OEM valve stem question

[Brian]

When I had my front tire mounted at the dealer I asked them to replace the original stem with an all metal Goldwing 90 degree stem. By time I got back to work there was a message on my phone stating that they were out of the wing stem but had a new OEM replacement. Wanting to get my bike back on the road I agreed to have this valve installed so I could get the wheel back that evening. My rear tire has the original stem from 97. My question here is, can this rubber stem be replaced without breaking the bead to gain access to the inside? I think I would rather go into the summer riding season with a new valve stem regardless if it is the rubber base type. I am not one to start messing with my own tires just yet.

All suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks,

[9Ball]

No...

[F6Dave]

While the OEM valve is not a very good design, a new one should last several years as long as the plastic retaining clip is in place.  If it were me, I'd buy a metal replacement and install it (or have it installed) at the next tire change.

[da prez]

  You can change them without taking the tire off the bike. A large deep C-clamp and a couple pieces of board. A little tricky , but not all that hard.

                                         da prez

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

While the OEM valve is not a very good design, a new one should last several years as long as the plastic retaining clip is in place.  If it were me, I'd buy a metal replacement and install it (or have it installed) at the next tire change.

Yep.

[Chrisj CMA]

When I had my front tire mounted at the dealer I asked them to replace the original stem with an all metal Goldwing 90 degree stem. By time I got back to work there was a message on my phone stating that they were out of the wing stem but had a new OEM replacement. Wanting to get my bike back on the road I agreed to have this valve installed so I could get the wheel back that evening. My rear tire has the original stem from 97. My question here is, can this rubber stem be replaced without breaking the bead to gain access to the inside? I think I would rather go into the summer riding season with a new valve stem regardless if it is the rubber base type. I am not one to start messing with my own tires just yet.

All suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Put it this way.  make darn sure that little plastic thing holding the stem is secure, you are overdue for a falure on the rear and if the holder gets gone, its likely to fail soon after at that age.

[Denny47]

Had a new E3 mounted last April and the A-holes didn't have the plastic thing to support the new stem. Have 11,000 on the tire at this time and have not had a problem other than when I check or air up the tire. Just be careful to support the stem when checking or adding air. I do have a new 90* metal stem when I have a problem. And I also have a new Dunlop Taxi tire on hand when this E3 wears out, looks like I may get another 3-5k on the E3.

[9Ball]

Had a new E3 mounted last April and the A-holes didn't have the plastic thing to support the new stem. Have 11,000 on the tire at this time and have not had a problem other than when I check or air up the tire. Just be careful to support the stem when checking or adding air. I do have a new 90* metal stem when I have a problem. And I also have a new Dunlop Taxi tire on hand when this E3 wears out, looks like I may get another 3-5k on the E3.

Bad move...this is a precurser to a catastrophic loss of air.  You need to have a support for that valve stem, even if it's wire.  Don't recommend pushing your luck any further....we'd like to keep you around!!!

[MP]

Had a new E3 mounted last April and the A-holes didn't have the plastic thing to support the new stem. Have 11,000 on the tire at this time and have not had a problem other than when I check or air up the tire. Just be careful to support the stem when checking or adding air. I do have a new 90* metal stem when I have a problem. And I also have a new Dunlop Taxi tire on hand when this E3 wears out, looks like I may get another 3-5k on the E3.

Please, put the metal stem in at your next tire replacement!

 You are going to use it "when I have a problem"?

If that valve stem breaks off, you lose air pressure RIGHT NOW!  You may not get a second chance. 

MP

[Patrick]

I'm not sure too many understand what its like to have a 'tire problem right now'. It gets your full attention. I'd sure recommend installing a new stem 'right now' no matter what kind it is. A 15 yr old stem is playing a game of russian roulette with only one empty chamber.

[hairyteeth]

If you install a metal 90 valve do you need the plastic clip?
HT

[Chrisj CMA]

If you install a metal 90 valve do you need the plastic clip?
HT

No

[N0tac0p]

came someone link want valve stems we should be looking at as replacements?

[salty1]

came someone link want valve stems we should be looking at as replacements?

Something like this should work.

http://www.jakewilson.com/p/52/-/343/753/-/19082/Myers-90%25C2%25B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem?term=valve+stems

[Denny47]

As per stated in my post, the stem was replaced at the time of the tire install. Stem is a NEW rubber one. I may be wrong, have been more times than I like, but I don't see how the stem can break unless there is an outside force on it, such as checking/adding air.  Thank all of you for your concerns and I will do away with the rubber.

[donaldcc]

came someone link want valve stems we should be looking at as replacements?

Something like this should work.

http://www.jakewilson.com/p/52/-/343/753/-/19082/Myers-90%25C2%25B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem?term=valve+stems

      Those are the ones I have. Can't beat the price.  Buy 1/2 - 1 dozen and hand them out to your friends.  I like these because they tighten on the outside of wheel so you can check them easily.

[old2soon]

came someone link want valve stems we should be looking at as replacements?

Something like this should work.

http://www.jakewilson.com/p/52/-/343/753/-/19082/Myers-90%25C2%25B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem?term=valve+stems

      Those are the ones I have. Can't beat the price.  Buy 1/2 - 1 dozen and hand them out to your friends.  I like these because they tighten on the outside of wheel so you can check them easily.

   +2 at least. The other option are those that get tightened inside the wheel. If you need to snug these up after initial install it's EASY.  Have these on my I/S and lets just say I got a lot concerned AFTER I removed the original rubber ones.  Besides-theses are SHINY and look good on the wheel.  RIDE SAFE

[Rio Wil]

As per stated in my post, the stem was replaced at the time of the tire install. Stem is a NEW rubber one. I may be wrong, have been more times than I like, but I don't see how the stem can break unless there is an outside force on it, such as checking/adding air.  Thank all of you for your concerns and I will do away with the rubber.

The purpose of the little plastic support is to keep centrifugal force from bending the valve stem down toward the rim and flexing the rubber seal. Try applying pressure to the end of the stem, ie, push it towards the rim and you can see what happens at speed.....then imagine how far down it is pushed when you have a moment of triple digit enthusiasm. So every time you go from 0 to 70 you flex that stem, so don't run a OEM stem without that plastic clip.

 

[MP]

As per stated in my post, the stem was replaced at the time of the tire install. Stem is a NEW rubber one. I may be wrong, have been more times than I like, but I don't see how the stem can break unless there is an outside force on it, such as checking/adding air.  Thank all of you for your concerns and I will do away with the rubber.

New is fine.  They do get cracked, etc with age.  They then can break off, and let the air out in a couple seconds.  Exciting!

The steel ones are about the same price, and last a LONG time.  they have a rubber seal, but if that gets bad, it will just leak, not let the air out suddenly.  Since yours is new, I would not worry about it, but I would replace it with steel when you next change the tire.

I have the patchboy ones with the nut inside, but if I did it again, I would get the ones with the nut on the outside.

MP

[hubcapsc]

As per stated in my post, the stem was replaced at the time of the tire install. Stem is a NEW rubber one. I may be wrong, have been more times than I like, but I don't see how the stem can break unless there is an outside force on it, such as checking/adding air.  Thank all of you for your concerns and I will do away with the rubber.

One way they give trouble is, after they are a little old, they tend to crack when you
mash the inflator on there... just keep the little plastic clip on there, be careful
when you put in air and your new OEM stem will almost certainly get you to your
next tire change...

HDL has some good ones in their on-line Valkyrie store: http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/product.asp?pid=44463&str=2&ID=566099539

-Mike "the nut-on-the-outside ones seem like a good idea too, but I never had any trouble with ones like these..."

[R J]

I've had PatchBoy type stems on MGM since 1998 and well over 200,000 miles on them.

NO problem as of this writing.      Now watch, I'll go to the garage and the front tire will be flat.

The rears have car wheels and tires so, ain't worried about them, yet.

[9Ball]

As per stated in my post, the stem was replaced at the time of the tire install. Stem is a NEW rubber one. I may be wrong, have been more times than I like, but I don't see how the stem can break unless there is an outside force on it, such as checking/adding air.  Thank all of you for your concerns and I will do away with the rubber.

If it was a straight valve stem it would be a different issue.  The 90º stem will flex if it is not supported as described by another poster due to high speed rotation and centrifugal force (might actually be centripetal force, but these get confusing sometimes).

You've been given advice that can save your life...do not disregard it.  Get the support on that valve stem or replace it...past luck is no guarantee against future failure.

Good luck and ride safely.

[97Valk_CT_Euless]

LOVE the stems from the Jake Wilson site.  Bought 1/2 doz after seeing the posts on this site and used it when I changed my back tire (myself, after reading up on it here and elsewhere).  Loved it so much I followed another post here and changed my front (without removing the wheel).  Took about an hour, and I didn't work too hard at it.  Just used bead lube wherever the bead was broken and aired it back up, POP, and no leaks.  Now it's metal front and rear.  I like these because they go from the inside out, no way for them to come out, even if you took the nuts off (unless you lost pressure...). 

[miscott]

Awhile back I went to check the air in my front tire and found out the rubber base of the oem stem was cracked. Still had the plastic brace on it that attaches to it too. I got to searching/reading through all the back posts on the Metal Stems. Found out about changing them with the C-clamp method. Took me a couple hours to finally get it all figured out and finished, as it was the first time I'd ever done it. Finally used a Ratchet Strap and found out my 3 gal, 100lb compressor also had the attachment I needed. Straight through with a trigger. Took the valve stem core out, snugged up the ratchet strap around the circumference of the tire, screwed the airline attachment onto the stem, pulled the trigger and "POP", bead reseated and I was good to go! Back tire doesn't leak, but I'm gonna replace that one too, just for my own peace of mind.
 I ordered these Chromed Steel Valve Stems from Mike at ValkyrieBlingandMore...
   http://valkyrieblingandmore.com/chvastandho.html
Notice that they also come with a new set of the Chromed Plastic Stem Braces. Just for looks, as the stems are the solid Chromed Steel, and I have to say, they DO look darn nice on my Valk Brace slides on and snaps into place just like oem.
  Highly recommended. Love em!
  Thanks Mike!

[hubcapsc]

Finally used a Ratchet Strap

Gotta do what you gotta do... I once used a ratchet strap to help re-bead a (much smaller than our
Valkyries) lawn tractor tire.

It worked great, but when the bead took - POP! - that strap was scary tight...

-Mike

[Ricky-D]

Oh BALLS,

The stock OEM tire valves are plenty good, there is hardly ever anything said good about them but consider all the bikes out there with those stems and you can rest assured that Honda would not put anything on the bikes that would be dangerous.

Sure they can leak, and so can the all metal ones.

Common sense would tell you to support the valve when engaging it.  Those who keep boosting the all metal valves are the riders that failed to notice the need for a little support and tore the valve up.

Now they are all GO METAL, valve stems, "the Honda stems are junk". Go figure?

***

[hubcapsc]

The stock OEM tire valves are plenty good at stranding you on the side of
the road four states from home. 

-Mike

[Cracker Jack]

Hey, Ricky-D. I don't mind if you use the OEM stems. I doubt if others do either.

Cracker Jack

[MP]

Oh BALLS,

The stock OEM tire valves are plenty good, there is hardly ever anything said good about them but consider all the bikes out there with those stems and you can rest assured that Honda would not put anything on the bikes that would be dangerous.

Sure they can leak, and so can the all metal ones.

Common sense would tell you to support the valve when engaging it.  Those who keep boosting the all metal valves are the riders that failed to notice the need for a little support and tore the valve up.

Now they are all GO METAL, valve stems, "the Honda stems are junk". Go figure?

***

Don't ever remember calling them junk.

I said to replace the rubber with the metal when he changes the tire.  Rubber does get old!  Would you ride a 20 year old tire, even if the tread was good?

Why NOT replace the rubber one with a metal one?  What are the drawbacks of the metal one?  Why is it not just as safe, if not safer, than a rubber one?

Sure glad you think Mother Honda made the perfect bike, with every piece on it the absolute best ever made, and that there are NO improvements we can make.  Have YOU ever changed ANYTHING on your bike?  I imagine you take the exhaust off the bike to change the rear tire too.  After all, Honda told you to in their shop manuel, and of course, they are 100% correct about EVERYTHING!

MP

[Daniel Meyer]

Don't ever remember calling them junk.

I will.

Unless you change them every couple years or every tire change (whichever is first), and still they suck.

Junk. Crap. crap. Horrible design. Dangerous. Garbage. Offal. Get them the snuggle off your bike. Running one since bike was new and never changed them? Sell the bike, 'cause you're on a path to kill yourself with it.

If I met ya at a ride or at Inzane, and ya pointed and told me proudly that the stem had been on there since the bike was new, I'd reach down there and bust it off for ya. It's no effort at all if it's more than about two years old...and I tend to like Valkyrie riders...and they are much more fun when they're alive (most of 'em anyway) so there ya go.

A note...the 1800 wings used to (and may still) come with these monstrosities too. If ya got 'em, get rid of 'em.

I have a stronger opinion about these (hell, ask me about the OEM dunlop someday) but I'm in a wonderful mood today so I shall refrain...

 

[Chrisj CMA]

Oh BALLS,

The stock OEM tire valves are plenty good, there is hardly ever anything said good about them but consider all the bikes out there with those stems and you can rest assured that Honda would not put anything on the bikes that would be dangerous.

Sure they can leak, and so can the all metal ones.

Common sense would tell you to support the valve when engaging it.  Those who keep boosting the all metal valves are the riders that failed to notice the need for a little support and tore the valve up.

Now they are all GO METAL, valve stems, "the Honda stems are junk". Go figure?

***

-1 This statement comes (obviously) from somone that has never experienced the rapid decompression of the air in the tire when the OEM valve stem fails.

Tell me one instance of an all metal one catastrophically failing and Ill delete this post.

Guys, change em!  Dont risk it, especially if you have one that is more than one tire old.

 

[salty1]

Probably as good as it gets for safety in IMO, see below. I like the Meyer's 90 degree valve. I certainly can't add anything to the previous comments on changing out OEM valves.

[saddlesore]

  My valve stem failed on me. I was lucky, the base cracked and developed a slow leak.
 I've seen it a lot on car tires and should have known to check the stems more closely.
  I didn't wait till a tire change.   There's too much riding on those tires to take a chance.

[Brian]

When I had my front tire mounted at the dealer I asked them to replace the original stem with an all metal Goldwing 90 degree stem. By time I got back to work there was a message on my phone stating that they were out of the wing stem but had a new OEM replacement. Wanting to get my bike back on the road I agreed to have this valve installed so I could get the wheel back that evening. My rear tire has the original stem from 97. My question here is, can this rubber stem be replaced without breaking the bead to gain access to the inside? I think I would rather go into the summer riding season with a new valve stem regardless if it is the rubber base type. I am not one to start messing with my own tires just yet.

All suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Put it this way.  make darn sure that little plastic thing holding the stem is secure, you are overdue for a falure on the rear and if the holder gets gone, its likely to fail soon after at that age.

Chris, the plastic supports are still used on the wheels. I don't use any harsh cleaners on my wheels either the rubber is not showing any signs of cracking. It's a time thing that has me worried.

[Chrisj CMA]

When I had my front tire mounted at the dealer I asked them to replace the original stem with an all metal Goldwing 90 degree stem. By time I got back to work there was a message on my phone stating that they were out of the wing stem but had a new OEM replacement. Wanting to get my bike back on the road I agreed to have this valve installed so I could get the wheel back that evening. My rear tire has the original stem from 97. My question here is, can this rubber stem be replaced without breaking the bead to gain access to the inside? I think I would rather go into the summer riding season with a new valve stem regardless if it is the rubber base type. I am not one to start messing with my own tires just yet.

All suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Put it this way.  make darn sure that little plastic thing holding the stem is secure, you are overdue for a falure on the rear and if the holder gets gone, its likely to fail soon after at that age.

Chris, the plastic supports are still used on the wheels. I don't use any harsh cleaners on my wheels either the rubber is not showing any signs of cracking. It's a time thing that has me worried.

I wouldnt go over 35mph or more than a couple miles from home on that.........just me

[Brian]

Guys,
I appreciate all the replies and for some unknown reason I have over looked the stems at the tire changes and my dealer never asked, bad me. I suppose if I were to attempt the rear wheel stem replacement here in the very near future I had better do it while up on the lift just in case I need to remove it.

After submitting this question and reading the fire storm here I bet there are others reading this thinking about the same question. I certainly can't be the only one out there with the original stem and willing to admit it.

I like the idea about using a ratchet strap to help reseat the bead. Looks like the lift table will get used again the spring.

One question on the wood and the c-clamps. How many will be needed to gain access to the back of the stem? New project, new tools in my world.

[hubcapsc]

One question on the wood and the c-clamps. How many will be needed to gain access to the back of the stem? New project, new tools in my world.

I carry this 8 inch c-clamp and these two boards in my saddlebags...



If you have access to a compressor, you can probably rebead your tire with
just air, without resorting to the strap, especially if the bike on the lift (wheel
off the ground...)

-Mike

[pancho]

Dang it!!!!  Now I have one more thing to check out!!! 

Do you really carry around that C clamp and two boards Mike??

[hubcapsc]

Dang it!!!!  Now I have one more thing to check out!!! 

Do you really carry around that C clamp and two boards Mike??

Yep... I've been on two rides where people's OEM valve stems failed, and a couple of
other rides where there were flats...

I have the clamp and two boards in my saddlebags, a spark-plug pump (supposedly they
can spew out enough air to rebead a tire) and some tire plugs. And Ride-on in my tires.

Here's the spark-plug pump:

http://www.aerostich.com/tools/tire-repair/pumps-air-compressors/engineair-power-pump.html

I've got two good valve stems in my tool box... I need to remember to throw them in the
saddlebag too...

A flat tire shouldn't be a show stopper...



-Mike "well..."

[pancho]

That pump is quite an innovative little rig,,, it does not pump the compressed mixture from the motor as my first thought led me to think....   good find