Valve Stem Options?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 114
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From: Illinois
Valve Stem Options?
Hi all,
I have a 2011 Road King Classic. It has the spoked/laced wheels, wide whitewalls.
My question is:
Does anyone know of a repacement inner tube, where the valve stem would be angled at 45 degrees toward the Port side of the bike? I find that the stock location is extremely difficult to access when checking the air pressure. Stock being straight up, and kind of hidden between three spokes.
I might be missing something, but I have to take both saddlebags off, and reach around with both hands in order to manuever my Craftsman digital guage onto the valve stem. This tire guage does have a swivel head, and roughly a 22.5 degree angled head. Problem is: the spokes are blocking easy access. There is a perfect spot towards the port side of the bike that would allow much easier tire checking.
I'm ready for a new rear tire, so now is the time to change to hopefully an angled Valve Stem.
Where can I get one???
Thanks,
Bob
I have a 2011 Road King Classic. It has the spoked/laced wheels, wide whitewalls.
My question is:
Does anyone know of a repacement inner tube, where the valve stem would be angled at 45 degrees toward the Port side of the bike? I find that the stock location is extremely difficult to access when checking the air pressure. Stock being straight up, and kind of hidden between three spokes.
I might be missing something, but I have to take both saddlebags off, and reach around with both hands in order to manuever my Craftsman digital guage onto the valve stem. This tire guage does have a swivel head, and roughly a 22.5 degree angled head. Problem is: the spokes are blocking easy access. There is a perfect spot towards the port side of the bike that would allow much easier tire checking.
I'm ready for a new rear tire, so now is the time to change to hopefully an angled Valve Stem.
Where can I get one???
Thanks,
Bob
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I can't answer your question, but would suggest that it will be easier and cheaper to buy a different pressure gauge. If you use say a pencil type, you can compare pressure with your craftsman gauge on the front tyre to ensure your rear is OK.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 114
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From: Illinois
I'm not having much luck searching for a replacement tube that has the Schrader valve angled to the side. Not in the tube size required for the Road King anyway. I like the idea of a different style pressure gauge, so I'll check that out.
I'm also looking at some different Shrader valve extensions. I'm thinking that just a small, say 1 inch extension - straight - might get me above the cluster of spokes that the valve now sits inside. Note that on mine, it is even difficult to get the valve stem cap off, as there is so little room to manuever in there. They DO have angled extensions, but these are for truck tires, and are like 3 to 4 inches long. I would think that the extra weight would effect wheel balance.
Thanks,
Bob
I'm also looking at some different Shrader valve extensions. I'm thinking that just a small, say 1 inch extension - straight - might get me above the cluster of spokes that the valve now sits inside. Note that on mine, it is even difficult to get the valve stem cap off, as there is so little room to manuever in there. They DO have angled extensions, but these are for truck tires, and are like 3 to 4 inches long. I would think that the extra weight would effect wheel balance.
Thanks,
Bob
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,175
Likes: 2,483
From: Nor Cal
I'm not having much luck searching for a replacement tube that has the Schrader valve angled to the side. Not in the tube size required for the Road King anyway. I like the idea of a different style pressure gauge, so I'll check that out.
I'm also looking at some different Shrader valve extensions. I'm thinking that just a small, say 1 inch extension - straight - might get me above the cluster of spokes that the valve now sits inside. Note that on mine, it is even difficult to get the valve stem cap off, as there is so little room to manuever in there. They DO have angled extensions, but these are for truck tires, and are like 3 to 4 inches long. I would think that the extra weight would effect wheel balance.
Thanks,
Bob
I'm also looking at some different Shrader valve extensions. I'm thinking that just a small, say 1 inch extension - straight - might get me above the cluster of spokes that the valve now sits inside. Note that on mine, it is even difficult to get the valve stem cap off, as there is so little room to manuever in there. They DO have angled extensions, but these are for truck tires, and are like 3 to 4 inches long. I would think that the extra weight would effect wheel balance.
Thanks,
Bob
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Kit-Brass-...adb2f2&vxp=mtr
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 114
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From: Illinois
Mutihdrdr,
That is perfect!!
At only $5.90 ea., I'll order two today. Thanks for your effort, I appreciate it.
Thank you to everyone else as well. Some great replies here. Great Forum.
Bob
That is perfect!!
At only $5.90 ea., I'll order two today. Thanks for your effort, I appreciate it.
Thank you to everyone else as well. Some great replies here. Great Forum.
Bob
MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,108
Likes: 1,964
From: New England
Once installed, watch the valve stem closely. If these do not have some sort of support bracket, the centrifugal force might damage the rubber valve stem resulting in air lose if ridden with them in place.
FWIW, the later model Honda Gold Wing uses a 90 degree valve stem that includes a small plastic support bracket. I have seen a couple of these bikes loose the plastic bracket and damage the rubber stem.
FWIW, the later model Honda Gold Wing uses a 90 degree valve stem that includes a small plastic support bracket. I have seen a couple of these bikes loose the plastic bracket and damage the rubber stem.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Illinois
Thanks for the tip PineTree. I already ordered them, they will arrive Monday. I'll look at securing it somehow, maybe make a nice support from baling wire or something, securing it to the nearest spoke.
Threadlock on the threads as well?
Thanks again.
Bob
Threadlock on the threads as well?
Thanks again.
Bob
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MODERATOR
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: New England
Have not known any that needed thread lock.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Sussex, South of England
DO NOT LEAVE THE ANGLED STEM FITTED PERMANENTLY.
Like Pine Tree suggests, it WILL damage your tire, rips the valve stem rubber and more so it peels all the chrome of your wheel or gauges the alloy.
I asked my dealer for an angled valve stem when replacing the tire and he came up with this. What a mistake to make!!!!
Like Pine Tree suggests, it WILL damage your tire, rips the valve stem rubber and more so it peels all the chrome of your wheel or gauges the alloy.
I asked my dealer for an angled valve stem when replacing the tire and he came up with this. What a mistake to make!!!!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 114
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From: Illinois
90 degree valve stem extension arrived (right on time BTW, great vendor). Installed with a drop of Thread lock on the threads. Works perfect.
Note that the HD Road King spoked wheels have a steel stem with a lock nut on the rim, not a rubber stem.
Roughly 1000 miles with this on, zero issues. Hasn't moved at all. This makes checking the rear tire, and adding air 100 times easier.
Thanks for the find multihdrdr, and to everyone else for tips, etc. Great Forum!
Bob
Note that the HD Road King spoked wheels have a steel stem with a lock nut on the rim, not a rubber stem.
Roughly 1000 miles with this on, zero issues. Hasn't moved at all. This makes checking the rear tire, and adding air 100 times easier.
Thanks for the find multihdrdr, and to everyone else for tips, etc. Great Forum!
Bob