Garage air pumps...

[magicmonkey]

Bastard BP and the crappy Chinese GN build quality have come to a head today! I was checking the tyre pressures in the garage and the combination of an awkward hose and cheap valve lead to the valve stem snapping off and the back tyre deflating; I was most fucked off! I've had to push it to the nearest bike place and now I have to leave the bike in more-or-less the centre of town overnight until I can get them to have a look at it.

On the plus side, I've been thinking about a new chain for a while and if the back tyre is coming off I might as well get them both done at the same time...

[AllanB]

It's not a penis - you do not need to keep thrusting it in there!

Ya rough bugger!
Pop down to Bunnings or a decent bicycle shop and invest in a hand or foot pump for your shed. Tyre pressures are usually checked when cold so then you can do it and adjust it in the leisure of your own garage. Get your own gauge too - station ones are usually out due to being dropped so often.

[magicmonkey]

I didn't think I was being rough at the time, still, I suppose I must have been seeing as it fell off, doh!

I mean the valve, obviously; not my manhood ;)

[YellowDog]

Got one of those little compressors myself.

It is amazing how useful it is everytime you want to clean something or pumps something up.

[Paul in NZ]

Forecourt hoses are not designed for bikes - get a little 90 deg elbow thingy that screws on (and off) when you want to inflate the tyres. Just leave it in the jacket pocket, saves a lot of trouble.

[James Deuce]

Forecourt hoses are not designed for bikes - get a little 90 deg elbow thingy that screws on (and off) when you want to inflate the tyres. Just leave it in the jacket pocket, saves a lot of trouble.

Ooo Where did you get that?

[vifferman]

Forecourt hoses are not designed for bikes - get a little 90 deg elbow thingy that screws on (and off) when you want to inflate the tyres.
I went the other way, and got some blingy Ariete alloy 80-degree valve stems. They weren't cheap, but they look good and now I don't have problems with lack of clearance between the front disks and the valve stem.

[Paul in NZ]

Ooo Where did you get that?

WMC - it was a strictly under the counter in a brown paper sack deal...

Nah - I thought they were commonly available????

[FROSTY]

talk to a 'bloke" in a tyre shop.

[sil3nt]

Ooo Where did you get that?Seen them in supercheap or repco (both the same arent they?) :yes:

[James Deuce]

I've asked in Bike shops and Repco and SuperCheap and got a blank stare as a response. One guy in Repco showed me these big ugly 90 degree truck valves and expected me to buy them.

[Tashad]

haha - so appropriate! I went to do my tyres for the first time today. Spokes on my wheels are too close together to get the valve thingy on!!! and the hose was too solid at the top to flex around them. GRR - must have looked like a right dick on my hands and knees scrabbling around...:doh:

[Kickaha]

I've asked in Bike shops and Repco and SuperCheap and got a blank stare as a response. One guy in Repco showed me these big ugly 90 degree truck valves and expected me to buy them.

Try Stocks

477 Hutt Road
Lower Hutt
WELLINGTON

AutoParts & Tyre Repair Sales
FreePhone 0800-378 625 (Lower North Island Only)
Telephone 64-4-586 2100
FreeFax 0800-997 862 (Lower North Island Only)
Facsimile 64-4-586 0395
Email wnparts@georgestock.co.nz

[James Deuce]

Will do! Thank you!

[BMWST?]

garage air pumps with the longer shaft have been known to get a bend in em when i have been there....the ol gs doeant have much room between the rear DRUM brake and the rim....might have to look at a 90 deg thingy....

[cynna]

i use the pump at the local mobil. it has a smaller attachement then the long one found at other petrol stations. might pay to look around the different petrol stations. i used to stuggle until someone mentioned it on here when i was getting pissed off trying to force the attachment onto my valve

[magicmonkey]

well, I popped this in to Wellington Motorcycles this morning and they've already done the work! New tube, chain and labour only set me back just over $100!!

I've always done my own servicing on cars and I was intending to do the same with the bike but these guys are honest, cheap and quick. They also know a lot more about bikes than I ever will so I think I'll be heading back there next time I need some work done :)

[slofox]

Got one of those little compressors myself.

It is amazing how useful it is everytime you want to clean something or pumps something up.

Likewise. Got mine from Super Cheep Auto. About $60.00 IIRC. Great wee machine - carry it in the seat bag. Sure as hell beats a foot pump...

[gsx katana]

I do all my tyres at home,, before i go on a ride:scooter:

[yachtie10]

I had angles valves fitted when I last replaced the tyres
makes it much easier (cycletreads)

[Devil]

Get yourself a decent gauge, the gas station ones can be way out. I've seen them out as much as 6psi higher or lower.

[Crisis management]

I do all my tyres at home,, before i go on a ride:scooter:

+1,

$20 foot pump (Michelin brand) from Repco complete with its own accurate gauge is all I've used for years. I always do all my bike prep / maintenance at one time so I hate having to wander down the road to find a gas station with an air pump that works.

Cheaper than them 90 degree thingies too!

[Squiggles]

Get a 90 degree fitting and carry a gauge on you

[HenryDorsetCase]

I use the same track pump I use on my pushbikes, and a decent accurate pressure gauge. I'm anal about it though. check it every week and always before a decent ride.

I got my Accu-gauge from George Henry the local engineer merchants: I think its designed for 4WD tyres: its got a very low fange (0-40 or 50 psi).

Oh, and does ANYONE use anything other than PSI? metric system and all, but its like horsepower and miles per gallon to me. (though I am getting something of a feel for liters per hundred ks)

[awa355]

+1,

$20 foot pump (Michelin brand) from Repco complete with its own accurate gauge is all I've used for years. I always do all my bike prep / maintenance at one time so I hate having to wander down the road to find a gas station with an air pump that works.

Cheaper than them 90 degree thingies too!

I have a steel toecap fitted to my tyre gauge. Seems to work okay.