you use your foot to pump with. I use my arm instead. There I have more control and it has lasted me 4 years. I attribute that to the metal pump body with no plastic. Over the past 15 years, I've gone through a half dozen standard bargain tire pumps (you know, the ones at Walmart for $5 - $8 with plastic base that easily breaks or cracks). Some only lasted several uses. My parents bought an inexpensive pump in the 1960's. I used that pump for many years without breaking. I had to lubricate the leather seal several times, but it kept pumping.
Seems nothing today is made to last like 40+ years ago, unfortunately.

[doug of so fla]

"Quote" "Skibou, I think you meant this one. I got this (currently $30) for one of my cages. Impressed when I had to use it, is all metal, cylinder will get hot but can stand up to getting hot. It's air pressure gauge matched the tire pressure monitoring system, so it is reasonably accurate too." "Quote"

http://www.harborfreight.com/12v-100-ps ... 61788.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I also carry this one and have actually used it and works very well. Carrying case is very handy for packing other tire items in it
Fits well in saddle bag.

[Skibou]

Yes Ghostler, they would work well. I should have thought of that. After more than 40 years with all kinds of trailers and RV's, I have a bunch of these lying around somewhere. I'll see what I can dig up. Might not even cost me a penny!