justputzn Scooter Rider

Number of posts: 19 Age: 68 Location: Salem, Oregon Points: 1094 Registration date: 2009-06-19
 | Subject: Valve stems Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:26 pm | |
| Am I the only one that is having difficulty putting air in the tires? I don’t have large or fat hands just a bit over average. I try to check/put air into the tires every couple of weeks for better tire wear, safety and MPG. I have to lay on my stomach and before I am through I am sweating like a painter painting a white line down the middle of the free way during rush hour. Who ever designed that part of the Swing had a sick since of humor or is still upset about August 1945. I purchased some valve stem extenders both straight and 90 degrees and that helped some. |
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exavid Silver Wing Rider

Number of posts: 412 Age: 69 Location: Medford, Oregon Points: 1480 Registration date: 2009-07-17
 | Subject: Re: Valve stems Sun Mar 21, 2010 9:03 pm | |
| Be careful with the valve stem extenders. At speed the extra weight on the valve stem can cause stress due to the centrifugal (actually centripetal) force of the spinning wheel. Not to mention they are heavy enough to need to rebalance the wheel with them on. I do agree with you about the tires being a bother, Personally I think the front one is worse and should have been a 90 degree stem. These things are a good argument for a pressure sensing valve cap or electronic pressure senders as some bikes are now using. Like these: http://www.intellivalve.com/index.html |
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justputzn Scooter Rider

Number of posts: 19 Age: 68 Location: Salem, Oregon Points: 1094 Registration date: 2009-06-19
 | Subject: Valve stems Mon Mar 22, 2010 12:14 am | |
| My mistake, I should have mentioned that I only use the extensions when I put air in the tires. |
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Cosmic_Jumper Touring Scooter Rider

Number of posts: 303 Location: damn near Philadelphia, PA Points: 1447 Registration date: 2009-06-12
 | Subject: Re: Valve stems Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:36 am | |
| | exavid wrote: | . These things are a good argument for a pressure sensing valve cap or electronic pressure senders as some bikes are now using. Like these: http://www.intellivalve.com/index.html |
Unfortunately, the electronic pressure senders don't negate the need to do the 'Curly Shuffle' on the tarmac when it comes time top off the air pressure.
The pressure senders are a great idea though
Tim |
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exavid Silver Wing Rider

Number of posts: 412 Age: 69 Location: Medford, Oregon Points: 1480 Registration date: 2009-07-17
 | Subject: Re: Valve stems Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:59 pm | |
| Nope, they don't completely negate the time spend on old arthritic knees but would help. One of the handiest things in my garage is my creeper and a hunk of sponge rubber I can kneel on. |
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dspevack Site Admin

Number of posts: 1142 Age: 47 Location: Miami, FL Points: 2583 Registration date: 2008-12-27
 | Subject: Re: Valve stems Mon Mar 22, 2010 7:48 pm | |
| I notice it says, "Motorcycle applications coming soon." This will be a very interesting system to watch. Dan _________________ I ride on two wheels cause I feel very unsafe on one wheel.Dan in Miami. The king of custom! Check out my bike mods hereReality is irrelevant. Its perception that counts. Control people's perceptions, and you control their reality. |
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JeffR Site Admin

Number of posts: 1672 Age: 52 Location: Fremont, Ca Points: 2942 Registration date: 2008-12-19
 | Subject: Re: Valve stems Mon Mar 22, 2010 8:02 pm | |
| I have my own compressor and I put a long inflator on it so the back is much easier for me. I also bought an electronic air gauge that can go straight into the valve stem. They could have made it easier though. When I used to use the inexpensive type of air gauge, the one with the white stem that pops out to tell you how much air you have, it was a real pain in the butt. You might want to just buy a cheap compressor, they only cost about 30-40 dollars. _________________ Ride safe, JeffR 2007 Silver Wing (30,000 miles) 2005 Majesty 400 (sold 12,500 miles) 2004 Reflex (sold 3,500 miles) Givi Windshield, top case, vista cruise, power commander, dr pulley sliders, air hawk seat pad, (J. Costa not installed now), kevlar belt  |
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