RNFWP
Member
Posts: 423
"What color blue is that?"
Greenville, SC
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« on: March 08, 2021, 08:45:42 PM » |
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Just put the tire on about 6 months / 1,500 miles ago. It began loosing a few lbs psi each day a couple of weeks back. I started by rolling the bike a foot at the time and looking for foreign objects. Nothing... Put it on the lift and slowly checked everything with soapy water. Seems it might be the valve stem. The leak is so slow it's hard to tell. I have a metal 90 degree valve stem with nut, metal washer and rubber washer on the outside. I replaced the tiny valve inside the stem with a new one. Put a new rubber washer under the metal one. (Went to half a dozen places to find one the right size (finally found it at Grainger(bag of 100, anybody need one?  ))). The plumbing supply got close but the 3 major auto parts stores were useless. The leak is even slower now. Uuggh. If no one has a better idea... next I'll buy an all new valve stem. Take the front wheel off and have someone install it. I don't have the tools or compressor to break the bead and reseal it myself. I could borrow one but don't like doing that. Other peoples stuff has a tendency to break or die... I end up buying a new one and still don't have one myself. (has happened more than once) I won a set of valve stems at InZane but they are smaller (diameter) than what I'm currently running. (was surprised by that) What size should they be? This stem is on it's 3rd tire BTW. Do you need a new stem with each new tire? Thanks for listening. Ross |
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"My dog is one of my favorite people"
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Gideon
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« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2021, 01:32:03 PM » |
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I use the Chrome Valve, Brand Name BikeMaster from my local Dealer. They usually cost about $3. I get a new one with each tire change.  |
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But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2021, 02:33:11 PM » |
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When trying to diagnose a very slow leak, the thing to do is air it up over normal (like 50-55lbs, not a 175 lb explosion), then take a soapy mix of warm/hot water and dish soap, and dab it around the valve stem, and beads around the rim (both sides), and in the tread for holes, and look for bubbles to show you where it is. Carefully push the valve stem to and fro with soapy water, but not to the point of damage. Change a bad schrader valve (inside the valve stem) if necessary. Give yourself plenty of bright light (like a headband LED).
Mark the leak with something.
It's easier to do this with the wheel up in the air; easy to spin and work with.
Do not forget you are at 50-5 lbs, and let the air out after you've isolated the leak.
Then fix it or get it fixed. (once you know exactly where it is)
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« Last Edit: March 09, 2021, 02:36:15 PM by Jess from VA »
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Pete
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« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2021, 04:57:49 PM » |
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If you are still having trouble get a kiddie pool, remove the wheel and put it under water in the pool.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2021, 05:06:48 PM » |
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If you are still having trouble get a kiddie pool, remove the wheel and put it under water in the pool.
If you take it off, I suppose you could use the bath tub.  |
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RNFWP
Member
Posts: 423
"What color blue is that?"
Greenville, SC
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« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2021, 06:34:03 PM » |
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Thanks Gents. Good ideas/advice all around. With some advice from Mike (HubcapSC)(Thanks Mike) I decided to attempt a stem replacement with the wheel still on the bike. I went out and bought a 8" C clamp. I have to admit that it took me more than a few tries to get it to work. How do you hold two boards, a clamp and tighten it all at the same time  Persistence paid off... Wasn't going to fix this from the outside... (looks worn from checking the pressure (pushing on it often))  Here's the InZane valve installed...  My lesson learned is to put on a new stem with each new tire. Ross |
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"My dog is one of my favorite people"
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15201
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2021, 07:58:27 PM » |
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Not sure that's necessary, I've been running the same metal valve stems for close to 10 years. They were installed with Loktite on the threads initially and have never leaked, even through a number of tire changes. And...they're the type with the nut on the inside.  |
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The emperor has no clothes
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« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2021, 08:21:15 PM » |
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Thanks Gents. Good ideas/advice all around. With some advice from Mike (HubcapSC)(Thanks Mike) I decided to attempt a stem replacement with the wheel still on the bike. I went out and bought a 8" C clamp. I have to admit that it took me more than a few tries to get it to work. How do you hold two boards, a clamp and tighten it all at the same time Persistence paid off... Wasn't going to fix this from the outside... (looks worn from checking the pressure (pushing on it often)) Here's the InZane valve installed... My lesson learned is to put on a new stem with each new tire. Ross If it’s got any movement when you check pressures it’s not tightened up enough. I’ve had the same metal stems for 50k. |
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Factor
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« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2021, 06:01:15 AM » |
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I had a similar slow leak on an Interstate that I had trouble finding until I jacked the pressure up to 70 lbs. Turns out there was a deformation on the bead from a tire iron that needed to be sanded out.
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Steve
VRCC# 38798
'75 Hoda GL1000 Project
'83 GL1100 MonkeyWing
'70 Suzuki T500 Titan
'99 Valkyrie Tourer
'64 MGB
'89 Isuzu Trooper 3.4L
IBA #58082
All my stuff is old. It makes me feel young.
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CoreyP
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« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2021, 08:56:15 PM » |
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I have had a problem in the past with tubeless tires where the rim was actually corroded and the bead just wasn't set. I don't fool with valves, not worth the price. Just put new ones in when you change the tires. I would say that on big cruising bikes not bikes that you change tires a lot. If you burn through a set of tires in a year or a month I wouldn't change them.
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Ramie
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« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2021, 09:32:28 AM » |
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I had to replace a cobra a few years ago when I found about 10 pinholes in the tire. It was a slow leak but couldn't find it until I took a reinforced plastic lined cardboard box and filled it with enough water to find the leaks
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“I am not a courageous person by nature. I have simply discovered that, at certain key moments in this life, you must find courage in yourself, in order to move forward and live. It is like a muscle and it must be exercised, first a little, and then more and more. A deep breath and a leap.”
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16597
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2021, 03:32:41 PM » |
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...
I won a set of valve stems at InZane but they are smaller (diameter) than what I'm currently running. (was surprised by that) What size should they be? This stem is on it's 3rd tire BTW. Do you need a new stem with each new tire?
...
This troubles me. If you won a set at InZane they are the correct size for the Valkyrie. It's a very standard size (.452). I've not used ones with the nut on the outside but what I've used have been on for a long time and a lot of miles. If what you're using is a different size it's the wrong size. |
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RNFWP
Member
Posts: 423
"What color blue is that?"
Greenville, SC
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« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2021, 08:56:31 PM » |
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...
I won a set of valve stems at InZane but they are smaller (diameter) than what I'm currently running. (was surprised by that) What size should they be? This stem is on it's 3rd tire BTW. Do you need a new stem with each new tire?
...
This troubles me. If you won a set at InZane they are the correct size for the Valkyrie. It's a very standard size (.452). I've not used ones with the nut on the outside but what I've used have been on for a long time and a lot of miles. If what you're using is a different size it's the wrong size. Thanks giving the size I'll save that as a reference point. I've installed the valve I got at InZane and of course it fit and works fine. My previous stem had been fine too, the nut/threads are slightly larger diameter while the rubber slightly smaller. Guess I it would be more accurate the say that the ratio is different rather than the size. Do you use the same stem through multiple tire changes or get a new one each time? |
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"My dog is one of my favorite people"
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Bighead
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« Reply #13 on: March 13, 2021, 05:28:27 AM » |
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No need to change a metal stem with each change. OEM rubber ones HELL YES.
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8724
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #14 on: March 13, 2021, 06:42:35 AM » |
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It is hard to be certain by just looking at the photo, but it looks to me that the stem that was leaking was not installed properly, (rubber washer not centered in the hole in the wheel, and resulted in the washer deforming and eventually leaking.
I use the same metal stem over and over, no need to change with each tire, but if it gives some folks peace of mind, go for it. It's your money.
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 Troy, MI |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16770
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #15 on: March 13, 2021, 07:52:29 AM » |
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While screwing down the metal roof on my motorcycle shed I was
reminded over and over that too-tight is as bad or worse than
not-tight-enough when it comes to rubber washers. I'd guess that
applies to the grommets on the metal valve stems too.
-Mike
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Bighead
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« Reply #16 on: March 13, 2021, 04:40:26 PM » |
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No need to change a metal stem with each change. OEM rubber ones HELL YES.
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1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16597
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #17 on: March 13, 2021, 07:51:18 PM » |
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... Do you use the same stem through multiple tire changes or get a new one each time?
Honda recommends changing the OEM stems alternating tire changes because there is rubber exposed to the elements and bending. No such exposure exists with the all metal stems. The only rubber in the all metal stem sets are the seals. Those seals, not exposed to the elements, should last a long time. Ten years? Twenty years? I'm not sure because I've not had any wear out. |
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