Missing my GZ250...

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Believe me, in the 30+ years of turning wrenches I have seen my share of "funny" things. O_o

Is that "seen" or "done" ??? :poke2: :biggrin:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by bonehead

Think someone was pranking you? Not a very safe prank if they were.

Maybe it's time for a new tire gauge......or a review of her "pressure check" proceedure......or both. :biggrin:

Tires should always be checked "cold", like in the morning before riding. Plus or minus 2 lbs probably really doesn't warrant adjustment; sometimes it's the adjustments that throw you off.

And, believe it or not, if the bike sits outside in the sun, the pressure can be several pounds different depending on whether or not the sun has been shining on it.

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Maybe it's time for a new tire gauge......or a review of her "pressure check" proceedure......or both. :biggrin:

Tires should always be checked "cold", like in the morning before riding. Plus or minus 2 lbs probably really doesn't warrant adjustment; sometimes it's the adjustments that throw you off.

And, believe it or not, if the bike sits outside in the sun, the pressure can be several pounds different depending on whether or not the sun has been shining on it.

That could be it in a nutshell. All or part of the above could very well be the problem. The sunshine thing is a real problem too. Just as an experiment I checked my truck tires when the sun had been shining on one side of the truck. The shaded tires were noticeably less in PSI. What I have found is the pressure can and will change a wee bit due to temp. If the pressure is a touch high today I will not adjust it because tomorrow it will be spot on. If the pressure stays a bit high I will not change it. A little higher PSI means less rolling resistance and better tire wear. 2 or 3 extra PSI doesn't make a big difference to the average rider for maximum traction and handling . How many of us actually make it to the track and need everything we can get from the tires.

[SuziQ07]

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I'm going to carefully monitor the tire pressure and check it at different times during the day. I'll also look into a digital pressure gauge instead of the pencil stick type one I've been using.

[diffluere]

Dang, I think you are my new gz clone! 5'3, having tire pressure issues! Maybe us short chicks just suck at reading pressure gauges! The $10 digital one made by Slime found at WalMart is awesome! I lost mine and haven't replaced it yet so it's back to the stupid pencil gauge. =P

Anyway, my bike stays on my driveway, so depending on what time I check the pressure, the results vary. It's on the east side of the house so early morning = sunshine, late afternoon = warm temperature and direct sun, evening = no sun. Florida has stupid temperature variation so I take that into account. For example, today it was 85 outside, but now it's only 65. That's at least 2 psi lost (probably around 4psi since the sun isn't shining either.)

Also, for some reason my front tire seems to change psi more rapidly than the back tire. I think this is because the back tire is under the saddlebags and the fender, whereas the front tire is sticking out, basking in the sun. The relative size might matter too.

[Water Warrior 2]

Good observations Diffluere.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by SuziQ07

I'll also look into a digital pressure gauge instead of the pencil stick type one I've been using.

Make sure that the digital gauge will fit between the spokes. The one I use for the car won't fit the GZ. So, I use the pencil gauge that I've had for 30 or 40 years. It's still accurate, & works fine, so I don't see a problem. :2tup:

[SuziQ07]

Originally Posted by diffluere

Dang, I think you are my new gz clone! 5'3, having tire pressure issues! Maybe us short chicks just suck at reading pressure gauges! The $10 digital one made by Slime found at WalMart is awesome! I lost mine and haven't replaced it yet so it's back to the stupid pencil gauge. =P

Anyway, my bike stays on my driveway, so depending on what time I check the pressure, the results vary. It's on the east side of the house so early morning = sunshine, late afternoon = warm temperature and direct sun, evening = no sun. Florida has stupid temperature variation so I take that into account. For example, today it was 85 outside, but now it's only 65. That's at least 2 psi lost (probably around 4psi since the sun isn't shining either.)

Also, for some reason my front tire seems to change psi more rapidly than the back tire. I think this is because the back tire is under the saddlebags and the fender, whereas the front tire is sticking out, basking in the sun. The relative size might matter too.

Hey, you do sound like my GZ clone!! I'm going to look for that gauge at Walmart that you mentioned. My front tire changes more often as well...very interesting. :roll:

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by SuziQ07

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I'm going to carefully monitor the tire pressure and check it at different times during the day.

Time out !!
I think that is just the opposite of what we tried to say.

You should check it at the SAME time of the day, under the same conditions, as much as possible, every day.

Now, you can check it at other times just for curiosity value but you should NOT make any change in the pressure except at your "chosen time" when you will check it with the tires COLD.

And......you should not adjust the pressure unless and until it is off by more than 2 PSI.

[SuziQ07]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Time out !!
I think that is just the opposite of what we tried to say.

You should check it at the SAME time of the day, under the same conditions, as much as possible, every day.

Now, you can check it at other times just for curiosity value but you should NOT make any change in the pressure except at your "chosen time" when you will check it with the tires COLD.

And......you should not adjust the pressure unless and until it is off by more than 2 PSI.

Yes, yes thank you...I get it...I simply misspoke. Ouch...I gotta get thicker skin to be on this forum. I am just a newbie after all! :roll: