I temporally screw on a 2" extension to check and fill.
Ours is a red, black and chrome 2017 F3 Limited. Bought new in 2/2019. The avatar is my first bike back in 1952, a Simplex Servi-Cycle. Photo taken at the Barber Museum.
Is there any way to install another add on to make getting air in the rear tire easier?
When it comes time to replace your rear tire .... before the new one is mounted .... add an Angled steel Mtc. stem from " Kurveygirl " , about $10.00 ... I have done this on every Spyder I have owned. .... The first one I removed the old valve and patched the hole .... then I just left the Oem valve, and put the new one opposite it..... The new one should be put on the other side of the rim,( the disc side )and away from the raised part of the wheel so tire machines won't hit it ..... Mike
When it comes time to replace your rear tire .... before the new one is mounted .... add an Angled steel Mtc. stem from " Kurveygirl " , about $10.00 ... I have done this on every Spyder I have owned. .... The first one I removed the old valve and patched the hole .... then I just left the Oem valve, and put the new one opposite it..... The new one should be put on the other side of the rim,( the disc side )and away from the raised part of the wheel so tire machines won't hit it ..... Mike
It's the one from " ENKEI " it's the steel one and states it's an 85 degree bend.... it was packaged as " two for $11.00 " .... remember I used it on the DISC brake side of the rim, after drilling the correct size matching hole for it ..... to be safe I would drill the hole near the center if the rim , to prevent interference with any type of tire removal equipment ..... good luck .... Mike
For the time being, you can use an air chuck used for airing up dual tires on a truck. It's the right length and has the correct angle to easily access the rear tire valve stem. The best thing about it is that you don't have to get down on your knee to air up your rear tire.
...you can use an air chuck used for airing up dual tires on a truck.
That's what I use.
My issue isn't so much airing it up but getting the valve stem in the small area where you can actually access it. This is one of the reasons why I got the FOBO 2. I don't want to have to move the bike forward inch by inch (releasing and resetting the parking brake, running around to the other side of the bike, repeating the process, etc) before every ride. I check the FOBO and call it good.
My issue isn't so much airing it up but getting the valve stem in the small area where you can actually access it. This is one of the reasons why I got the FOBO 2. I don't want to have to move the bike forward inch by inch (releasing and resetting the parking brake, running around to the other side of the bike, repeating the process, etc) before every ride. I check the FOBO and call it good.
Yep, yep, yep...... you and me both, Monk.... and for exactly the same reason
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Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
Is there any way to install another add on to make getting air in the rear tire easier?
Thanks for asking this question. Every time I have to get on my knees to fill air in that rear tire...I wonder...am I doing this right? It shouldn't be that difficult.
2017 Spyder RT Limited - Champagne Metallic Chrome
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2021 Spyder RT Limited - Deep Marsala Metallic Dark
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I have wondered if it would be possible to fit a valve into the side of one of the spokes, pointing directly outward. This is done on BMW machines and would make inflation much easier.
I have wondered if it would be possible to fit a valve into the side of one of the spokes, pointing directly outward. This is done on BMW machines and would make inflation much easier.
Good idea, but there's no easy way of making that work on our existing rims! At least, not without drilling into/modifying the rim itself & potentially compromising the strength of that spoke.... and since the rim wasn't designed with that in mind from the get go, probably making it a little more difficult to achieve a good wheel balance too!
Following this thread for a good answer if there is one. Surely BRM could have done a better job on this one. If you are one of those 'old' seniors, try airing up that tire a time or two, it will sure test your religion. I mean, come on, proper air pressure is a safety thing, why make it so difficult? They could have angled the valve or something!
For the rear I use one end of a dual fill hose with clamp-on chuck. Not that much of a problem to slip the chuck on and off unless you have gorilla size fingers.
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Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
I used a clamp-on chuck for awhile. Getting it on was no problem, but taking it off was. Tended to get caught on the threads and released too much air in the process. Now I use a threaded chuck. I can reach the valve to screw it on for pretty much any wheel position. Losing air when unscrewing has not been an issue. My compressor has a psi setting, so it checks the pressure at the same time, adding air only if needed - two operations are no longer needed.
Until you can get your air valve moved or if your somewhere without the right sizes chuck, gonto the Harley store and get a stem extender as used foyr an Ultra. Harley has the same problem and have 6" flexable extention. Costs about $10.00. I keep it on the Spyder with my air gauge.
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This is one way to cure the problem like others have said.
That would be it!
As MONK mentioned, I also run FOBO's, and therefore I know at any time what my tire pressures are. If you have any experience with FOBO's you know that these spyder front tires have very little air in them, volume-wise. Merely the act of checking their pressure can allow enough air to escape and drop the pressure by a pound or more if you're not careful. In reality, a pound or so is not extremely critical. Because of simple ambient influence, your front tires can change one or two pounds all on their own while riding your spyder. But if you are like some of us who are overly anal, a two-pound difference can be worrisome. The rear tire can heat up to as much as four pounds from cold to hot after a half hour or so of operation. So, if you pre-check your tire pressures to what BK911 has mentioned here numerous times, you should be good for any environment. And the tool that Bensonoid pictured is about the easiest and least expensive way I know of to air up my tires. I keep one in the frunk at all times.
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 01-11-2021 at 03:27 PM.
Reason: Fixed quote display
This is one way to cure the problem like others have said.
Harborfreight has similar tool, it works for me, While you're there get there high adjustable work stool for about $30, make working on car and motorcycle and Spyder way easier.
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Until you can get your air valve moved or if your somewhere without the right sizes chuck, gonto the Harley store and get a stem extender as used for an Ultra. Harley has the same problem and have 6" flexible extension. Costs about $10.00. I keep it on the Spyder with my air gauge.
Here's a link to the extension: https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...-8;sp_staged=0. I bought one as soon as I bought my Spyder and shortly after I bought a Harley emergency compressor that has an identical extension with it.
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Yeah, along the lines of Jaybros amd others, I bought Lamont’s portable compressor which comes with a short, flexible hose, and you can preset a pressure. When FOBO tells me rear pressure is low, I can set the required pressure and screw on the flexible hose without even getting down on my knees (I sit on a low stool). It’s a bloody long way down to the floor for me ..... works a treat. But there is still the pain of getting that valve stem in just the right place
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
Until you can get your air valve moved or if your somewhere without the right sizes chuck, gonto the Harley store and get a stem extender as used foyr an Ultra. Harley has the same problem and have 6" flexable extention. Costs about $10.00. I keep it on the Spyder with my air gauge.
Exactly! That was my interim solution and it does help although it isn't perfect. With two RTs to attend to it does make the rear tire atonement exercise somewhat easier.
On a side note, I was riding yesterday in 45* weather and my FOBO alarm went off. I keep my rear tire (still a Kenda ) @ 26#. FOBO was screaming at me that it got to 31.2#. Not sure why it was so upset although that did seem to be quite a bit of increase considering the ambient temp. I was less concerned with that than I would have been had the pressure dropped. According to FOBO, it's now back down to 26.5#. I love this FOBO app.
Rear tire air valve
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Originally Posted by BikerBob
At least, not without drilling into/modifying the rim itself & potentially compromising the strength of that spoke.... and since the rim wasn't designed with that in mind from the get go, probably making it a little more difficult to achieve a good wheel balance too! 
..... works a treat. But there is still the pain of getting that valve stem in just the right place 
) @ 26#. FOBO was screaming at me that it got to 31.2#. Not sure why it was so upset although that did seem to be quite a bit of increase considering the ambient temp. I was less concerned with that than I would have been had the pressure dropped. According to FOBO, it's now back down to 26.5#. I love this FOBO app. 
