inner tube valve stems

Rick · 10-19-2009, 04:57 PM

Does anyone know if this is a standard Schrader valve? My tube is leaking at the valve intermittently and I'm wondering if I can just slap a regular old valve from a bike tube in there, or if I have to go buy a tube and pay someone to mount it.

Thanks

mrlmd1 · 10-19-2009, 05:16 PM

Did you tighten up the valve in the stem (by screwing it in more)? Maybe it's a little loose and that can make it leak.
If that doesn't stop the leak, change the valve, they should be standard sizes but if one from your bike doesn't fit, buy one in a tire store.

Rick · 10-19-2009, 05:31 PM

Yeah I tried that first. It seems to stop leaking of it's just a bit less than fully tight, but I don't want to count on that holding. I'll try one from a bicycle tire and if that doesn't work I'll pull it and take it to a tire store.

Thanks

mrlmd1 · 10-19-2009, 06:59 PM

Are you sure it's leaking out of the end of the valve stem, and not from where the stem protrudes out from the rim? If that nut is tightened too much, the stem can tear at the attachment to the inner tube and that's a source of leak also. Use the old soap bubble trick and make sure it's the valve that's leaking.

Water Warrior 2 · 10-19-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

Are you sure it's leaking out of the end of the valve stem, and not from where the stem protrudes out from the rim? If that nut is tightened too much, the stem can tear at the attachment to the inner tube and that's a source of leak also. Use the old soap bubble trick and make sure it's the valve that's leaking.

I knew that. Been there done that. Was out with the guys on a beautiful day just riding the trails. We stopped for a break and 5 minutes later my front tire went flat in 30 seconds. Lesson learned...........do not tighten the stem nut like a wheel nut. Just slightly snug is good.
Had a leaky valve on the Vstrom once. The only thing retaining the air was the valve cap. Now I carry a new valve stem with a new valve and a tool to R+R the valve.

Rick · 10-19-2009, 08:51 PM

definitely the valve - I got it to stop by messing with the tightness of it

alantf · 10-20-2009, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Water Warrior

Now I carry a new valve stem with a new valve and a tool

When I needed a valve tightening tool - it was for my granddaughter's bicycle - I found that NOWHERE over here could I get one. Even the tyre stores didn't stock them, so God alone knows what the tyre fitters use, or what the Spanish use if they need to check their valves.(thought .......... being Spanish they probably don't EVER check their tyres! :whistle: ) I had to get the tool when I went to England. I also got a set of valve caps with tools on the outside, so I can keep one on the car, & one on the bike, ready to use.

mrlmd1 · 10-20-2009, 10:15 AM

That's the best idea to keep one of those valve tools - get the metal cap with the screwdriver tool on the end, then it's always available when you need it and you don't have to scrounge around looking for it.

Water Warrior 2 · 10-20-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

That's the best idea to keep one of those valve tools - get the metal cap with the screwdriver tool on the end, then it's always available when you need it and you don't have to scrounge around looking for it.

I can remember when almost all valve caps where of this design.

mrlmd1 · 10-20-2009, 03:55 PM

They're really hard to find now unless you come across an old one you've hid away somewhere. Now you get black plastic caps, not even the metal ones without the screw tops anymore.
You have to know someone in a tire store or garage and buy or swipe it from them.

10-19-2009, 04:57 PM	#1
Rick Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Driftwood, Tx Posts: 64	inner tube valve stems Does anyone know if this is a standard Schrader valve? My tube is leaking at the valve intermittently and I'm wondering if I can just slap a regular old valve from a bike tube in there, or if I have to go buy a tube and pay someone to mount it. Thanks __________________ If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much space! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-19-2009, 05:16 PM	#2
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: inner tube valve stems Did you tighten up the valve in the stem (by screwing it in more)? Maybe it's a little loose and that can make it leak. If that doesn't stop the leak, change the valve, they should be standard sizes but if one from your bike doesn't fit, buy one in a tire store.
	0

10-19-2009, 05:31 PM	#3
Rick Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Driftwood, Tx Posts: 64	Re: inner tube valve stems Yeah I tried that first. It seems to stop leaking of it's just a bit less than fully tight, but I don't want to count on that holding. I'll try one from a bicycle tire and if that doesn't work I'll pull it and take it to a tire store. Thanks __________________ If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much space! Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

10-19-2009, 06:59 PM	#4
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: inner tube valve stems Are you sure it's leaking out of the end of the valve stem, and not from where the stem protrudes out from the rim? If that nut is tightened too much, the stem can tear at the attachment to the inner tube and that's a source of leak also. Use the old soap bubble trick and make sure it's the valve that's leaking.
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10-19-2009, 08:51 PM	#6
Rick Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Driftwood, Tx Posts: 64	Re: inner tube valve stems definitely the valve - I got it to stop by messing with the tightness of it __________________ If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much space!
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10-20-2009, 10:15 AM	#8
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: inner tube valve stems That's the best idea to keep one of those valve tools - get the metal cap with the screwdriver tool on the end, then it's always available when you need it and you don't have to scrounge around looking for it.
	0

10-20-2009, 03:55 PM	#10
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: inner tube valve stems They're really hard to find now unless you come across an old one you've hid away somewhere. Now you get black plastic caps, not even the metal ones without the screw tops anymore. You have to know someone in a tire store or garage and buy or swipe it from them.
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