rubber valve stem grommet leak

[westsidevalk]

Hi,

My front tire lost air rapidly yesterday at speed, i slowed down and by the time I pulled over it was almost flat. I had the good fortune to be in front of a biker friendly bar, and the own we trailered us 30 miles home, God bless him and is wife.

My question is, what is a good replacement grommet, and how do I install it?

I did a search and I did not find how to install it.

Thank you!!

[Valker]

Sounds like you mean the front valve stem. There are many replacements out there made all of metal. Those last nearly forever. Did you lose the plastic stay for the stem? That will make them break pretty quickly.

[westsidevalk]

Yes, I have 90 degree stems and the rubber part the meets the rim has a small horizontal crack in it.

Im not sure what the plastic stay is.

Is it diffiuclt to take the front wheel off the bike to take it to a shop.

My tires are fairly new but they did not replace the valve stem ....now I am worried about the rear tire.

Should I wait until it time for anew rear tire and then replace the valve stem or should I replace it.

I am not sure if i am using the proper terms here. I am calling the rubber piece around the stem that meets the rim the grommet, is that correct?

Do I just need to get metal grommets on Fleabay or elsewhere?
Sorry if i am not explaing myself clearly

[sugerbear]

there should be a plastic "holder" to keep the stem from flexing.

BUT, replace both with 90 deg metal stems. no holder needed.

search "patchboy" on this site, you'll see which stems to buy.  shouldn't be expensive.

tires are not hard to take off, but some have replaced the stem with the tire on. they used c-clamps and 2 x 4's your choice.

[westsidevalk]

thank you for your reply.

I found the link to the patchboy metal stems.

The ones on the bike now are the original OEM, and yes, the front stem had lost the plastic stay while the back one still has it.



Thanks

[Valker]

No, the Patchboy stems eliminate the need for the stays. The loss of that stay is probably why the front stem split.
I changed mine with the tire and wheel on the bike with a "C"-clamp.

[sugerbear]

i would replace the back one too. just because.

[old2soon]

thank you for your reply.

I found the link to the patchboy metal stems.

The ones on the bike now are the original OEM, and yes, the front stem had lost the plastic stay while the back one still has it.



Thanks

 Going to the metal valve stems you DO NOT need the plastic stays. When you order your valve stems order one or two extras and keep them on the Valkyrie. RIDE SAFE.

[westsidevalk]

Thanks for all of your replies.

I am not sure i know what to do when I break the bead using boards and a C clamp.
I am unfamilar with the interior of the tire.
It is fairly simple?

I just break the bead proimate to the valve and have enough room to reach in and change it?

Will a 12 volt compressor be enough, and if so, what caustion do I have to take as I fill it..
will it reseat by iteslf?

Thanks

[T.P.]

this is the valve stem from Patch Boys that everyone uses.

http://patchboy.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=17-562&Category_Code=6-3

this is what I use, the 11.3 units.

http://kurveygirl.com/shop/index.php?cPath=27

you need to grind off the t

Get rid of those OEM valve stems ASAP!

[Disco]

I'm running patchboys now and have had great service from them.  However, my next install will be the ones below.  I like them better because they can be tightened from outside the wheel whereas the patchboys, if you don't get them tight enough the first time can force you to remove and reinstall the wheel again.      Don't ask.  It was the rear...   

http://www.jakewilson.com/p/52/-/343/753/-/19082/Myers-90%25C2%25B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem/VALVE+STEM?0

[RainMaker]

Thanks for all of your replies.

I am not sure i know what to do when I break the bead using boards and a C clamp.
I am unfamilar with the interior of the tire.
It is fairly simple?

I just break the bead proimate to the valve and have enough room to reach in and change it?

Will a 12 volt compressor be enough, and if so, what caustion do I have to take as I fill it..
will it reseat by iteslf?

Thanks

A 12 volt compressor will not work for reseating the bead.  You need a compressor with a tank and about a 100 lbs of pressure to do that.  It will not reseat itself.

Currently, if you put air in the tire, how long does it take to leak out?  Can you ride to a dealer or a motorcycle shop near you before it would go down very much (as in going down very little)?  If not, get someone to trailer the bike to a shop and have them do the work.  I'm guessing from your questions and answers that you may not be too familiar with tire maintenance on your Valk.  Better to spend a little money than to leave the tire in a dangerous condition.  You can definitely take in the metal valve stems to the shop to use - and the ones Disco recommends appear to be a very smart choice.

RainMaker

[da prez]

 I changed the stems on the bike, using the patchboy ( I think,nuts on the outside) and  inflatedwith a 12V pump. Put a little liquid dish soap on the stems and when ready to inflate, on the bead of the tire.
                                               da prez

[GreenLantern57]

As fast as his tire went down, I doubt he will be able to keep air in it long enough to make it to a shop. I know when mine went down, the rubber was almost broken through.  I also replaced mine with a C-clamp, but the tire had gotten too hot and had a bubble on it. Had to replace the tire anyways.  I like the valve with the nut on the outside. I will be buying some of those for the next set of tires.

[Willow]

Westside, it looks like you're in the Springfield, MA area?

We have several members in Massachusetts and New Hampshire that may be able to help you out.

[CASABROKER]

+ 1 Use the Jake Wilson ones.  It makes sense to tighten from the outside to me anyway.

[donaldcc]

I'm running patchboys now and have had great service from them.  However, my next install will be the ones below.  I like them better because they can be tightened from outside the wheel whereas the patchboys, if you don't get them tight enough the first time can force you to remove and reinstall the wheel again.      Don't ask.  It was the rear...   

http://www.jakewilson.com/p/52/-/343/753/-/19082/Myers-90%25C2%25B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem/VALVE+STEM?0

I use these from JakeWilson and as mentioned you do not have a nut inside the rim.  they are cheaper than Patchboy. Buy 6-8 and give them to your friends for a very wise gift.

[sugerbear]

I'm running patchboys now and have had great service from them.  However, my next install will be the ones below.  I like them better because they can be tightened from outside the wheel whereas the patchboys, if you don't get them tight enough the first time can force you to remove and reinstall the wheel again.      Don't ask.  It was the rear...   

http://www.jakewilson.com/p/52/-/343/753/-/19082/Myers-90%25C2%25B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem/VALVE+STEM?0

good point.

[Tundra]

WestsideValk,
 Please take the above advice and get the patchboy stems both front and rear.  If you don't know when they were changed out, change them. Your lucky you noticed it parked.
  I noticed mine when I was on the Interstate with my wife at 80mph.
             I lived to tell you... Please change them out.

[Westsider]

Thanks for the link Disco



if any one still wants the patchboys? (after seeing the improved one above) call this guy..
he wont kill you on  shipping like some places..
http://automotive-hardware.com/1-piece-1-78-chrome-90-inner-mount-tire-valve-p-269.html

[JaysGone]

Those are what I have on my Valk.
Cheap insurance and they dont leak.
I have the other type with the nut on the outside on my Roadstar............they leak I have to refill weekly.

[westsidevalk]

Thanks agains for everyones great replies.

I ordered the metal valve stems from patchboy as recommenced. They shipped today, I got extra for the saddlebag.
I am going to pull the front wheel and I have a trusted mechanic who will replace the valve stem for $25.

Hopefully I will be up and running in just a few days.

I have the wheel removal instructions from the site, and I will check the wheel bearings for smoothness and quitness while I have the tire off.

Onnce i am up and running I will take the bike to him and have him pull the rear wheel and inspect and lube the splines while the wheel is off to replace the valve stem.


The tire went flat in about 45 seconds, giving me enough time to slow down and stop.


I rode over 150 miles that day, in all sorts of very rural locations, and it could have gone out anywhere, but can you believe it happened right next to a biker friendly bar, Uncle Larrys tavern at the intersection of rt 8 and 20. The owner  and his wife trailered me home for gas money (30 miles from Becket ma, to west Springfield Mass)

I cant believe I knew nothing about the importance of the plastic stay in preventing something like this from happening. Now I know.

On a side note, anyone from Mass know of a good tow plan for motorcycles. I have AAA but they said I had to upgrade to $112 coverage. I used to have the Honda care but I read they do not cover towing in massachusetts, this was a few years ago though.



Thanks again for everything everybody!!