Air Valve Stem Rotten

[podsobinski]

15 miles from home and a front flat tire. Lucky for me I have a can of flat fix.
Taking off the valve cap the 1/2 the stem tears off. Great! The 1/2 that came off was screwed onto the flat fix and pushed up against the remainder of the valve stem still on the bike and filled the front tire. Then carefully unscrewing the flat fix and pushing the stem on the bike rim. It held! Limped home at 30 mph. Lucky. But upon reflection, I never requested a valve stem replacement, 7 front tires, 6 years old and 70,000 miles. Two lessons learned. Carry flat fix and every new tire get the valve stem replaced.:blah

podzo
R1150GS
R1200RT

[jdiaz]

Its amazing that a dealer would not suggest installing a $3 replacement valve stem each time you got a new set of tires.

[podsobinski]

My thoughts exactly. . .all mounting done by the BMW shop or local franchise yam and kawa dealer. . .car tire dealers always ask you that and I will never turn them down now.:dunno

[bubbagazoo]

My dealer replaces the valve stem with every tire change. It is a non-negotiable thing.

[Stuff2C]

try this
http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?form_prod_id=123,57,363_75&action=product

I use a similar one and have never replaced one. I could be on borrowed time.

[podsobinski]

That steel Valve Stem looks like the ticket
Checked my '06 RT and it has some sort of metal valve stem on the cast spoke so no worry about that one going bad.:D

gpodzo
R1150GS
R1200RT
XR650L

[blackNwhite]

Two sizes are listed for the valve stems. Which size would fit an 1150rt?
Thanks

[breyfogle]

Looks heavy, how does this effect the amount of rim weight needed to balance a tire ?

The web link indicates 0.062 pounds each which (if my math is correct, and it may not be) would equal 136 grams !

[podsobinski]

breyfogle, check out this conversion
1 pound equals 454 grams
therefore 0.062 X 454 = 28 grams for that steel valve stem
seems reasonable but would require rebalancing:clap

podzo
Geology Rocks!

[breyfogle]

.... 28 grams for that steel valve stem....

28 sure sounds more reasonable , about 1 ounce in English units

[PETDOC]

I replaced my rubber valve stems on my GS (has wire wheels) with right angle metal stems from Wunderlick. They're great. I no longer have to remove the rear system case to get air pressure gage or air hose on valve stem, and I don't have to use unnatural body positions to get the air hose nozzle to fit between the spokes just right so I can inflate tire.

[podsobinski]

How about a web site for that 90 degree web site.
Looks like just the ticket

gpodzo

"If you wait, all that happens is that you get older."

[PETDOC]

BMW Santa Cruz is sole importer of Wunderlich parts. You can have them ship you a free catalogue. When I ordered my valve stems I got 3 and carry a spare in my tool kit just in case worst case scenerio should develop.
link to Santa Cruz http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/

[PETDOC]

I went to SC BMW web site and found 90 degree valve stem for 1150 GS wire wheel. Here is link http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/Merchant2/index.html

[podsobinski]

PETDOC has a winner, looks like a great product.
Try this web site for anyone who has a spoked wheel GS
http://www.bmwsantacruz.com/Merchant2/index.html:wave


gpodzo
The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rearview mirror.

[mtnbmw]

If you make the switch to metal stems, don't forget that the seals are rubber and should be inspected/replaced regularly. Depending upon the design, also check to insure that they are still tight. If you find that you have to tighten them often, you should inspect the seals. A seal that is cracking or getting hard won't have the required tension to hold pressure on the stem to prevent the nut from backing off.