Which ( tubeless tire ) valve stems and where to buy them from?

[dorkburger]

The next phase of my winter work on the bike is tires / wheels. Im planning to remove the old tires inspect and paint the rims, and possibly install my new tires at home to save a few bucks, and because I've never tried before.
I know its generally recommended to replace the valve stems at this time. Is there a preferred type?

Aslo im guessing that I should mask off the valve stem hole and keep it bare aluminum, yes?

Thanks.

[gsrick]

The next phase of my winter work on the bike is tires / wheels. Im planning to remove the old tires inspect and paint the rims, and possibly install my new tires at home to save a few bucks, and because I've never tried before.
I know its generally recommended to replace the valve stems at this time. Is there a preferred type?

Aslo im guessing that I should mask off the valve stem hole and kerp it bare aluminum, yes?

Thanks.

Any auto parts store should do. Just take the old one with you to make sure to get the right diameter as there are different sizes.

Oh yeah, make sure the thickness where the valve seats in the rim is the same. one for a steel rim and an aluminum rim will have a different thickness of material at the hole.

[mmattockx]

The next phase of my winter work on the bike is tires / wheels. Im planning to remove the old tires inspect and paint the rims, and possibly install my new tires at home to save a few bucks, and because I've never tried before.
I know its generally recommended to replace the valve stems at this time. Is there a preferred type?

Aslo im guessing that I should mask off the valve stem hole and kerp it bare aluminum, yes?

Thanks.

I used these on my 1100E: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...ess-valve-stem



I painted my wheels before installing and they worked fine for me.


Mark

[bwringer]

Most auto parts stores won't have them -- they'll have car valve stems which are a lot fatter where they go through the rim. (This is usually obscured under rubber washers in the photos.)

You need motorcycle valve stems, which are the same diameter all the way down.

The easiest place to get these is usually Napa. They're part # NTH 90426, usually $3.99 each

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NTH90426

Depending on your local store, you may need to get them to order the valve stems.

Most motorcycle shoppes will have them as well, but they usually want $8 each or so for them. Look for a black "BikeMaster" display.

As far as the rim paint, it won't make much difference to the sealing whether it's bare or painted, but the paint might peel if you replace the valve stem a few years later.

The metal valve stems can last for years as long as the rubber stays in good shape. I generally replace them every second or third set of tires, or at the most after five years or so, or if the age of the valve stems is unknown.

[dorkburger]

Thanks gents. Stems are likely about 5 years old, or whenever the tires were last changed. I dont get to pile on a lot of miles per year these days. I was hoping to start this over the weekend, but now im working tomorrow...... The double edged sword of overtime.

[dorkburger]

Apparently I'm dumb. The nth 90 426 was way too small, and if it were to somehow move could leak and the washer seems too thin. I checked a spare rim, which I should have done first, and it had a thicker stem, which I ended getting (nth 90 432). Question, which sounds really dumb, is where does the rubber washer go? On the inside or outside with the flange inside touching the rim? The spare wheel had it on the outside, but has a tire on so I can't see the inside. Also, the 432 flange does not fit in the recess in there rim.
This all sounds simplistic, but the consequences of an incorrect install are.... bad.

The 426.20170304_123130.jpg

[dorkburger]

The 432.20170304_132359.jpg

[dorkburger]

432 inside.

[dorkburger]

I think this is my answer. I cut down the 432 so it fits in the rim recess. The rubber washer fits properly in the recess, with the narrow portion fitting into the opening with the stem nicely.
20170304_162625.jpg

Oh, and chalk another one up to the oddballness of the 1150. Maybe I should have gotten rubber ones.