The cost of tyre repairs

[slofox]

Following on from the saga of Monday's aborted ride due to puncture...

New tyres fitted since they were about 1200km from replacement anyway. A couple of weeks earlier than anticipated and payment in the wrong month but hey, ya get that...

So I needed more gas cylinders for the repair kit...the big 45 gm jobs. A pair of them cost $56...:argh: fifty friggin six dollars! Goddam. I thought the cylinders were steel - turns out they're bloody GOLD! I was gonna get a couple spares but decided not to bother.

Instead I had investigated the possibility of a little 12v compressor. Slime do one but after reading the review of it (webikeworld I think) I decided not to bother with that one - review found it totally useless. They did recommend an AirMan "Sparrow" model but I couldn't find a source of one in NZ or Aus. They're Danish or summat.

So I decided to take a looksee at the auto shops to check out compressors. Went to Superchirp Autos and them Ripco. What a contrast in the impression ratios there.

The young girl in Superchirp actually knew all about the products she had in stock - told me all the specs (confirmed on the packaging) and recommended the SCA model (naturally enough). But it did have good specs and I think will do the job admirably, being as how it ain't too big or too heavy and will fit in the seat bag. 19 litres of air per minute at 0psi and 11 litres per minute at 40psi it reckons...5.5 minutes for large car tyre (215/60R16) to 30psi. $60.

Contrast Ripco. Old dragon looked blank when I asked - said "we don't do those", walked around the corner where there was a shelf of them and then said "Oh yes we do - there ya go", pointing aimlessly..."What can you tell me about any of these models?" I ask politely. "Dunno" she says "They're just pumps". Well, gee, thanks - you're obviously really in touch with your stock lines aren'tcha? Anyhoo, I had a look and they were all crap as far as I could tell. Besides, she was obviously a fuckwit so NO SALE!

So straight back to Superchirp and bought the one recommended. Told the young lady how much I appreciated her knowledge of her products and that I would recommend her store to others. Which I am doing right here and now.

Now to test the pump and hope it bloody does what it says!

[TOTO]

let us know if its any good ?

How does the one you bough connect to power supply on the bike ?

[slofox]

let us know if its any good ?

How does the one you bought connect to power supply on the bike ?

I put in a distribution block under the seat. So I can run various auxiliary circuits from that for whatever accessories I want. I have one spare plug mounted by the speedo - I could plug into that but the plug itself is probably not rated high enough amperage to survive the 10a the pump will pull. I'll probably install an extra circuit to a ciggy light socket - the pump is designed to go into such an one...might leave it under the pillion seat - they're rather big to mount round the dash.

[vifferman]

What sort of distribution (fuse?) block did you put in?
I actually have one of those "useless" Slime compressors. It works well (that is to say, it did the one time I used it - to pump up a car tyre from completely flat.)

[slofox]

What sort of distribution (fuse?) block did you put in?
I actually have one of those "useless" Slime compressors. It works well (that is to say, it did the one time I used it - to pump up a car tyre from completely flat.)

1. I used this (http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php) idea.

2. Yeah I wondered about that - their review was really septic though...reckoned five minutes of running put 1.5psi in the tyre...

[vifferman]

To be honest, I haven't used the thing since (about 3 or four years ago) so I should really run it to see if it works. It's certainly compact, and comes in a convenient bag. The only real beef I have with it is that the pressure gauge is useless: it goes up to 12 meeelleeon pissies, so the graduations for RealWorld pressures are so close together as to be meaningless.

I fitted a BlueSea 5025 fuseblock under my seat, connected to my battery via a taillight-activated 30A relay. <s>All</s> Almost all the accessories and whatnot connect to it: heated grips, horns, ciggie socket, R/R cooling fan, etc. The gargre door opener doesn't currently plug into the bike power (still runs off the 12V internal battery). If/when I get a voltmeter, that will connect into it as well.

[Swoop]

I fitted a BlueSea 5025 fuseblock under my seat
Will you have to re label that outlet to "Sea Kitten Finder"???:scratch:

[SMOKEU]

I thought puncture repairs were free.

[slofox]

I fitted a BlueSea 5025 fuseblock under my seat, connected to my battery via a taillight-activated 30A relay. <s>All</s> Almost all the accessories and whatnot connect to it: heated grips, horns, ciggie socket, R/R cooling fan, etc. The gargre door opener doesn't currently plug into the bike power (still runs off the 12V internal battery). If/when I get a voltmeter, that will connect into it as well.

That's pretty much how my distro block works as well - off the tail light circuit via a relay. 20a fuse inline there somewhere. Hasn't blown up yet...

[sleemanj]

F
So I needed more gas cylinders for the repair kit...the big 45 gm jobs. A pair of them cost $56...:argh: fifty friggin six


Yow. What about smaller ones. I got a bunch of 16gm ones on Trademe a while back way cheaper than that. My googling tells me that 4 of those will fill the rear tyre to around 35psi, so I think I have 4 or maybe 6 stashed on the bike.

I think gun shops sell these things in bulk (at least smaller sizes) because pellet/painball guns etc run off them. Probably a lot cheaper than from a bike shop because they'll be selling a lot more of them.

You should have a look next time you go past a gun place, even with a compressor, can only be handy to chuck a couple in the repair kit just in case.


The young girl in Superchirp actually knew all about the ... Contrast Ripco. Old dragon looked blank when I asked

With the overstaffing I've seen in ripco, I'm not surprised they have to charge like a wounded bull to stay afloat. The other day I went into one of the locals and staff out numbered customers by about 10 to 1, all of them just yak yakking to each other not doing anything (not that there was anything to do).

Anyway, how big is this compressor thingee, get out your digital camera, I love new on-bike-toolkit-toys :-)

[Mystic13]

I have the Slime like the guy above from Repco and in the bag. It gets used pretty heavily for car tyres, motorcycle tyres, kids balls, bicycle tyres. It's been reliable.

Slime also do a mini one that you see online overseas. the mini one is the size of a CO2 kit. I have the next size up (02) that you get from repco. I needed it in a hurry and couldn't wait for the baby to be posted out.

http://www.slime.com/category_14_Tire-Inflators.html

here's a report on the baby one. There are other brands that may be better.

http://www.gadgetjq.com/slime_pump.htm

The deal is who cares that the baby one takes a few minutes to do the job. In the middle of nowhere it's a saviour.

I went electric because I realised the short comings of C02

[slofox]

Anyway, how big is this compressor thingee, get out your digital camera, I love new on-bike-toolkit-toys :-)

If I leave it in the box, which I will do for the sake of tidiness, the package measures 185x140x90mm. Weighs 1500gm.

I do have two gas cylinders as well - just in case the electrical thing fucks up somehow.

Pix attached. Two battery torch to provide some idea of scale.

[p.dath]

I think I'll stick to a cell phone and an AA+ membership. :)

[sleemanj]

I think I'll stick to a cell phone and an AA+ membership. :)

Hmm, if I get a flat, I think I'd rather spend 5 to 10 minutes fixing it and be on my way, than try and get a signal on my phone, hope the battery isn't flat, wait for an hour while the AA guy gets around to coming, help him to load it onto a truck because he can't fix it neither... etc etc.

[The Pastor]

so whats wrong with a footpump??

[slofox]

so whats wrong with a footpump??

I looked at those as well RM. Size was the problem really - couldn't find one as small as the 12v jobbie...

Besides, I'm a lazy cunt...

[insomnia01]

Now to test the pump and hope it bloody does what it says!

You should simulate a puncture for the sake of your biker brothers & Sisters then post a report on how well its done :hug::hug:

[slofox]

You should simulate a puncture for the sake of your biker brothers & Sisters then post a report on how well its done :hug::hug:

Just done. Well, not exactly a puncture but...

Wired in the ciggie lighter socket thingy which will reside under the pillion seat for the sake of tidiness - can't be having with it hanging round about...five minute job. Have to say, installing a distribution block is a very useful mod. Makes installing new circuits a doddle.

Checked pressure of new rear tyre - 35 psi. Sposta be 36. Let a bit out (34psi) and hooked up the compressor. Turned it on (engine running of course) and nothing exploded! Amazing. Ran it for twenty seconds. Turned off and disconnected the hose from the valve. Now that is the tricky part. No doubt it will become easier with time but J F C, the bastard didn't want to let go...

When I finally got it off, after spilling air everywhere while I fought it off the valve stem, there was still 37psi in the tyre. So allowing for what spilled back out, I reckon that 20 seconds was good for about 5psi at least.

The compressor has its own pressure gauge which suggested about 7psi increase but I haven't checked how accurate it is against my usual one. More fiddling about will happen over the coming weeks as I adjust pressures and compare gauges etc etc etc....

Overall, this little compressor is looking pretty damn good. To be recommended I say.

[vifferman]

I have the Slime like the guy above from Repco and in the bag. I have the next size up (02) that you get from repco.
Ah!
That's the one I have too. None of them would probably fit under my seat anyway, and I needed the one with Slime included to fit a slow leak on one of our car tyres.
I think the only shortcoming (apart from the crappy gauge) is the slow air delivery. If the tyre bead wasn't completely seated, you'd have no show of getting it to pop back on, but then nothing short of a decent sized compressor would do that.

[vifferman]

Pix attached.
That's a decent looking unit, and unlike the Slime one, you could replace the gauge if it's inaccurate.
Maybe I should see if I can disassemble mine....
Hmmmmmm.......

[slofox]

That's a decent looking unit

It sure did the bizo this morning anyway. I reckon you'd have a 160/60 from 0 to 36 in less than two minutes...

[slofox]

The last set of tyres lasted ten months. That's $50.00 per month just for tyres. Plus about $120 a month for gas. And rego at current rates (until ACC goes up anyway) is another $27.00ish. Plus maybe another $50.00 per month on servicing etc....

Just as well I didn't buy a bike to save money...

[slofox]

Following on from the saga of Monday's aborted ride due to puncture...

New tyres fitted since they were about 1200km from replacement anyway. A couple of weeks earlier than anticipated and payment in the wrong month but hey, ya get that...

So I needed more gas cylinders for the repair kit...the big 45 gm jobs. A pair of them cost $56...:argh: fifty friggin six dollars! Goddam. I thought the cylinders were steel - turns out they're bloody GOLD! I was gonna get a couple spares but decided not to bother.

Instead I had investigated the possibility of a little 12v compressor. Slime do one but after reading the review of it (webikeworld I think) I decided not to bother with that one - review found it totally useless. They did recommend an AirMan "Sparrow" model but I couldn't find a source of one in NZ or Aus. They're Danish or summat.

So I decided to take a looksee at the auto shops to check out compressors. Went to Superchirp Autos and them Ripco. What a contrast in the impression ratios there.

The young girl in Superchirp actually knew all about the products she had in stock - told me all the specs (confirmed on the packaging) and recommended the SCA model (naturally enough). But it did have good specs and I think will do the job admirably, being as how it ain't too big or too heavy and will fit in the seat bag. 19 litres of air per minute at 0psi and 11 litres per minute at 40psi it reckons...5.5 minutes for large car tyre (215/60R16) to 30psi. $60.

Contrast Ripco. Old dragon looked blank when I asked - said "we don't do those", walked around the corner where there was a shelf of them and then said "Oh yes we do - there ya go", pointing aimlessly..."What can you tell me about any of these models?" I ask politely. "Dunno" she says "They're just pumps". Well, gee, thanks - you're obviously really in touch with your stock lines aren'tcha? Anyhoo, I had a look and they were all crap as far as I could tell. Besides, she was obviously a fuckwit so NO SALE!

So straight back to Superchirp and bought the one recommended. Told the young lady how much I appreciated her knowledge of her products and that I would recommend her store to others. Which I am doing right here and now.

Now to test the pump and hope it bloody does what it says!


Somehow I found this post today.

Just thought I should say that the pump is still doing everything it should and..also... that I have never had to use it.

But I still use it to set pressures etc. Nice piece of kit to have. Nifty little pump.

[AllanB]

Mate - let the tyre right down then pump it up and see how long it takes! Check the box as there will no doubt be a limit on how long they recommend running it for before it overheats.

[G4L4XY]

I think I'll stick to a cell phone and an AA+ membership. :)

Agreed


Hmm, if I get a flat, I think I'd rather spend 5 to 10 minutes fixing it and be on my way, than try and get a signal on my phone, hope the battery isn't flat, wait for an hour while the AA guy gets around to coming, help him to load it onto a truck because he can't fix it neither... etc etc.

Oh crap this sounds pretty good too. who oh who do I believe!!

[awa355]

Somehow I found this post today.

Just thought I should say that the pump is still doing everything it should and..also... that I have never had to use it.

But I still use it to set pressures etc. Nice piece of kit to have. Nifty little pump.

FFS Slo, try the pump out on someone else's bike tyre.

[Jjgres]

I've been carrying a compact bicycle-tire hand pump. Had opportunity to use it several times. I seem to get a lot of flats. Weighs nothing, takes forever to fill a tire. Like the guy said, what else have you got to do?

On the plus side, it never runs out of air.