• A few people have been scammed on the site, Only use paypal to pay for items for sale by other members. If they will not use paypal, its likely a scam NEVER SEND E-TRANSFERS OF ANY KIND.

Valve stem advice?

turbodieseli4i6

Senior Member
Elite Member
Site Supporter
Joined
Mar 14, 2012
Messages
2,779
Reaction score
5
Points
38
Location
Missouri
Visit site
I just bought a set of PR3's
Michelin Pilot Road 3 Motorcycle Tire Sport/Touring Front 120/70-17 : Amazon.com : Automotive
Michelin Pilot Road 3 Motorcycle Tire Sport/Touring Rear 160/60-17 : Amazon.com : Automotive

I am planning on using Ride-On in them for balancing and flat prevention.
Ride-On Tire Sealant for Motorcycles - Bottle - Dents and Ding Corner by Inovex Industries, Inc.

With that being said, I thought I would give the Smart caps a try.
LED Smart Cap TPMS for Motorcycles w/ RSA - LED Smart Cap TPMS by Inovex Industries, Inc.

This had led me looking for a sturdier valve stem. So far I have found these.
BikeMaster Valve Stems - Competition Accessories


http://www.compacc.com/p/Valve-Stems


With my old GL1200 the angled stems would have been nice, but I don't think I need them on the NC. The problem with these is, I don't know the diameter stem hole for the NC.
Any ideas which one would be the best choice? I'm thinking the Camel tubeless tire valve,but I would appreciate any help.
 
I got new tires put on today and they installed these Ariete billet aluminum valve stems at the time. Light, look good, last forever.

 
I'm so close to adding my valve stems. Will my tires last until my Iron butt ride? I hope so! I don't want to put a 1000 miles on the pr3's that fast. My riding buddy just got the heads polished on his GL1100 and is about ready for the IB.
 
The stems that DDeulin suggests are quite well done. I have used them before. I have gone back and forth on valve stems and finally settled on the common rubber stems changed at each tire change. My issue with the "permanent" stems - even good ones - is that the guts of the Schrader valve are not permanent. They have a rubber seat that can degrade over time. It is also important that the wheel have the proper seat width to properly seat the seals on the stem. This is not guaranteed and should be checked. Sometimes a Dremel mod" to the stem is all it takes. I also questioned whether the rubber seals on the valve stems really were "lifetime". So I just refresh them with each change and avoid the question. I agree that if you are going to hang extra weight on top of the stem that sturdier stems are needed. I did have a failure once with rubber stems holding TPM sensors. If I was hanging weight on them (like TPM sensors, etc.) I would want short straight stems so the centrifugal force was inline. Otherwise, angled stems are handier. Having said that, I believe that any accessory product that operates by holding the Schrader valve open is introducing another opportunity for pressure loss. So my fancy TPM system was retired. I use an air gauge for a pre-ride check. You would not take off in an airplane without a pre-flight, and to me a motorcycle ride has enough potential to go wrong to warrant some kind of pre-ride inspection. Mine includes all lights, chain, air pressure, lock front brake and bounce the suspension, turn full lock both directions.

If I was going to use the "permanent" stems, I'd have some Schrader guts and replace them with tire changes. Eventually (after 2-3 years) I would be worried about the stem seals deteriorating. If I was going to use an accessory that held the valve open, I would reconsider.
 
I had my 1000 mile factory tire replaced today due to a gash in it causing flatness.

I didn't notice til I got home that the dealer had changed the valve stem from the really short factory stem to a taller rubber stem.

I am using my old TPMS system so I used a few zip ties to stabilize the stem from moving with tire rotation. Don't want the extra weight of the TPMS sensor to stress the stem.

Deano

IMG_20170814_154911529.jpg
 
Back
Top