Small electric air pump

[mriddle]

Saw this and thought it was interesting. May try it .. will post if/when I do.

Do you carry anything with you like this ?

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/air-pump/


Mike

 

[txironhead]

Looks like something that would be great to take on trips. Kinda wondering what else was in the plastic case that took up all of the extra room.

 

[Jethro]

I just bought some C02 cartridges to pack along with a plug set. I used to use the C02 when I mountain biked all the time. Very small and easy to pack.

If you want the real deal, this is it: http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_13&products_id=5451

 

[cberkeley]

I bought this kit for $12.00 and it works great. Did not try it on my Mootorcycle, but when I collected it in NJ a few months ago, I had to use it on my buddy's car when we picked up a nail in a front tire and his jack was kaput .....it works great. http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...e/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=air+pump

 

[Steve]

I just bought some C02 cartridges to pack along with a plug set. I used to use the C02 when I mountain biked all the time. Very small and easy to pack.

Yes, "small and easy to pack", but the difference in size between a bicycle tire and a motorcycle tire is rather phenomenal. :shock: It might only take one cartridge to inflate a bike tire, but I have heard others mention that it might take 5 or 6 cartridges to inflate a rear tire on a motorcycle. For the space (and cost) that 5 or 6 cartridges take, you might as well get the small compressor and be done with it. \\/


.

 

[txironhead]

I bought this kit for $12.00 and it works great. Did not try it on my Mootorcycle, but when I collected it in NJ a few months ago, I had to use it on my buddy's car when we picked up a nail in a front tire and his jack was kaput .....it works great. http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...e/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=air+pump

That is just too effin' cool. Turns your spark plug hole into an air pump. The only thing I'd be worried about is overinflation, some of these bikes can pump 140 psi on a compression test. For the size and the price, that is definitely a kit I'll be looking into. It's even cheaper than the compressor mod (compressor's going for $17.99 at my local wally world) and it comes with a patch kit!

 

[spyug]

I took one of these inflater pumps and stripped off the plastics about 4 years ago and carry it on all my rides. Easy, cheap and compact. Works well.I like the engine pump kit but it would be more fiddly to set up. The electric pump goes on in seconds and takes a few minutes to fill the tire.

A great insurance blanket.....haven't had to use it but it does give peace of mind.

Try it, you'll like it.

Cheers all,
Spyug

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

I have both types. Never have needed them for the bike. Have used the 12v one on car

 

[cberkeley]

Sounds good, as soon as I get my new 1600 Vulcan (next week) I will assess the available storage real-estate and decide which pump I'll get for it. On the Suzuki, I have managed to conceal a comprehensive set of tools, plus a Digital Multimeter, Patch/Inflation Kit, First-Aid kit, spare fuses, plugs, clutch-cable, some electrical wire, tape, wireties and a piece of nylon cord.
The multimeter and spare fuses came in handy on Wednesday last (public holiday here) when on the run at about 50-mph, the bike completely shut down in the middle of nowhere, in pouring rain, about 60-miles from home ....no electrics just dead. Turns out the main fuse was defective. it did not blow, but although it looked perfectly fine, it just open-circuited somewhere inside one of the endcaps. My trusty DVM and my intimate knowledge of the biks's circuitry got me going pretty quick.

 

[jimcor]

I bought a really small one at a Family Dollar store and when I ride the Connie on trips it goes in a saddlebag, case and all. Like it because it has an accurate dial gauge on it too.

 

[Schweisshund]

Sounds good, as soon as I get my new 1600 Vulcan (next week)

DANG! I am Jealous now - be sure to post pics. :-D

 

[scotto58]

I bought this kit for $12.00 and it works great. Did not try it on my Mootorcycle, but when I collected it in NJ a few months ago, I had to use it on my buddy's car when we picked up a nail in a front tire and his jack was kaput .....it works great. http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...e/s-10101/Ntk-AllTextSearchGroup?Ntt=air+pump

Those type of inflaters have been around for years. I have 1 which was my Dad's--has to be 50-60 years old and it has gauge attached to it. Never used it on the bike but I carry it just in case.

Scott

 

[Planecrazy]

I've got an older version of the Campbell Hausfeld pump, but mine has a built-in battery so I wouldn't strip it down. I've used it for years on a variety of vehicles and am amazed that the pump hasn't burnt out from all the use! I don't carry it on the bike (perhaps I should?), but I'd definitely consider doing the cheap mod on another CH pump since I've already got a 12V socket on the bike.

I like the spark plug adapter kit too ... I'm just not sure I'd want to futz around with a hot engine if I didn't have to...

Regards,

 

[Jethro]

Yes, "small and easy to pack", but the difference in size between a bicycle tire and a motorcycle tire is rather phenomenal. :shock: It might only take one cartridge to inflate a bike tire, but I have heard others mention that it might take 5 or 6 cartridges to inflate a rear tire on a motorcycle. For the space (and cost) that 5 or 6 cartridges take, you might as well get the small compressor and be done with it. \\/


.

These aren't bicycle cartridges, they are motorcycle specific. 4 of the 16gram cartiridges will get my 190/50/17 rear tire to 32 psi, which is low but will get me down the road. The 4 cartridges are way smaller than any compressor or hand pump I've seen. As far as cost, if I get a lot of flats it would not work, but I rarely get flats.

 

[Greg O.]

I bought one of those spark plug pumps for my recent trip around Lake Superior. I tried it out on my lawnmower tire, and it worked great. I put it in the Number 1 cylinder, and gronded the spark plug wire for that cylinger, and ran the engine on 3 cylinders, and it inflated the tire in just a few seconds. However I would use this only when stranded on the road. Just think about it. It is pumping and explosive mixture into that tire, plus rubber and gas do not mix, so what does it do to inner tubes? If I had to use it, and thankfully I didn't on my 2200 mile trip, I would change the air in the tire as soon as i could. But the pump is great for a emergancy situation, and very compact.

Greg O.

 

[jimcor]

Greg, I think if you'll check the inflator does not use the combustible mix from the cyclinder, but intakes air from outside. The pumping action of the engine only drives the inflator. If it does not I would not use it in any situation. find one that uses outside air.

 

[Greg O.]

Jim, I will have to look at that again, but I was under the impression it uses the compressed air from the engine. I think it is just a check valve. I would be interested if there is one that compressed fresh air.

Greg O

 

[jimcor]

Check this one from JC Whitney:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...1+10211+600015598/c-10111/reviewflag-1#review

 

[txironhead]

Special intake ports draw cool outside air into pump during inflation

Looks like that answers that question.

 

[cberkeley]

Greg, I think if you'll check the inflator does not use the combustible mix from the cyclinder, but intakes air from outside. The pumping action of the engine only drives the inflator. If it does not I would not use it in any situation. find one that uses outside air.

Ok, I missed the thread. That's correct, there is a check valve on the unit that allows the intake of cool air it does not pump a combustible mix into the tire.