Checking air pressure
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
http://www.harley-davidson.com/store...stem-extension
Bought one last week at the dealer and it works really well for an $11 solution.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
Think about all the hours in R&D and no change was made to make this vital process simpler. What would a angled stem cost versus a straight one? A few pennies?
How many of you bypass frequent air pressure checks because of this crappy setup?
The tire manufacturers are in cahoots with Harley to ensure tires wear out as fast as possible so they can sell more and make more labor money ! And to sell 11 dollar extensions too ! It is a conspiracy I am telling you !!
How many of you bypass frequent air pressure checks because of this crappy setup?
The tire manufacturers are in cahoots with Harley to ensure tires wear out as fast as possible so they can sell more and make more labor money ! And to sell 11 dollar extensions too ! It is a conspiracy I am telling you !!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 6
From: Lapeer , Mich
I think the HD hose extension with a 90% extension would work great , then take the extension off when done , the hardest part of putting air in my tires is finding the darn stem to me , how about a bright orange stem so they can be found easier
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 14
From: Seattle
Mine have a small white mark on the tire where the stem is located. Easy to find.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 585
Likes: 59
From: Near St. Louis, Mo.
I tried a number of things. Here is my cheap solution. I found a little short air gauge at Wally World. It's about 3" long. 2 bucks. It's the type with a stem that moves in and out. It's short enough to fit up under the rotor. Just carefully push it on to check air and be careful not bump the stem when you remove it to read it. Works good. Also have a shortest air chuck I could find to add air. I also pull on the valve stem and bend it towards outside of rim to add air on front tire. But your all right. What a pain in the a$$.
Looks like just installing the Harley extension is more trouble then it's worth as tight as those spokes are together. IMO
Looks like just installing the Harley extension is more trouble then it's worth as tight as those spokes are together. IMO
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 49
From: Northern California
The first time I went to check air on my Dad's Ultra I was like you gotta be joking ? What a bunch of idiots who ever let this stupid design hit production. It is enough of a hassle just to get that low to the ground to check rear tires anyhow, I have a small carpet just for this purpose, I get the air hose and gauge and lay down on the job !
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
bout every two weeks I raise mine up on my lift, take off the saddle bag, sit on my stool and check the air pressure and add if even necessary. Pretty much stays at 40 and 36. Do I check mine while out on the road in a gravel parking lot. No! If the riding characteristics haven't changed, and you'll notice if you have low pressure, I dont worry bout it. I asked a Michelin engineer that was at a bike rally about angled valve stems and his response was. "valve coudée tiges sont de la merde".