Should have know better....

Scooter Bob

Scooter Bob
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Sun 06 Aug 2017, 15:18 Topic: Should have known better.......
Due to vacation, work travel and weather I have not had a chance to ride. Checked mileage (70/30) freeway and surface streets and its about 54 mph. Not to bad. I've been trying to learn to ride this thing and it has felt mushy in the curves. I haven't pushed it to hard. Yesterday I extended the front fender per instructions found elsewhere and it was easy. 3$ black bucket from Fleet Farm and Gorilla double faced tape.

Thought I might try out my new air gauge and what do I find but 20 psi in both tires. Either I have the same slow leak in both tires or the dealers mechanic needs to review specs. Raining again today so I can't see what 32 and 38 psi will do for handling. I've been riding since 1964 and I'm better than this....

Scooter Bob

I check tires on my cars and cycles on a regular basis and when they're in the shop I tell the service people to leave the tire pressure alone. Otherwise, the tire pressure is invariably too low or too high (more common) when the vehicle is finished.

Why not refer to owners manual and use the Honda recommended air pressure? Works for me.

I check the tires on my scooter every time I ride it. But then it has a TPM system on it. Seems to me it would be well worth it to put an aftermarket TMPS on most any bike. Ever hit something on the road and wonder if it punched a hole in your tire? A TPMS provides ease of mind. I never had one on a bike until I bought the GT but I'll put one on any bike after this one.

Thanks for all the response. It's something that I normally check weekly if I'm riding everyday. Performance was greatly improved (image that!) and I noticed a harder ride. I have Shenko tires that are near new. I'll check the recommended tire pressure tomorrow before I leave for work. I guess I would rather be a tad over pressure than under. Like I said, to much time between checking and trusting a technician can get you in trouble. Shame on me.

I use 30 psi front and 36 psi rear. I think Honda says 29 psi for the front so I am close. I check both my bikes about once a month. Usually little change. I would probably check more often but the rear on the Silver Wing is such a pain...

suggestion for rear----throw away the standard valve stem---buy from Honda short speed rated stem which allows pressure to be checked from left side---fits my standard chuck and pressure gauge=makes life easier.

Well, here's what I got to check my tires, hooks on, stays on, put air in through it, get the pressures right and disconnect it. And it's made in Chicago!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CJHU9W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Jon

Check that the valve cores haven't loosened off. I was losing pressure in the front, no obvious leaks, but I put about half a turn on the core with one of these

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/fuses-electricals-fixings/halfords-4-way-valve-tool

and cured it. (Typical Halfords rip-off price - lot more than I paid!)

You can buy alloy or brass tyre valve caps with a valve stem tool integral, the old East German MZ's had them. I'm thinking of plodding down to rip off Halfords in York this afternoon, after I decide which one of my umbrella collection to use. Caring on the German theme, today in York is what used to be printed on the back of some 1980’s German motorcycle rain suits,  'Sheisse Wetter'.

Meldrew wrote:

You can buy alloy or brass tyre valve caps with a valve stem tool integral, the old East German MZ's had them. I'm thinking of plodding down to rip off Halfords in York this afternoon,  

Still sell 'em, still ripping us off!
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/breakdown-essentials/halfords-metal-dust-caps-with-valve-key
They only downside I can see to them is if some little scrote whips the valve cap off and takes the core out!

I have a set of these on my car and on the Silver Wing  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BLACK-RICHBROOK-SPINNING-ANTI-THEFT-CAR-TYRE-VALVE-DUST-CAPS-/190604513702?epid=2020152499&hash=item2c60ea11a6:g:jQYAAOSwEHpZN9HQ

Anti-Theft dust caps...Really? You have a tire valve dust cap theft crisis in your faire lande?

It's at epidemic levels in London and it's not only the valve caps, there's organised gangs harvesting the nitrogen in the tyres.

Amazing, "Air Theft".

I did find these on Amazon - thought they were cute, but nothing as cool as the ones you showed. As you can see, if you lose the Allen Wrench you're, well, deflated. Leaving you with an "empty" feeling.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=dp_sp_detail_4?ie=UTF8&adId=A08596032C1VWI75N7US&qualifier=1502224271&id=4716813604219867&widgetName=sp_detail&url=%2Fdp%2FB0716GF59P%3Fpsc%3D1

Jon

I now MUST obtain a set. Next week. Pics to follow....

janitorj1 wrote:

Amazing,  "Air Theft".  

I did find these on Amazon - thought they were cute, but nothing as cool as the ones you showed.  As you can see, if you lose the Allen Wrench you're, well, deflated.  Leaving you with an "empty" feeling.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=dp_sp_detail_4?ie=UTF8&adId=A08596032C1VWI75N7US&qualifier=1502224271&id=4716813604219867&widgetName=sp_detail&url=%2Fdp%2FB0716GF59P%3Fpsc%3D1

Jon

These ones that I have are supplied with a special removal tool that I can keep on my keyring. My reason for having these is not so much that normal ones get stolen but it'll stop anyone from letting my tyres down and leaving me stranded.