Venus97 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Hey Guys, I plan to have my service done next month (as soon as I get my tax refund money) and was wondering if installing some short 90 degree short tire stems would make it easier to check tire pressure. My questions are: 1. Would they look gay on the Blackbird? 2. Would they throw off the balancing of the wheels at all? What do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toynut Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Anytime that you will be demounting the tire (to install new stems) you should rebalance. It's not just the different weight of the stem, but largely the repositioning of the tire on the rim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganDonor Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 -Yes, they make checking the tire pressure easier. -Yes, they make the tire a bit heavier when balancing in the location of the stem. -You can get some on eBay, or get the Goldwing ones at the dealer. -Goldwing owners promote changing them every couple of sets of tires, as they can break at the point they come through the wheel, due to the centrifugal force causing the end stem to bend in towards the rim causing stress on the rubber. The Goldwings come with a little attachment that acts like cribbing to keep the stem from bending in. I got some of these for my nexxt tire change on the Bird... all metal, bolt on, and they're only a $1.50 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venus97 Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 OrganDonor-Those are very good photos. Thanks for posting! The Goldwing clips are a very good idea. I think I'll ask the shop about them when I take the bike and tires in for installation. Thanks for letting me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganDonor Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I wouldn't go with the Goldwing ones... they run over $10 each. You're better off following the link I posted at the end of the post, and get the $1.50 ones. Grab a few of them, and impress your bike friends with them as stocking stuffers. The Goldwingers either go with the $1.50 ones, short stubby straight ones, or replace their expensive Honda ones at least every other tire change. Link to current Goldwing debate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Para045 Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 When I put the new PR rear on my BB just before Xmas I went for an angled valve stem and it is great, no problems getting the air hose onto it now, it was always a bitch to get air in, the normal air gauges that fit on the end of the hose usually have an angled steel fitting which is impossible to get onto the valves . I used to try and only use the Shell servo's that had the gauge etc built into the main housing with a long hose with just a little clip on the end but even on the back wheel it was hard to get them in The front still has a conventional valve but next tyre change I will change that too. This is the valve that I got from the tyre place, ~$20AUD but well worth it IMHO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganDonor Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 That's hot Nice and low profile! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBadExxample Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 1. Would they look gay on the Blackbird? 2. Would they throw off the balancing of the wheels at all? 1. Who gives a fuck if they look gay. If they utilitarian value, do it. 2. Be sure balance your tire with the stems installed. Duh, unless for some reason you balance your tires uninflated. If you balance your own tires do the rim-only-prebalance with them installed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Regardless of straight or angled, I think the best are the ones that are held in place with lock nuts and O-rings. I don't like any all rubbet stems as they all eventually crack right where they come through the rim. Kawasaki sells a stock 45 degree stem made in solid brass the is bolted in place. It was stock on the Red ZX12. Those are the ones I am getting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xrdracer Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Contact TAW Vehicle Concepts in Colorado and get some one-piece bolt on 90 degree stems made in Italy for Marchesini wheels. Don't mess around with a multi part unit. The more mating surfaces you have, the greater the chance for a leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Venus97 Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Thanks for the great ideas. I knew I could tap your knowledge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVLXX Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Goldwings don't go a buck fifty boys.... HMMM... I wonder what a instant flat tire feels like at plus 100 speeds. Ha, just kidding... No I don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrganDonor Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 You're right... so the point is, if the Goldwing's are having problems with them breaking, then our FASTER bikes will have MORE problems with them (at least the Honda rubber based ones.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toynut Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Try Sport Bike Effects (great guy, btw) for the trick 90 degree valve stems. Type FJR1300 in the coupon code for 15% off! http://www.sportbikeeffects.com/products.a...t=8462&pg=4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Para045 Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Try Sport Bike Effects (great guy, btw) for the trick 90 degree valve stems. Type FJR1300 in the coupon code for 15% off! http://www.sportbikeeffects.com/products.a...t=8462&pg=4 Yep they look like the one I got :icon_think: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John01XX Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 I want a set that are gold anodized for the bling factor ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwimack Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 found these not 90 degrees but 45 and $2.00 each.. http://automotive-hardware.com/1-piece-025...35a055e63950ebb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottw Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Regardless of straight or angled, I think the best are the ones that are held in place with lock nuts and O-rings. I don't like any all rubbet stems as they all eventually crack right where they come through the rim. Kawasaki sells a stock 45 degree stem made in solid brass the is bolted in place. It was stock on the Red ZX12. Those are the ones I am getting. My 97 Vmax came from the factory with this type. Haven't touched them in 10 years and see no reason to. Makes checking TP a breeze. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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