Checking Tire Pressure
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 35
From: Southern Maryland
Checking Tire Pressure
The thread about the cracked wheel and the need to check tire pressure each time you ride got me wondering.....what do you guys use to check and or adjust the pressure. I have just the regular valve stems and i think its a real PITA just to get down and get a gauge on it let alone an air hose. So.....I thought I'd get some input from some of the guys here. I've tried various gauges and hoses but none seem to work that well. Hard to get an air hose on those stems sometimes.
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 55
From: Londonderry, NH
The thread about the cracked wheel and the need to check tire pressure each time you ride got me wondering.....what do you guys use to check and or adjust the pressure. I have just the regular valve stems and i think its a real PITA just to get down and get a gauge on it let alone an air hose. So.....I thought I'd get some input from some of the guys here. I've tried various gauges and hoses but none seem to work that well. Hard to get an air hose on those stems sometimes.
Thanks for the input.
Thanks for the input.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,307
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
When my FLHX is up on the J&S jack, it's pretty easy to spin wheel and I have the HD gauge (round dial w/braided hose). On the ground, it's harder...just need to roll bike so stem's visible, but HD gauge still gets in there...that's my story.
I know others swap straight stem w/90-degree, but I'm good w/stock stem.
I know others swap straight stem w/90-degree, but I'm good w/stock stem.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 35
From: Southern Maryland
i have the hd gauge too and for checking the pressure its pretty easy as well as checking the tires. most of my problem arises when i need to put a couple of pounds into the tire. its just hard to keep the hose on the stem. I've seen some 90 degree elbows and wondered if they worked. I've heard them mentioned a few times in here but can't remember what the comments were. guess I'm probably better just putting it up on the stand and doing it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,325
From: Western South Dakota
If you ever go to your dealership, you can always ask service to check it for you.
Myself, I don't care much for laying on the ground.
Myself, I don't care much for laying on the ground.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
A real pain with spoke wheels, so I put my 'King on my lift and get it up so I can check psi and spin and inspect the tires. I found a small nail in the rear last year that I removed before it became a problem. No substitute for a good physical inspection as often as you can. That being said, I got a Garmin 390LM a couple of years ago that has a TPMS feature that works great. The sensors replace the valve stem caps, now I can check my tire psi anytime, even going down the road. It will show a low pressure alarm if you got a puncture or something hopefully before it develops into something bad.
In my saddlebag I keep a Slime Digital Air Compressor, it is small, screws straight down on the stem in that tight space, the readout shows current psi and you set the psi you want, it gets there and cuts off. I got it at Wally World for about $30. When I got it, I checked and aired up every tire around the house to become familiar with it, so I am covered if I need it. Good luck!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Slime-Digi...lator/20573329
In my saddlebag I keep a Slime Digital Air Compressor, it is small, screws straight down on the stem in that tight space, the readout shows current psi and you set the psi you want, it gets there and cuts off. I got it at Wally World for about $30. When I got it, I checked and aired up every tire around the house to become familiar with it, so I am covered if I need it. Good luck!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Slime-Digi...lator/20573329
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 673
From: Rolla
I don't have any problem using an air hose with a 90° chuck like this.
That is what I am using too, and have no issues with it.
When my FLHX is up on the J&S jack, it's pretty easy to spin wheel and I have the HD gauge (round dial w/braided hose). On the ground, it's harder...just need to roll bike so stem's visible, but HD gauge still gets in there...that's my story.
I know others swap straight stem w/90-degree, but I'm good w/stock stem.
I know others swap straight stem w/90-degree, but I'm good w/stock stem.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,307
Likes: 2,443
From: Eastern NE
Definitely agree w/adding air = PIA, but I rarely have to adjust during a riding season (1-2 times). My Porter Cable compressor came with the std/small chuck which works good on bike tires...I use the bigger chuck (w/pressure check) on cars, but it doesn't fit under the FLHX rear (tried & can't seal...lose more air than gain). Just one of those annoyances of having/riding a "big-boy bike." 
