Hi all, I’m 500 miles into my first riding season. I thought I’d check the tire pressure and add air as needed. I have a flexible tire gauge so that wasn’t a big struggle. But using the air pump at the gas station was impossible. Any tips for a new rider wanting to stay on top of tire pressure? Should I pick up one of these adapters to bring with me when I plan to pump up?
I carry around one of the angled adapters on the bike. But on my last 3 bikes when i do the first tire change i have these installed.https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Pcs-Blac...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 First 2 times i went with the Kurvy Gurl units at $28.00 a pair. On my V-1000 i went with the eBay cheapies and they work just as well..
Thanks for this suggestion.:grin2: I just ordered them off Ebay in red to help with a quick observance. Early today I had just done a pressure check and fill and was really ticked off again at having a hard time using a tire gage and my tire pump won`t connect so I do use my bike pump.
I installed aluminum 90 degree valves to make it easier to check/inflate my tires, but each ride I check the tires as truckers do - by hitting them w/ a mallet, on the tread.
Before doing that the FIRST time, I took the pressures way down, hit them, then reinflated to the correct pressure and hit them again so I had some "muscle-memory" of what I was looking for.
FWIW - the first 90 degree valves I put in were similar to that 90 degree 'extension' in your first image, but included the rubber part that goes thru, then "seats" in the hole in the rim. I DO NOT recommend them, as somehow they were able to move enough to flatten my tire, probably from centrifugal force, WHILE I was riding.
Also dittos on installing a 90 degree metal valve when doing the next tire change. Unless you love your tires right now, go ahead and swap to better tires! There's no reason to ride around on crappy tires. You can sell them to help offset the price of new rubber that will inspire a lot more confidence.
I use a towel for removing the rattle of course, wrapping tire plugs and both tools (file and inserter), pen type air gauge, knife to cut the plug, some safety wire and a stick of jb weld..)
Don,t understand as to why you cant inflate your tires in Gas station. anyway I inflate mine at gas station and check pressure with my own gauge as i don,t trust the reading at gas station.
Don,t understand as to why you cant inflate your tires in Gas station. anyway I inflate mine at gas station and check pressure with my own gauge as i don,t trust the reading at gas station....
Over here in the US and Canada - MANY 'service' stations DO NOT have compressors for the public, and that might be due to liability issues. Plus, by the time you get to a place w/ a compressor your tires have already warmed-up, so you're NOT getting a really good idea of your pressures.
Woops , I didn`t check close enough. I thought these just screwed on to the original valve stems. Didn`t notice they replaced them entirely.If the time comes when I need a new tire I would have it replaced and the new stem put on at the same time, but that could be awhile away.
PS , I bought a set of the ones BWM posted in the picture on the left. Might take a couple weeks to get here, but like I said earlier I just did a check and fill so no hurry.
I followed Joe's advice, first I checked with my local tire dealer, they had 90' valve stems for Gold-wings, so I bought them off Ebay, once they came in I changed to PR-5 and had the ones I bought installed, absolutely love them, pointed towards the right side of the bike. Now there is a simple improvement Kawasaki could make.
Rear
Got those adapters on today . They screw right on to the existing valve and just leave them on. You can aim them in any direction. I mount mine to the side but a little to the rear. When my others show up that replace the existing valve I would have them installed then but I don`t really see any need now.
Over inflate by a pound or two then take the extension off. The problem with the extensions is that they will flex the rubber valve stem and may cause it to leak. The rotational load is off center. If you replace the rubber valve stem with a 90 deg. solid metal stem you will have the best of both worlds. Solid mount and access to the stem.
I still cannot visualize how you cannot use a standard 45-60 degree air chuck from a gas station.
Same for pen air gauges.
Even a 135 degrees trucker's air gauge works on the front, and also on the rear is you bend the stem away a bit.
There is not plenty of space, but enough space. You just bring the chuck/gauge along the wheel and disk, NOT perpendicular.
The only chucks that don't work are those bulky ones with a flipping head to squeeze the stem. Some are small enough but most are just a bit too long.
Which is why I suggested a pump with a tube that screws on (post #5)
Honestly, you will be more comfortable manual pump. it's a lot safer to have the pump with you and not depend on gas stations.
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