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I tried to check my tyre pressures using a standard garage forecourt type inflator and it was a right game of jiggery fucking pokey,all the boy racers sniggering as I struggled with the stupid thing feeding it though gaps in the discs ect.
So I bought some nicely made 90 degree valve adaptors, they weigh around 20 grams each, will this throw my wheels out of balance when I fit them ?

Only if a sniggering boy racer gets trapped between the spokes as you run over him? :)

No. Do it. They are a wonderful invention and I wouldn't use anything else on any bike I own. They make pumping your tyres up a piece of piss instead of a refined form of torture.

The other thing that really makes inflating your tyres easy is buying a cheap compressor (Aldi, Lidl, etc.) No more pratting about on Tesco's forecourt.

I used to use a 90 degree adapter but only fitted it when I was pumping up the tyres. The rest of the time it lived in the tool roll.

Best solution is to fit 90 degree valves when you get the tyres changed. They'll be balanced with the tyre fitting and are a great long-term solution.

Sorry - I was talking about 90 degree valve stems (i.e. the ones you need to fit when changing tyres). The adaptors are a pretty poor halfway house - liable to get nicked if you leave the bike unattended with them fitted and almost as much faff to fit and use as standard valves. The only real long-term solution (IMHO) are 90 degree valves.

I'm with D-rider and the Mango man, use the 90 degree items when you need them and remove. Imagine the forces that extra weight is exerting at mental speeds.

Fit a set of angled valves when you next change the tyres. Make sure you get the correct diameter valves as they are not the same as Jap ones. Triumph may be the same as the Ape, but make sure 1st

I agree too, get the 90° valves fitted next time.

And never leave the adaptor connected to the bike if you use one, it'll rip your valve out at speed after a while.

Same approach as D-R and others, I've got a removable 90-deg adaptor.

Or buy some Oz wheels, haven't needed the adaptor since getting those

Japanese bikes use the 11.3mm valve stem, Aprilia and Ducati (and possibly other European makes) use the 8.3mm valve stem. Readily available on eBay and other high quality (?) establishments...

Firestarter wrote:Same approach as D-R and others, I've got a removable 90-deg adaptor.

Or buy some Oz wheels, haven't needed the adaptor since getting those

The 90 degree adapters sometimes have a bit of a problem sealing on OZ rims due to the profile of the centre section - particularly the rear wheel. Therefore I have a 90 degree on the front (where you really need it) and a straight on one the rear (where access is easy).

My BST rims both have right angle valves.

D-Rider wrote:The 90 degree adapters sometimes have a bit of a problem sealing on OZ rims due to the profile of the centre section - particularly the rear wheel. Therefore I have a 90 degree on the front (where you really need it) and a straight on one the rear (where access is easy).

My BST rims both have right angle valves.

Yes, I found that, as well. But an additional O-ring of the right size and a dab of silicone sealant soon fixed that. I'm not sure if there isn't a slight central seam on the Oz wheels that needs gently relieving, as well.

Here's a solution from some Aussie Cali lads. Haven't tried it myself yet.




I asked about the effect on wheel balance. One replied

"Boyd Jeffery Martin, They weigh very little. I have one of these tube front and rear and no effect on handling etc. Just makes the old tire pressure check easier and I'm able to use a service station pump without contorting."

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/14105304 ... cation=ufi

Crikey - Mart's added to a thread without telling us that we should all have shaft drive bikes as you don't need to blow the tyres up on them .... or something like that ....

Or ask the fitter to fit 45deg or 90deg valve when you have have your tyres done. If they try to charge you more, call um 'robbin gits' as they cost the same to buy as a normal valve.

Willopotomas wrote:Or ask the fitter to fit 45deg or 90deg valve when you have have your tyres done. If they try to charge you more, call um 'robbin gits' as they cost the same to buy as a normal valve.

Keep up Will, keep up !