do I need an air compressor?

[greatmaul]

Hi, I really want to give my bike a tune up but so many of the things (minus the valve adjustment which I'm really just not ready for) seem to involve compressed air. I'm thinking mainly of cleaning the air filter, of course, and blowing out the area around the spark plug because with my luck a big lump of dirt or a dead dragonfly is sure to drop in that hole as soon as I get the plug out.

Does everyone just have an air compressor lying around? If so, is it a big one? because I've looked at them and they're a bit pricey but you can get the tiny ones that can't even run an air ratchet for about $99 on sale. I know the tiny ones would blow the air filter out and the spark plug area, but I'm just wondering how other people do it.

I don't think the ones at the gas station actually blow air out unless they're hooked to a tire.

[JWR]

Where do you get the air for your tires now??

An air compressor is usually a one time investment, figure how many years you will use it, and it comes out really cheap.

[alantf]

Originally Posted by JWR

Where do you get the air for your tires now??

My 50 year old footpump, that still works perfectly. :roll:

[jonathan180iq]

This price, even with shipping, is better than the one you can get from Wal-Mart for $75.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-3-hp-3-g ... 97080.html

Not EVERYONE has one in their garage. But if you plan on doing work on your bike on your own, or on any of your cars, or to help with lawnmower maintenance, then I highly recommend one.

There will be long periods where you probably don't use it at all. But when you need it, and you actually have it, they are priceless.

[JWR]

Originally Posted by alantf

My 50 year old footpump, that still works perfectly. :roll:

See, a good investment in being cheap.




:hide:

[jonathan180iq]

Originally Posted by alantf

My 50 year old footpump, that still works perfectly. :roll:

They certainly don't make things like they used to.

[Jvacustoms]

I BOUGHT THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY HOUSE BEST INVESTMENT EVER !

I am also a person that would rather fix his own stuff to see how it works or pay outrageous amounts of money for repair bills so, I am not the typical person.

also a piece of information from my experiences... I bought an air compressor at walmart and lost the receipt so i could only exchange it. I exchanged it 2 times before they gave me a full refund. The first one never even turned on there was a wiring issue, the second one had a big chunk of the cylinder head missing from the motor, and the third one had a split in half engine sitting on top of it. Not saying that is the normal condition of them just saying that it doesn't look good when you get three compressors from walmart and all three of the are inoperable from the get go!

[greatmaul]

Ok, I'm convinced. Now starting the search process. I like that little one at Harbor Freight but that really huge Craftsman would probably be able to run air wrenches and the like. That's always fun.

Also, point taken about cheap compressors at Walmart. I'll avoid those. Much better to invest a moderate amount of money once than throwing a smaller amount of money away repeatedly. :2tup:

[Jvacustoms]

just an fyi harbor freight sells goodyear rubber hoses for air compressors for the cheapest price i have seen anywhere as well as hangers and accessories. and air compressors dont always come with tools but most of them that i looked at come with some and the tools can help absorb some of the blow from the initial investment as well. Mine came with a air ratchet, impact, air hammer/chisel and 90 degree angle grinder. as well as a 25ft hose and couplings for everything and a air blowing nozzle for cleaning things up before exposing the insides of a combustion engine...

[Gz Rider]

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