The Notorious Valve Stem ???

[Jetflyer]

Is this the notorious valve stem that is prone to failure?

I have the VRCC recommended "all metal" replacement ready to change out, at the next tire change... but should I be worried about this version enough to yank the wheels off NOW?

[Farther]

Yours looks in good shape.  I look at the stock valve stem as a maintenance item and change them out every tire change.  If supported when airing up and the rubber is good then it can wait.  

[Jess from VA]

Probably not, but remove the elbows, and inspect for cracks, and paint the stems (base) with some dish soapy water, and wiggle the stems around to see if you get any bubbles/leaks.... don't abuse or break them in the test.  You could take the tires to 50psi for testing, then let the extra out after.

Put the elbows back on if you don't find any leaks/cracking.

Another thing to watch while waiting for new tires and stems is if you are regularly losing air pressure.... tires will lose and gain with temp changes (like now in Fall time), but a regular leaking loss should make the stems suspect.

[salty1]

Looks good to me, but at your next tire change out get something like this for a replacement.

[sandy]

Salty, you don't need the plastic support when you have a screw in stem.

[Brian]

Salty, you don't need the plastic support when you have a screw in stem.

I have this same set-up. I have a few spare plastic supports so I figured I would continue to use them. It keeps me from taking the possible chance of moving the stem left or right while checking air pressure. I am getting older and it is hard to keep stable while on my knees doing this task.

[Patrick]

Is this the notorious valve stem that is prone to failure?

I have the VRCC recommended "all metal" replacement ready to change out, at the next tire change... but should I be worried about this version enough to yank the wheels off NOW?

That looks as though it could an original style. Its hard to tell if they are good or not. Grab them near the rim and give them wiggle. If they stay together and don't ' hiss ' you should be good to go for awhile. If you pull them apart, well, you know.....
I don't have a problem using those, I just change them regularly.

[salty1]

Salty, you don't need the plastic support when you have a screw in stem.

I have this same set-up. I have a few spare plastic supports so I figured I would continue to use them. It keeps me from taking the possible chance of moving the stem left or right while checking air pressure. I am getting older and it is hard to keep stable while on my knees doing this task.

+1 

[Gryphon Rider]

Worries of valve stem failure weren't as prevalent last time I had my front tire changed, and I hadn't made a point of asking/telling the installer about changing the stem, so I'm probably still running the original one on the front.  I have a new all-steel one in my tool chest waiting for the next tire change.  The plastic doodad is intact.  I'm not worried.

[MAD6Gun]

Worries of valve stem failure weren't as prevalent last time I had my front tire changed, and I hadn't made a point of asking/telling the installer about changing the stem, so I'm probably still running the original one on the front.  I have a new all-steel one in my tool chest waiting for the next tire change.  The plastic doodad is intact.  I'm not worried.

 The plastic retainer was present on mine when it failed a few months ago. Not good to loose a front tire at 75 MPH on the highway. got it stopped but the tire was toast. I replace the tire and the valve stem (thanks Hayhauler). After I did the front I checked the rear. The rubber was cracked at the base. I replace the rear one as well.

 I use to think the same thing Gryphon. "if the retainer was there it was ok". Do yourself a favor. Check it. If the rubber is cracked. CHANGE IT NOW....

[JerryH]

I put these on when I had the wheels powered coated: 
sixth one down on the list.

www.kurveygirl.com/

Jerry

[Willow]

That is certainly one of the OEM stems.

I wouldn't use the word prone.  I'd say vulnerable is more accurate. 

I'd say change them out when you get a good chance to remove the vulnerability.  Definitely test for leaks as suggested above.

[F6Dave]

The Valk's valve stem is very common, used on the 1500 and 1800 Gold Wings and other models as well.  There are likely well over 100,000 of them installed on various Hondas.

Like tires, they need to be replaced once in a while, but often get ignored.  When the cords start showing it's obvious you need a new tire, but when the rubber in your valve stem is drying out it isn't quite so obvious.

I bought 4 of the Patchboy stems and replaced them on my 2 Valks as the tires wore out.  But I wouldn't hesitate to use the OEM versions again if I had to.  I'd just change them every other tire change or so.

[Jess from VA]

More like everytire change, without fail.

But why not go steel? 

Losing all the air in either tire at speed is probably worth a cheap steel valve stem, don't you think?

[F6Dave]

I do use the steel Patchboy valve stems, and agree they are better.

My point is Honda has been using this design for decades, and there are probably a few hundred thousand of them on the road.  The Gold Wings using them rack up a lot of miles, too.  If they were as dangerous as some contend failures would be widespread, and the NHTSA would have forced Honda to recall them long ago.

[Jess from VA]

Dave I understand completely...... but who wants to one of the the .05% with a traumatic blowout at 45-85 MPH?  Several have been reported here over the years, and we are only a few hundred of regular VRCC posters.

I would not care to play Russian roulette, even with a 1000 shot revolver.

Honda should stop using them!   The fact they don't is no testament to their quality or longevity.

[Patrick]

I'm not sure why its not mentioned by the involved shop to have the stem replaced along with the tire. I don't understand that, I've always suggested that stems get replaced at that time. These particular stems usually look pretty good, and, I've had good looking ones come apart just by giving them a twist or wiggle. Thats a pretty good indication to me that they haven't been changed in quite awhile.
The aftermarkets are nice and inexpensive. Problem is that shops around here only stock the OEMs, which are ridiculously expensive, but, they are available when needed.

[Farther]

New auto tire get a new valve stem at change time.  Why are people not changing the stock valve stem at tire change time on their Valkyries?  It is simply a maintenance item.  Failure to maintain your bike is an operator error.

[HayHauler]

I bought them for 2 reasons.  1. They are better.  2.  The Jake Wilson stems are $2 each and the Hondas are $15 at the stealer.

I have them on my Valk and my 07 Wing.  No regrets.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[salty1]

I bought them for 2 reasons.  1. They are better.  2.  The Jake Wilson stems are $2 each and the Hondas are $15 at the stealer.

I have them on my Valk and my 07 Wing.  No regrets.

Hay 
Jimmyt

+1 

[tonyfan70]

"Dave I understand completely...... but who wants to one of the the .05% with a traumatic blowout at 45-85 MPH? "

I didn't want one. I ended up with one. I didn't care for it at 60 MPH into a curve.

[Gary]

As a side note, with the OEM stem I was able to hop along to get home for a few hundred mile ride by wedging a small piece of a popsicle stick (found roadside along I-5 in southern NM) in between the valve stem and the plastic support bracket. This helped to keep the stem from flexing while spinning at highway speeds. This roadside temp fix had been previously shared by Rumblebee from Oklahoma. The air held well with the stick-fix.

Prior to that I had been experiencing an air leak from about Yuma, AZ all the way home to northern NM, roughly 800 miles. I was having to refill about every hundred miles or so. I could not find a hole or puncture anywhere. The stem did not appear to be leaking. By southern NM it was obvious, definitely gave my portable compressor a good workout that trip.



All stems have been since been replaced with the metal Patchboy jobs on both the IS and Std. So far so good.   I do carry an extra metal or 2 and even have a handful of new OEM's leftover.  

This temp fix happened to work with a leak and is only offered for reference purposes, YMMV.