Valve Stems
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Winter Haven, FL
Valve Stems
All Riders Be Warned. A friend of mine had new front tire installed on his bike. After getting the bike back he had a vibration at 30mph. The Stealer told him it was a new tire and needed to wear in a little. A week later the vibration was still there. He went to another dealer 50 miles away and dropped off his bike. They called 20 minutes later and told him that the rear tire was cupped and that was causing his problem. Come to find out that the original Stealer had not changed his CRACKED valve stems, on either tire. Low tire pressure caused the tire to cup. They did the back tire 2 weeks before the front. The repair cost him $350. He contacted the original Stealer and was told that he should have requested new valve stems. What kind of BS is this??? Is this normal practice for a valve stem to be reused?? They refused to warranty the tire. They stated it was not their fault that the stem failed.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Florida
It is actually unlikely it was their fault the valve stem failed.
But, most places require a new valve stem replacement when tires are changed. They do it for 3 reasons.
1. to avoid this happening
2. to collect another $2.00-$4.00 per valve stem to replace it.
3. it is quicker. especially on truck tires, they just cut the stem with side cutters to let the air out faster.
I'm kind of amazed your friend didn't check the tire pressure himself. I just had my rear replaced and checked it as soon as I got home. And if I was getting a vibration bad enough to cup a tire, I gurantee I would have been checking the pressure and had the bike back in to the shop.
But, most places require a new valve stem replacement when tires are changed. They do it for 3 reasons.
1. to avoid this happening
2. to collect another $2.00-$4.00 per valve stem to replace it.
3. it is quicker. especially on truck tires, they just cut the stem with side cutters to let the air out faster.
I'm kind of amazed your friend didn't check the tire pressure himself. I just had my rear replaced and checked it as soon as I got home. And if I was getting a vibration bad enough to cup a tire, I gurantee I would have been checking the pressure and had the bike back in to the shop.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Not sure why the valve stems cracked.
Most people replace stems when changing tires so the techs get used to pulling the old ones. If they pulled the valve stems then they should not have reused them.
Failing to check pressure is your friends fault. Always check tire pressure often after getting a new tire installed, sometimes they have leaks.
Most people replace stems when changing tires so the techs get used to pulling the old ones. If they pulled the valve stems then they should not have reused them.
Failing to check pressure is your friends fault. Always check tire pressure often after getting a new tire installed, sometimes they have leaks.
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Winter Haven, FL
He did check the tire pressure after the work was done. It took a few days for the pressure to bleed down. I think it was just pure laziness on behalf of the Tech that did the job. The second dealer found it just a few minutes after putting the bike up on the lift.
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