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Rear tire valve stem

Tripod

New member
My rear tire valve stem is at such an angle that it's d**n near impossible to get a pressure gauge or air hose on it. Anyone else have that condition? Thanks for any input, advice, solution, what have you.

Tripod :joke:
 
I have a double sided air chuck like the ones used for dual truck tires. I reach in from the right side of the wheel and engage the valve with the lower side of the chuck. I am then able to read the air pressure and add air as needed. This is the arrangement on my home compressor and it works quite well. When I am on the road it is more difficult. On the road I use a standard Harley-Davidson gauge, or one with an extension. Neither one works very well, but with enough effort I can get by.

BRP needs to move the valve to the right side of the wheel. They must know this since others have been commenting on this subject for some time. I am sure the obstacle is economics. I thought they might do it beginning with the 2010 model year. No such luck.
 
Oddly enough I noticed the same thing when I set tire pressures today. I was able to push the stem over enough to use the factory pressure gauge inside of the rear cog. I had to fish the air hose through the wheel and then air it up. Pretty poor design for something that should be checked regularly. I think that could lead to a liability suit if some lazy ass doesn't check their tires and there is a failure because of it. " I tried to check the pressures but it was impossible to get to". That doesn't account for all the low tire pressure failures on SUV's. That is just typical laziness that most drivers/riders have. As a bike tech I always checked tire pressures as the last thing I did before test riding. Probably 80%+ were so low it was ridiculous, I'd have never trusted my ass-ets on it.
By the way Tripod, I used to live in Oceanside in the 60s, I was Marine brat. The "general" was stationed at Camp Pendelton ( I think, it could have been El Toro).After 18 years and 16 station changes, we were at about all of them.
 
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I use a screw on 90 on the stock valve stem. But, you'll need to remove the 90 after checking or adding air; the reason why was covered previously. The 90 will cause the stock valve stem to flex, fatique and eventually break off.
 
It helps if the 'spoke' parts are lined up with each other--- which mine are not. I'll be doing my next rear tire change myself and will realign them then.
 
My spoke parts are aligned and I do not have this problem either. The stock BRP gauge fits on with no problems and my air compressor fitting does as well.
 
Me too . . . . .

. . . . I have the same problem. Despite witch gauge type I use, only one is close enough to give a reading. Putting air in is a real ordeal.

Despite how the spokes are aligned, the Spyder gauge cannot make a connection.

Next time I see another Spyder, I will have to see what is different on them.

Tom
 
The combination gauge/clamp on valve sold at Walmart easily fits on the rear tire valve stem. With it you can see exactly how much air the tires has and then turn on your compressor to add more if required. No need use a separate gauge to check the pressure and then have to remove the gauge and hook up the pump all the while having to guess how much air to put in.
 
The combination gauge/clamp on valve sold at Walmart easily fits on the rear tire valve stem. With it you can see exactly how much air the tires has and then turn on your compressor to add more if required. No need use a separate gauge to check the pressure and then have to remove the gauge and hook up the pump all the while having to guess how much air to put in.

That sounds like a good little add on to have as well. Thanks for the info.
 
I threw that clunky BRP guage on a shelf and left it there. I use an old fashioned sliding stick type gauge. It's plenty accurate, I've done comparison checks on all my truck tires. I find it really easy to use on the Spyder, plus it takes up less space in the tool pouch (makes room for a small vice grip.) As far as airing up, I'm not sure why people are having problems. My compressor tool has a nozzle set at a bit of an angle with double air ports. I do appreciate Firefly's advice about spoke alignment and will be sure to pay attention at tire replacement time.
 
My spokes, sprocket and wheel, are perfectly aligned and I still have trouble. It is the sprocket that gets in the way. It would be so much better if the valve were on the other side of the wheel where there is nothing in the way.
 
I guess I am confused......I dont see a spoke alignment problem in those pictures. I thought you meant the spokes of the sprocket dont line up with the spokes of the wheel

The only problem others were having when I originally posted was with the stem being to close to the sprocket. No one back then had a problem with the wheel spokes. I believe Firefly now mentioned something about the wheel spokes. I don't understand that one either.
 
Yeah, the valve placement isn't ideal, though I don't struggle as much anymore. Get yourself one of the Accu-gage air gages, it's a must have; the clip attachment for the valve makes it REAL easy and you can fill the tire while it's connected. Here's the one I have:

EZ-Air Tire Gauge
Model# EZ02
Here's a pic, first one on URL: http://www.getagauge.com/

Be sure to get this one, it has a thumb release for the connection. You press the release, slide it on, then let go... it locks onto the valve. To disconnect, just squeeze the thumb release and pull off. You'll find quite a few accu-gages, but this one is by far the most useful; the one with the thumb release.
 
Yeah, the valve placement isn't ideal, though I don't struggle as much anymore. Get yourself one of the Accu-gage air gages, it's a must have; the clip attachment for the valve makes it REAL easy and you can fill the tire while it's connected. Here's the one I have:

EZ-Air Tire Gauge
Model# EZ02
Here's a pic, first one on URL: http://www.getagauge.com/

Be sure to get this one, it has a thumb release for the connection. You press the release, slide it on, then let go... it locks onto the valve. To disconnect, just squeeze the thumb release and pull off. You'll find quite a few accu-gages, but this one is by far the most useful; the one with the thumb release.



The one that I spoke of from Walmart is nearly identical to this one.
 
That EZ Air looks slick! Believe I'll get one for home, but I'll still pack the old sliding stick for on-the -road checks.
 
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