tubes

[infamy]

I had a hell of a time finding a tube for this bike. I ended up drilling the rim out to fit a bigger valve. I have had no problems. Have any of you had to do this?

[blaine]

I have never had any trouble getting tubes.The dealer always had them in stock.

[patrick_777]

BikeBandit and others also have them...and cheap too.

[Water Warrior 2]

I would have thought there would be industry standards all manufacturers adhere to. Where is the tube from ??

[infamy]

My bikes original tube had a steel center valve on it. I couldn't find a tube with a center steel valve in a 15 anywhere. I found plenty of rubber valve tubes in a 15 size, so I drilled my rim out to fit a rubber valve that was a 16th bigger.

[Water Warrior 2]

Ah, now I understand.

[Easy Rider]

I found plenty of rubber valve tubes in a 15 size, so I drilled my rim out to fit a rubber valve that was a 16th bigger.

I hope that doesn't turn out to be a mistake in the long run.
The steel stem was held in with a threaded ring (nut), right ??
Not having that on the rubber one, it might be a tad bigger on purpose ......so that it fits REAL tight......without drilling. Maybe ???

[infamy]

Good point Easy Rider! I will let you guys know if it was a mistake.

[Sarris]

I'm afraid Easy is right. I'm fairly sure that similar to a tubeless tire valve, a rubber valve stem is supposed to pull through the hole "snapping" into place.

You'll find out soon enough if you screwed up when you have to pull your first panic stop and the tube shifts causing the rim to cut off the valve. I'm also assuming you didn't file off the sharp edges or remove the burrs from the newly re-drilled hole, which may exacerbate the issue.

Tubed tires don't seat on the rim with the same tenacity as a tubeless tire. So in a panic stop (particularly on small light bikes), the tire and tube could rotate independently from the rim. That's the reason that the valve is a steel and screwed into place.

I would suggest an immediate $10 (or less) replacement tube with a steel valve, but hey, it's your ass not mine.

:skull: :skull: :skull: :skull:

[Easy Rider]

I would suggest an immediate $10 (or less) replacement tube with a steel valve, but hey, it's your ass not mine.

Ahem.......
If he could have FOUND one, we wouldn't BE here in the first place. :roll:

I believe that little tid bit of information was in the first post he made. :cool:

AND which is more likely to cause an immediate problem......if the tube moves and the valve stem doesn't......or if the tube moves and the stem moves with it ???

I think that the steel tube with the "locking ring" was there in the first place because of the LONG nature of the 90 degree stem. I believe that a force MUCH greater than a tire skidding on the pavement is necessary to break the bead force of a tire and rim......if the tire is still inflated, that is.

[dannylightning]

i had a hard time finding the correct tubes, i could only fine one rear tube for my bike, no one had the front tube in stock or it could have been the other way around but but than i went to the dealer and they had both of them in stock.

[Sarris]

Easy, I've actually ridden with another biker who had exactly what I described happen. I also would suggest that his tire were perhaps a little under inflated. He locked up his rear wheel and the rubber valve stem sheared cleanly off.

With so many internet bike parts houses (as well as the dealer) I've never had a problem finding tubes.

Call Ron Ayers if all else fails. They have everything!

:roll:

[Easy Rider]

He locked up his rear wheel and the rubber valve stem sheared cleanly off.


Can't argue with that but......do you think the outcome would have been any different if the stem was a metal one ?? Probably nobody has a real good answer for that question.

[infamy]

Thanks for your concerns everyone! I think I will order the right tube for this bike. Anyone know where I can get one. Links..Etc..

I did bevel the hole after it was drilled and the rubber valve stem is a tight fit. I got the idea from a friend who did the same mod on a different bike. He never had a problem with it shearing. My conclusion is that its a quick fix to get you back on the road but the right tube should be installed shortly thereafter.

[Easy Rider]

the rubber valve stem is a tight fit.

So why bother......I mean REALLY ???
After your mod., the "right" one might not fit correctly.
**I** think you should not worry about it any more. :)