I think I have value stem leaks on both my tires. I was wondering if the procedure to fix this should be done by a tire shop/bike mechanic, or can I attempts to do this procedure? Has anyone attempted to fix this issue them selves before? Are specific tools needed? Thanks for the help.
Buy an analog tire pressure gauge that has bleeder. Handy to determine the amount of leakage over time. This type guage is more accurate than the pen type gauges. Overfill your tires by a few pounds and put on new valve caps. This will give you an idea of the cause of the leak (s) The problem could be as simple as needing new valve cores. http://www.slime.com/shop/category/products/tire-care/valve-caps-tire-valves-extenders/ Any automotive supply has similar products.
Spray some soapy water around the valve stems to verify whether or not you have a substantial leak. Just so you know it is recommended that standard rubber valve stems be replaced at every tire change but I always thought this was overkill and could be stretched to every other tire change. I would highly recommend angled aluminum stems which don't need to be replaced like the rubber stems. Replacing the stems is obviously easier with the tire off but you may be able to let all the air out of the tire and then use a large C-Clamp to compress the tire inward enough so that the stem opening is accessible. Once the opening is accessible you just need to insert the new stem through the backside of the wheel and then pull the stem through from the spoked side of the wheel. To avoid damaging the threads while pulling the stem through you can thread a bolt on the end of the stem and then grasp the bolt with the pliers while pulling the stem through using a side to side rocking motion. A little liquid soap on the bottom of the stem base will also help since it acts as a lubricant. It is also much easier to seat the new stem if you can apply some forward pressure from the backside of the stem at the same time you are pulling it though. Rollin
I used to have the rubber stems replaced with each tire change. Hell they are cheap. But now I have the metal angled stems. Like Rollin says, they are far better than the rubber ones. Easier to check the air pressure and easier to add air. Especially the front tire where the rotor gets in the way. Also like Badbilly said, it could very well just be a core that is worn, broken or even just a little loose. The soap and water trick is an easy way to see just where the leak is. If it is the core, I doubt that it is worn, just in need of tightening.
I have the same problem once during Long's BBQ and I have to cut the ride short. Turn out the sterm is loose. All you have to do is turn the cap around and tighten the sterm and the problem solve. As mention above the angle valve is a good alternative :thumbsup:
Maybe we should all get together and whip up a soapy water combo in a rattlecan, slap a HD logo on it and make a fortune selling it to the harleydoods that think they have everything. Best IMO to measure any valvestems, valvecaps or those LED farklecaps that are initiated by centripetal force. Not a lot of wiggle room on some of the VFR rear wheels.
