Every time I have tires changed, I spend $5 or so on every new valve stem. The guy says he has to replace them. Are they milking me for a few extra bucks each time or is it really a good idea to change them every time?
Yes I am a cheap bastard.
2 years ago, MD would not pass my bike in a state inspection until I replaced the perfectly good (and stock) stems. So I did. And the new rear one failed 2 miles later.
I would say "not necessary" ......after 99,880 miles on my 04, I still have the same valve stems. They hold pressure exactly the same and are not dry rotting and cracking. BUT, when I do, I will surely put in some with the 90 degree bend! :fing02:
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 01 November 2010 - 07:50 PM, said:
2 years ago, MD would not pass my bike in a state inspection until I replaced the perfectly good (and stock) stems. So I did. And the new rear one failed 2 miles later.
It's the same principle as selling light bulbs! They use to last forever, but if they sell you shitty ones that burn out quickly, than you have to buy way more valve stems, errr.....I mean light bulbs! :goofy:
[image: View Post]timmythecop, on 01 November 2010 - 07:50 PM, said:
2 years ago, MD would not pass my bike in a state inspection until I replaced the perfectly good (and stock) stems. So I did. And the new rear one failed 2 miles later.
How/what did they not like about the ones you had? is there a date on them?
I usually look for cracks or not holding air....... but I go though 3 sets a year +/- ......... I've always changed them on my cars because the tyre last so long...........
Thing is about valve stems is they can dry rot and get cracks around the bottom that are hard to see if you aren't looking. Also, you can plug a tire if you get a nail in it while out on a ride, but you can't replace a valve stem without taking the tire off. It's cheap insurance. I had the aluminum 90 degree stems on my Yamaha and my local shop charges $3 for a pair of valve stems.
[image: View Post]tpierce(MP), on 01 November 2010 - 09:47 PM, said:
but you can't replace a valve stem without taking the tire off..
:mellow:
:laughing6-hehe:
YES YOU CAN!!! :comp13:
pop the bead on 1 side of the tire.. use a valve puller 'wire style ' from matco.. and pull the sucker through.. and inflate! heck i did my pals bike and didnt even take the wheels off. :fing02:
the inspection guy needs to be bitch slapped Timmy, or at least thrown in a holding cell!
i use HD valves stems! :blink:
i know , i know, i know, :blink:
but they are made of metal and and are threaded like dirt bike valves with out the tube :bliss:
To those of you out there spending 3-5 bux for a valve stem, can I PLEEEEEZ sell them to you at 2.50 ea? :laughing6-hehe: :laughing6-hehe:
I'll even sell the chrome pull in ones for the same price, even tho they cost me alot more......those are 32 cents apiece.
Seriously guys if the shop your using is screwing you over that bad find another one to deal with. If thats not an option I will send them to you but dont pay that much anymore.
I think in most cases it's a liability thing for the shops as well. Years ago I used to work for Cycle Gear and we'd require new stems with tire changes. Probably a good rule of thumb anyway as the rubber tends to crack over time. I've also had the valve stem plunger part go bad a couple of times as well (easy fix, so long as you have spares and not out riding when it happens!)
On my last bike (06 GSX-R750), I had the replaced the rubber valve stems with alloy ones and didn't have to deal with it any longer.
BTW, thanks for the post on the 83 degree stems, those look great and it'll make getting a gauge on them that much easier! :cool:
[image: View Post]gll429, on 02 November 2010 - 09:26 AM, said:
[image: View Post]tpierce(MP), on 01 November 2010 - 09:47 PM, said:
but you can't replace a valve stem without taking the tire off..
:mellow:
:laughing6-hehe:
YES YOU CAN!!! :comp13:
pop the bead on 1 side of the tire.. use a valve puller 'wire style ' from matco.. and pull the sucker through.. and inflate! heck i did my pals bike and didnt even take the wheels off. :fing02:
the inspection guy needs to be bitch slapped Timmy, or at least thrown in a holding cell!
i use HD valves stems! :blink:
i know , i know, i know, :blink:
but they are made of metal and and are threaded like dirt bike valves with out the tube :bliss:
I carry extra stems on tour and have rigged a old valve stem core as a pull through device. Carry it with me on tour with my tube KLR and the VFR.
[image: View Post]Psychobabble, on 02 November 2010 - 01:55 PM, said:
I think in most cases it's a liability thing for the shops as well. Years ago I used to work for Cycle Gear and we'd require new stems with tire changes. Probably a good rule of thumb anyway as the rubber tends to crack over time. I've also had the valve stem plunger part go bad a couple of times as well (easy fix, so long as you have spares and not out riding when it happens!)
On my last bike (06 GSX-R750), I had the replaced the rubber valve stems with alloy ones and didn't have to deal with it any longer.
BTW, thanks for the post on the 83 degree stems, those look great and it'll make getting a gauge on them that much easier! :cool:
It is Cycle Gear I'm talking about. It could be comp. policy rather than reaching for the extra coin.
After having the front tire go flat up on the mountain, due to a valve stem that went bad, MY policy is I want a new one with every new tire.
That was no fun. Riding on a flat sucks. Valve stems are cheap. :goofy:
[image: View Post]VFR4Lee, on 02 November 2010 - 07:50 PM, said:
After having the front tire go flat up on the mountain, due to a valve stem that went bad, MY policy is I want a new one with every new tire.
That was no fun. Riding on a flat sucks. Valve stems are cheap. :goofy:
when all the new tire valves were failing couple year back, cycle gear couldnt replace them, so you had to run your existing stems.
End of thread · 23 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 7 Jan 2011
![[image: Posted Image]](http://www.kurveygirl.com/valve/Black%20Valve%20Stem%20-%20ST1300.jpg){kind=link}