tyre pressure and adjustment.

[pritch]

Of course VFR and BMW owners and the like will be amused by this talk of right-angle attachments...

[ajturbo]

i was using my commpressor and inflater thingy at home... little did i know that the gauge was broken...... yep the tyer blew up in my face.... i shit myself... i was looking at the dial as it read 40psi......





luckly it was only my push bike tyre... but it blew out the rim also!!!

[Rainbow Wizard]

Shell service stations have digital air lines and the nozzle fits bikes with ease. The readout is accurate too.

I find the digital thingies only work properly on big wheels, you can forget the accuracy on pushbikes and motorbike front wheels. In fact most of the time there's not even enough cushion in bike tyres to allow the bloody demented digital doo-dars to trigger an inflation shunt. I say carry the adapter AND a pressure gauge, it's the only way to be sure.

[bluninja]

Buy an Accugauge Pressure Gauge and a $19.95 compressor (plugs in cigarette socket) and you will never look back.

I thought it was only Goldwings that had a cigarette lighter socket? Oh I see, you just flag down some cage driver and say 'Hey Bro, can I use your lighter socket to inflate my tyres?'

I use a large volume bike pump.....unless you're tyres have a real problem you should only be doing a little work to adjust the pressure. Check the pressure either with the pen type gauge, or my accurate pressure gauge (though it doesn't say how long it stays accurate for).

[svs]

I've been thinking of getting one of those electric pumps from Repco.

I got one for racing a while back. It was crap. Didn't inflate very well and blew fuses in both our cars. Took it back and got a mitchellin double barrel foot pump. Much better - guage accurate too.

[FlyingDutchMan]

Got a BP near me which has a digital pump. I visit it once a week or so and never had a problem yet. Except the damn rear loses 6psi in that time :disapint: damn bloody stoopid arrowmax *grumble*

[Dodgyiti]

And unless your nearest free air is less than 1km from home that will be HOT tyre pressures you'll be taking. The rated pressures for tyres are COLD pressures.

And that is why- for $35 - I bought a foot pump with a flexible connector that fits everything it's been tried on. All this in the comfort of your own garage.
It does take a huge effort to pump up a car tyre from flat on the ground, but for topping up bike tyres, it's a dream.

[Paul in NZ]

4psi? Is that the rule - arse! Too many variables determine the hot tyre temp - road temp, ambient temp, tyre pressure, road surface, riding style, blah blah blah. Only race teams can accurately monitor hot tyre temps for given conditions as they can limit the variables - but this is the most preferable temp to monitor for optimal tyre performance. However, given most people are only able to gauge cold tyre temps - this is what the manufacturers give us.

I ran my R1 tyres at 36 front and 38 rear - never had a problem. Once you know your cold tyre pressures you are away

Buy an Accugauge Pressure Gauge and a $19.95 compressor (plugs in cigarette socket) and you will never look back.

Yes all true but very often the bike maker and the tyre maker will recommend different pressures for different reasons (both to make their product look good) and there is a big difference (as you point out) in conditions and useage. (temp, road, pillion, luggage, speed)

However, an approx 4 psi gain cold to hot is what you are aiming for and should adjust your cold pressure to achieve. Ideally it's about a 10% increase. So knowing your cold pressure is all about measuring them and your hot pressure....

Naturally on my old shit box it really don't matter as long as it has some air in the tyres so I couldn't give a hoot.... But a 10% gain is the theory...

Supposedly...

WTF would I know. I'm still impressed with telescopic forks....

Paul N

[Hitcher]

I too am the proud owner/operator of a Michelin double-barrel foot pump. No problemo to add a couple of PSI every once in a while as needed.

[TwoSeven]

Buy a foot pump and check the tires before you go for a ride. At the same time as you do the pre-ride inspection that you should also be doing.

[crazylittleshit]

Shell service stations have digital air lines and the nozzle fits bikes with ease. The readout is accurate too.

"sweet" I was wondering about that you never know until you go into that corner and then its to late.

[crashe]

I also carry around a little gadget in my pocket to put onto the rear tyre....
As I too cant find no garages with the air thing that will fit on the back tyre..... the front tyre they fit on no sweat.. but by the time that you screw it on , pump in the air and unscrew it... ya do loose a little bit of air...

But I do also pop in to see Kerry at Motohaus to get him to check it as well.... well its a good excuse to just pop in to have a chat with him as well...

[ajturbo]

i don't bother taking anything with me... if the nossel doesn't fit on the bike .. i just bend it till it..
1. fits
2. breaks..... then i go to the next one.....
3. do it at home..!

[bane]

I use a service station pump, but the key is I *always* use the same pump at the same ss. Dont know (or care) how accurate the gauge is, but 40psi on the gauge is just right for me.

[Sniper]

Ummm, I use one in Blenheim that just attaches mint as and also has a digital reader to tell me that its letting my tyres down rather that inflating them.

PS, dont use a bicycle pump