Tire valve stem sizes

[Ride2wheels]

I changed many a tire back in the day when my bikes had tubed tires (and kick-starters, for that matter). Now I'm about to delve into the mysteries of changing tubeless tires. There seems to be general agreement on this forum and elsewhere that it's prudent to install new valves along with the new tires. There also seems to be agreement that metal stems are a good idea. My question: do BMW wheels (more specifically, my R1150RT) take tire stems the same size as those on other makes (or even cars)? The closest BMW dealer is too far to go for just stems (unless it's a nice day and I have a few free hours), and I'd hate to pull my tires off only to find that the stems I got at the local Yamaha (or NAPA) shop were the wrong size. Websites for car or cycle parts don't seem to list stem diameter, which suggests they may all be the same size. My shop manual (Clymer) doesn't give a clue.

[PGlaves]

Stems at your friendly auto parts store come (generally) in two sizes. The smaller size is a perfect fit. BMW specs by the stem size - 15mm. Stem makers spec by the actual size of the hole in the metal. I don't remember the numbers exactly the small fits and large won't.

[Ride2wheels]

Thanks -- that helps and I appreciate it!

[bmwmick]

Thanks -- that helps and I appreciate it!

I use metal stems on all my wheels. 0.453" is the standard size that fits. I get mine from www.patchboy.com but most auto parts stores carry them. The 3/4" stems work great for the rear wheels. R1100, R11050, K1100
http://patchboy.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=17-560&Category_Code=6-3

For the front wheel, where rotors or spokes are in the way, these work well.http://patchboy.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=17-561&Category_Code=6-3


TR#412 is the stock rubber stem and they should be replaced with every tire change.
http://patchboy.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=17-412&Category_Code=6-3

[flars]

Okay - if they should be changed with every tire change, why do I still have the originals in my '98 with 130,000 miles?
No - I don't have a death wish, nor do I think I am tempting fate. I examine the stems every time I change tires. If I ever see any checking or any other sign of wear I will replace them, and I just might do it this week when I change the tires. Maybe. Maybe not.
And yes, I have heard the story about the guy who had a catastrophic valve stem failure at high-speed/low-speed who was killed/almost killed/lucky to have survived.
I think it comes down to the 'if you feel that it is necessary to change them, go ahead' argument.

[bmwmick]

Okay - if they should be changed with every tire change, why do I still have the originals in my '98 with 130,000 miles?
No - I don't have a death wish, nor do I think I am tempting fate. I examine the stems every time I change tires. If I ever see any checking or any other sign of wear I will replace them, and I just might do it this week when I change the tires. Maybe. Maybe not.
And yes, I have heard the story about the guy who had a catastrophic valve stem failure at high-speed/low-speed who was killed/almost killed/lucky to have survived.
I think it comes down to the 'if you feel that it is necessary to change them, go ahead' argument.

WOW, you ARE tempting fate. When you are ready to do it, pull it sideways and see if it just breaks off. For $2.00 I used to always change mine. Now that I have the metal Enkei's I don't have that problem.:drink

[saab93driver]

There have been several instances of the rubber valve stem having a vulcanization failure to the inner metal stem.

I had the original rear one on my 2002 1150RS start to swell up like a balloon just south of Gainseville, FL last year. It was a major pucker factor all the way to the HD dealer who replaced it.

I now have them replaced every tire change, certainly you could get a bad new one, but I'd rather take that chance than chance it on 10 year old valve stems.

Metal ones would be the best, but dealer wouldn't install the ones I bought at Pep Boys, supposedly due to fact they wouldn't fit without a little trimming of the washer.

[Mr. Frank]

I checked out replacement stems at an auto parts store. The ones they had were 1.25" long, about twice the length of the BMW parts. Do some stores carry shorter stems?

[bmwmick]

I checked out replacement stems at an auto parts store. The ones they had were 1.25" long, about twice the length of the BMW parts. Do some stores carry shorter stems?

My local Checker does. :)

[james1300]

Okay - if they should be changed with every tire change, why do I still have the originals in my '98 with 130,000 miles?
No - I don't have a death wish, nor do I think I am tempting fate. I examine the stems every time I change tires. If I ever see any checking or any other sign of wear I will replace them, and I just might do it this week when I change the tires. Maybe. Maybe not.
And yes, I have heard the story about the guy who had a catastrophic valve stem failure at high-speed/low-speed who was killed/almost killed/lucky to have survived.
I think it comes down to the 'if you feel that it is necessary to change them, go ahead' argument.

Gee at 67K on my '95 R1100R, maybe I should change mine?
Naaa. Its just a ploy to get into your wallet. A little X-tra blue sky for the dealer.

[james1300]

I checked out replacement stems at an auto parts store. The ones they had were 1.25" long, about twice the length of the BMW parts. Do some stores carry shorter stems?

You can get anything you want at a Tire/wheel store.

[Cooperdh]

Does anyone know the tap size or the thread size for the air valve that goes on the 1200 GSA with TPM? The thread area broke off when using garage air pump. I need to retap so air valve sits further down in metal stem.

Thank you,

[lsouth3]

Some pretty good info in this thread too. A little off subject but very useful.
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=47701

[j-budimlya]

It's my un-informed opinion that since "we" started sourcing these little buggers from China....it has become way too frequent for them to fail. I have had 2 fail that were no more than 3 years old.
This is despite the fact that we all remember valve stems lasting for many years on all sorts of vehicles for almost all of our lives.
Having a bit of a rubber chemistry background, and having had expereince in the rubber to metal bonding world, I can say with complete confidence that the problem is simply poor quality work....both in the formulation of the rubber, the use of a suitable rubber to metal adhesive(or not) and likely poor quality curing of the rubber.
Basically, what you buy now is a crap shoot for how long it might last. I have had a new one fail....and I have had a re-used one fail. They were both poorly made.

I was kinda of hoping that by now; one of these failures would have resulted in a high profile death and large enough of a settlement that this crap would have been fixed. I am still holding my breath.
I suggest that you change them with new tires and also carry an extra with you. You can get one inserted if it failes while yoiu are on the road, but just try to find the correct size in a small shop at 8 PM some night.

Cheers,

[rmarkr]

I had a new set of tyres, and valve stems, fitted to my truck about a year ago. All the valve stems failed, one after the other - what a hassle!

[id09542]

Anyone use a right angle plug? Seems that would take a lot of hassle out of checking the air. The rotors are a PIA to work around.

[blakem]

I just replaced mine with metal units I picked up at AutoZone. My back rubber one failed on its own, front one was pretty "ballooned" and failed when I wiggled it back and forth a few times. The metal stems came with rubber inserts for both hole sizes, just use the correct one. Peace of mind for 30 minutes and $7.

Blake
Plant City FL

[MOTOPERRO]

For those of you who have switched to metal stems, do you have any concerns about the amount of extra weight required to balance the wheel/tire? I haven't weighed the two, but the metal felt at least twice as heavy as the rubber stem.

By the way, the rubber and metal stems I purchased at NAPA are both made by Schrader in the USA (according to the packaging).

[blakem]

I was concerned about the extra weight, but I skipped rebalancing and decided to experiment..... Vibration was pretty bad in the front and rear, rode it that way for a couple days. I then put 2oz of Dynabeads in each wheel.... Presto. smooth as glass. I realize the controversy around those things, but they did the trick for me. I'll never balance another motorcycle wheel myself.

Blake
Plant city, FL

[MOTOPERRO]

Exactly what I am planning to do! Glad to hear of a forum testimonial that Dynabeads actually work. Question: is 2 oz. the recommended amount? In other words, the amount designated by the black line on the Dynabeads tube?

Thanks for your response.

[blakem]

I have an 04 RT, the mfg website says 2oz in both since the front is paralever. They sent me two pre weighed baggies, just dumped them in...

Blake,
Plant City, FL