Tire pressures...

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Jan 21, 2015 | 08:45 PM

#11

ChickinOnaChain

Big Kahuna HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2012

Posts: 322,622

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From: .....

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdtaylor1979

The cold weather will make the tire pressure drop a few degrees.

Yep and every first cold day, both cars "low tire" lights are always on.

Jan 21, 2015 | 08:50 PM

#12

heybaylor

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2010

Posts: 2,601

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From: east texas

I rode mine today.

Jan 21, 2015 | 08:55 PM

#13

Mi3ninos

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 4,212

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From: USA

OP - take your hook out of the water. Your over the daily limit.

Jan 21, 2015 | 08:55 PM

#14

JMC22

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2013

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bone Doc

The rule I use is:

For every 10*F change in temperature, the tire will change 1 psi

If the temperature decreases 10* --> the tire will lose 1 psi

If the temperature increases 10* --> the tire will gain 1 psi

So does this apply if one fills their tires with nitrogen instead of air?

Jan 21, 2015 | 08:56 PM

#15

Harleycruiser

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 2,938

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From: North Florida

Warm air expands, tires expand some but not as much.

Jan 21, 2015 | 09:02 PM

#16

JustOneDean

Road Warrior

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,832

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From: Phoenix

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMC22

So does this apply if one fills their tires with nitrogen instead of air?

Yes. The numbers would be different, but not by much - regular air is about 78 percent nitrogen.

Jan 21, 2015 | 09:29 PM

#17

dandrumheller

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 1,091

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From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH

I think if you inflate both tires to the proper pressure in the garage, they will lose at least a couple pounds when you roll the bike out the tunnel. Be careful though, even if you air them back up, the front is likely to be around 28, and the rear may still be at 0.

Jan 21, 2015 | 09:44 PM

#18

Bone Doc

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Oct 2012

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From: Texas, USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMC22

So does this apply if one fills their tires with nitrogen instead of air?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustOneDean

Yes. The numbers would be different, but not by much - regular air is about 78 percent nitrogen.

^^^ This

For the most part, yes. Nitrogen, like any gas, still follows the same gas laws including temperature is proportional to pressure. But, Nitrogen usually shows less pressure fluctuations with temperature changes than air. This is because pure Nitrogen is dry. Air is mostly N2, then O2, then CO2 and then traces of other gases. The presence of water vapor in the air is a major factor that increases the susceptibility of air to the temperature-pressure changes.

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Jan 21, 2015 | 09:56 PM

#19

Deucedog

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 3,302

Likes: 275

From: Milton, Delaware

Quote:

Originally Posted by seniorsuperglideE8

If I inflate my tires to the proper pressures in a warm garage, say around 70 degrees, then park the bike outside where the temperature is 45 degrees and my tire pressure drops a couple degrees. Did somebody "deflate" my tires or did the ambient temperature cause this pressure drop? I hope the metaphor wasn't too difficult.

Yes, colder temps will cause tire pressure to drop a few pounds. Every winter my cars tire pressure monitoring system light comes on.
I add about 4 lbs of pressure, the system is happy, and I'm good until warmer weather.

Assuming that you're going to be riding in cold temperatures for a few more months why not just park the bike outside. Let the tire temp stabilize, check/adjust your tire pressure, and forget about it. What happens inside the 70* garage is not important, it's what happens when your bike is outside that's important

Last edited by Deucedog; Jan 21, 2015 at 09:58 PM.