Tire "Health" / Pressure Questions.... By straightbangin (Read 2,626 times)

[straightbangin]

Thanks Alley. Check my previous post I posted it as you were posting yours . I just did the math and I have replaced 17 things on this scooter already. Sigh.

[Guitarman]

[straightbangin]

Lol I think I posted that video almost at the same time you did! I'm glad I own C clamps

[Guitarman]

HA! Popular vid. LOL

[drahken]

18psi in hte front and 32psi or something, in the back. the front doesnt have no weight on it, and you need it for the tread. your riding on with a balloon in the front if you pump it up that much.

and my service manual on my 50 cc honda says that for my 10 inch rims and ive seen it labelled for others.

and, if you replace the valve stems, get some 45 degree angle ones, but you dont have to if yours looks good, ehm so that you can get gas station air pump nozzle things on your tires.

[straightbangin]

drahken, it must be nice to have service manual in English LOL. Good info. My mechanic said something like 30 in front and 35 in back. I was going by what the tires said but it makes sense what you're saying.

im just thrilled this can be done without taking a tire off it needed. i will be dreading that like crazy.

im surprised i could ride it the couple times i did without issues. it felt a tiny bit wobbly taking off and turning but not bad. Only noticeable since ive been paying close attention to it now that i Know there is a possible air issue.

ill get to the gas station today and check it out in day light and do a tire check with the water as Alley suggested. i was googling this around last night and it seems like bad stems are common on cheap scoots and pretty early in their life and it wouldnt surprise me if its even worst on mine from sitting.

I have angled stems now but I'm wondering if straight up and down like my bicycle stems would be better. pressing against a stem at an angle makes me feel like its more likely to rip when adding air. Ive changed many bicycle tires and have killed a few tubes by the stem area ripping when I put air in so Im careful. This tubless tire is a new animal for me since ive only dealt with bike tires. I don't even think I've had a flat tire on a car but I guess I thought if there was a leak it would look like those poor souls driving down the road with their tire going falub falub falub and looking awful.

Will report back later.

[straightbangin]

As pictured, tires treads are good. Both valve stems are a mess. I never knew they could crack like that so I never inspected them. Now I know






I'm going to a scooter shop today to grab a couple for about what I'd pay online.

I think I definitely need the angled ones since the holes in my rims are so tiny I probably won't be able to get an air pump in there to add air ( the spaces are so tiny I can't even get a chain though it more than just one link to lock it up. )

In the video I can't tell how he let the air out to start with. It looks like he twisted something on it to remove the schrader core? Can I just press on the little sticky uppy thingee in the valve to let the air out like I do for my bike tires?

Also is this such an easy job that you guys think it would be fine to do right at the gas station so I don't have to walk the scooter up the street 4 blocks to put air in after there? And... do you think I can rip the old valve out with good plyers instead of vice grips? The guy in the video looked like a dentist on meth ripping that thing out of there lol

Even if I'm going to do work myself I like to call a local mechanic or two to see what the going rates is. It makes me chuckle about how much I'll be saving. The closest scooter mechanic wanted $125 per tire to replace the valve stems! My mechanic charges $100 a tire for a whole new tire installed, new valve stems and fills it with air! I can see why he decided to go off on his own away from the repair shops.

[Guitarman]

Unless you have a real strong grip, use vice grips or some kind of locking pliers.

While you are buying the new stems, ask for a core remover tool. It's a small little thing that you stick in and unscrew the core. Be sure and keep your hand over it as you unscrew it so it doesn't fly off into your face.

[straightbangin]

I have a pretty strong grip. I used to be a cake decorator. Hours of icing bag squeezing. Even more work when its a thick fudge icing. Good tip on keeping my hand over it as I unscrew. So the core removal tool is essential too huh? I can't just yank the whole thing out? LOL. Heh I'm just sick of buying parts and tools but I will if I HAVE too LOL. I'm going to just order the tool and valve stems online. I called all the local scooter shops and same story with them all (we don't sell tools) I guess they only want to sell parts, selling tools would increase more DIY meaning less business for them. Are all core removal tools the same?

Right now this is what I'm looking at buying and hoping they both fit. I have no idea if this is a universal type tool and valve or what. Also not sure if the tool works on my right angle looking stems?

Replacement Valve Stems


Removal Tool

[Guitarman]

Both of those should work no problem.

[straightbangin]

Thanks!

[Alleyoop]

Much cheaper actually you can get valve caps with the slot built in to get at the core which is what I have, DON'T NEED NO STINKING SPECIAL TOOL .

www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Slime-4-way-tire-valve-tool/_/N-256m?itemIdentifier=487510_0_0_

[straightbangin]

lol. oh well I already ordered. I saw that one on amazon too but it cost about 4x as much.

Fed ex, USPS and UPS is going to loveeee me. I have far too many things on order

[Alleyoop]

Bummer, you can get these at the auto parts store is what I have its a cap and core remover.
www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222340018/285/Rema-37-Metal-Valve-Cap.html?gclid=CjwKEAjw5ZKiBRDhqa-Yjcml9kYSJABia-RnnrRyShULpoqb-vHwhuLO6AJXWjWZZwsKxkuWfRllyhoCFl7w_wcB

[straightbangin]

good to know but keep in mind finding someone who speaks english at the local auto parts stores is almost impossible. I can ask something like " do you sell oil ? " and they will say " no " . It seems anytime you ask a person a question who works at a store here , and they dont understand english they just say " no " LOL