Rear Valve Stem Replacement - Caution

I decided to try a set of Metzler M3's and want to share a mishap I had in that process. I took the wheels off and brought them to a Honda shop to have the M3's mounted as well as valve stems replaced. The mechanic that did the work is tops in my book and has worked on my bikes for years. I put the new shoes back on the bike and went out to scuff them properly before setting off to see how they felt through my favorite set of corners, wonderful. 1/2 mile after those corners I went to leave an intersection and the rim was spinning inside a very flat tire.

The top of the newly installed valve stem had been sheared off by the rear caliper mounting assembly apparently as I coasted to a stop at the intersection!

Because the bike was not present when the tires were mounted the tech. put a standard length stem, approxiately 1/2" longer, in the rim without a thought. That oversight (mine and the mechanics) could have had grave consequences.

Not sure there's a lesson here other than sh-t happens, be careful.

Glad that you were okay! It's amazing how one tiny little oversight could have potentially been so deadly!

Thanks for sharing.

this is why i never understood why you need new valve stems unless they are leaking. Other for them to nickle and dime you for stuff.

Thanks for the heads-up.

I too subscribe to the theory that you need not replace stems each time. Once every 10 years maybe or if they're leaking or have been damaged.

Wow......... :biggrin:

Another alternative: :rolleyes:

[image: DSCF1538.jpg]

Always out of the way and easier to access and fill. :laugh:

Greg :laugh:

Get the metal 90 degree type.

It is your fault I am afraid to say. You should always spin the wheel and ck everything is lined up fine, no problems.

Glad it didnt happen at speed. Didnt it sound like a card in the spokes?

Uh, I would say both are at fault. The mechanic does NOT have the right to assume that any part he chooses to install will be fine. He should have replaced exactly what he took out.

Veefer MadnessWow......... :biggrin:

Another alternative: :rolleyes:

[image: DSCF1538.jpg]

Always out of the way and easier to access and fill. :laugh:

Greg :laugh:

Those are Ariete's. I installed them front and rear on mine. Makes checking the air pressure 10 times easier. Had to remove the front tire to install the front one, but I did the rear one with tire on the rim - just spooned off one side. A word of caution about Ariete's - you will have to take a 14 mm socket and turn down the end about half a millimeter or so to get it to drop down into the recess to tighten them up. Other than that, they were a piece of cake.

They are actually angled at 85°, not 90°.

soichiroGet the metal 90 degree type.

It is your fault I am afraid to say. You should always spin the wheel and ck everything is lined up fine, no problems.

Glad it didnt happen at speed. Didnt it sound like a card in the spokes?

I agree, ultimately it was my responsibility. With a modified exhaust note, ear plugs and a helmet on I couldn't hear it.

http://kurveygirl.com/shop/product_info.ph...products_id=144

Kurveygirl.com sells those 83 degree stems..

I have them mounted front and rear also.. There available in several colors..

I didnt have to do a thing to mine to install they fit fine..

As stated, They make checking pressures a Breeze and dont leak from centrifugal force as bad as standard strait valves..

I bought a pair of 90 degree stems from KurvyGirl on ebay she hooked me up!

http://myworld.ebay.com/kurveygirl

marid2apterbiltI have them mounted front and rear also.. There available in several colors..

I didnt have to do a thing to mine to install they fit fine..

As stated, They make checking pressures a Breeze and dont leak from centrifugal force as bad as standard strait valves..

:biggrin:

My Arietes did leak air a little for a while, as my "bike guy" at the time was a bit of a cowboy, so I stood at his elbow and told him not to overtighten them (being alloy, they're easy to break). As a result, they were a little bit loose. The front one's now fine (new tire fitted) and the rear one will be tightened slightly when the tire's replaced. At the moment, it's easy to move them slightly with the tire pressure gauge or air pump nozzle. Oh - that's a big plus; NONE of the gas stations here have air pump nozzles that fit on bike tires! They're all set up for cars. So now if I'm out'n'about, and need to add some air, I can at least use any gas station pump. :rolleyes:

But the main thing is they're BikeBling. That's very important, y'know.

In the last year, I have had two friends suffer major loss of air due to old valves. I think I will change out every third time.

SEBSPEEDUh, I would say both are at fault. The mechanic does NOT have the right to assume that any part he chooses to install will be fine. He should have replaced exactly what he took out.

True, he should of installed one the same length.

I got the ones pictured with michelin cap in red and love them.

Pete McCrary

Veefer MadnessWow......... :blush:

Another alternative: :blink:

[image: DSCF1538.jpg]

Always out of the way and easier to access and fill. :cool:

Greg :fing02:

Those are Ariete's. I installed them front and rear on mine. Makes checking the air pressure 10 times easier. Had to remove the front tire to install the front one, but I did the rear one with tire on the rim - just spooned off one side. A word of caution about Ariete's - you will have to take a 14 mm socket and turn down the end about half a millimeter or so to get it to drop down into the recess to tighten them up. Other than that, they were a piece of cake.

They are actually angled at 85°, not 90°.

I didnt have to do any special work. They bolted right up with 1/4 inch socket and torque wrench.

LeftyI decided to try a set of Metzler M3's and want to share a mishap I had in that process. I took the wheels off and brought them to a Honda shop to have the M3's mounted as well as valve stems replaced. The mechanic that did the work is tops in my book and has worked on my bikes for years. I put the new shoes back on the bike and went out to scuff them properly before setting off to see how they felt through my favorite set of corners, wonderful. 1/2 mile after those corners I went to leave an intersection and the rim was spinning inside a very flat tire.

The top of the newly installed valve stem had been sheared off by the rear caliper mounting assembly apparently as I coasted to a stop at the intersection!

Because the bike was not present when the tires were mounted the tech. put a standard length stem, approxiately 1/2" longer, in the rim without a thought. That oversight (mine and the mechanics) could have had grave consequences.

Not sure there's a lesson here other than sh-t happens, be careful.

Glad you were okay and discovered this while not moving. Be careful to replace whatever it is with a comparable item of the same dimensions. Always do a dry fit and / or test first. In this case, just spinning the wheel, would have uncovered the too long valve stem. I could tell you a similiar situation I encountered when I mistakenly switched two different length bolts. But, I think we all learned a good lesson . Thanks for sharing the experience. This should make everyone stop and check the next time new tires go on.

Mr. Zed,

an honor to be speaking with you.

And, watch what yer sayin' 'bout Cowboys , hah , many hahs !!!!

I was just wondering what your distinction would be between bike and car tires?

Would it be the difference between Schrader and Presta valve stems.

Autos in the US all have Schrader valve stems. Some bicycles have the narrower Presta stems (like on sew-up bicycle tires).

If this is the distinction I would remind that there is and adapter to go from a Presta Valve to a Schrader Valve.

If you can, get Casey back in gear and back on the track. The series really needs that boy.

Cheers, .. .. . .. ... . .

MikeC

H**L I AIN'T A COWBOY, I JUST FOUND THE HAT, :-)

__________________________________________________________

enzed_viffer

marid2apterbiltI have them mounted front and rear also.. There available in several colors..

I didnt have to do a thing to mine to install they fit fine..

As stated, They make checking pressures a Breeze and dont leak from centrifugal force as bad as standard strait valves..

:blush:

My Arietes did leak air a little for a while, as my "bike guy" at the time was a bit of a cowboy, so I stood at his elbow and told him not to overtighten them (being alloy, they're easy to break). As a result, they were a little bit loose. The front one's now fine (new tire fitted) and the rear one will be tightened slightly when the tire's replaced. At the moment, it's easy to move them slightly with the tire pressure gauge or air pump nozzle. Oh - that's a big plus; NONE of the gas stations here have air pump nozzles that fit on bike tires! They're all set up for cars. So now if I'm out'n'about, and need to add some air, I can at least use any gas station pump. :blink:

But the main thing is they're BikeBling. That's very important, y'know.

soichiro

Pete McCrary

Veefer MadnessWow......... :blush:

Another alternative: :blink:

Always out of the way and easier to access and fill. :cool:

Greg :fing02:

Those are Ariete's. I installed them front and rear on mine. Makes checking the air pressure 10 times easier. Had to remove the front tire to install the front one, but I did the rear one with tire on the rim - just spooned off one side. A word of caution about Ariete's - you will have to take a 14 mm socket and turn down the end about half a millimeter or so to get it to drop down into the recess to tighten them up. Other than that, they were a piece of cake.

They are actually angled at 85°, not 90°.

I didnt have to do any special work. They bolted right up with 1/4 inch socket and torque wrench.

I put a drop of blue Locktite on the threads. Really don`t want the nut coming off. Other than that, they went in just fine and I snugged them down, not too tight, but they won`t spin. Work great, especially with big rotors on the front, face them to the right so you can check/fill that much easier with the bike on the sidestand.

Last year, I needed to get my bike leagal befor seb's fall ride. So I go to have it inspected in Maryland. It fails for among other things "Bad air valves" They looked fine to me and they didnt leak, but the nimrod said they wernt changed with the tyres so "fail"

After I did some stuff to get it through, I also cleaned the valve stems to make em look new. Fail again. So I replaced the stems (You can do it without removing the tyre) and left the shop. Same thing happened with the caliper and the longer stem. Flat tyre on 95 during evening rush hour, extra fail.

I was ther mechanic and the customer so who do I blame? I blame the idiot inspector who also said I needed "My calipers rebuilt", and that is strange because one year and 14000 miles later, those same calipers, with the same brake pads are doing just fine. But I digress.

Check for clearance, Clarence.

Sounds like he was trying to Ream your wallet Roger..