Inflating tyres at the garage

[sauluk]

Forgive me if this is a really crap question but why is it so hard to get the nozzle on the valve caps!? the discs get in the way or am I missing something/another way to do it!?

[Stig]

No your not missing anything. They quite simply are not designed with motorcycles in mind.

[Biker Biggles]

But the valves are usually on rubber mounts and can be bent a bit to make it easier.

[sauluk]

Bugger thought it might just be awkward. Paid 20p into one the other day and by the time I had the nozzle on the front valve the time had run out!!

[newts924]

I got myself something like these mate, they make it really easy :thumleft:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Chrome-90-degree-Tyre-Valve-Extender_W0QQitemZ350158490567QQcmdZViewItemQQptZU K_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item5187128bc7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1688%7C 240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

[Jamiebridges123]

The air things are garage forecourts are not accurate enough anyway. Do it at home. ;)

[thefallenangel]

The air things are garage forecourts are not accurate enough anyway. Do it at home. ;)

The digital ones are. IMO sainsburys is the best and easiest to use and i have 2 within 2 miles of my house.:cool:

[ranathari]

Also the only supermarket left that doesn't charge for air (or at least around me).

As for the inaccuracy, get a decent pressure gauge and use that, then use the forecourt one and calculate the difference before factoring it in when selecting the pressure.

[Swin]

I found one tesco's that has a digital air pump which also has bendy hose line, which makes life easier!

[Spanner Man]

Good evening all.

As Newt says, get yourself an angle valve, they make it so much easier. A word of warning though, do not leave it one the valve. The extra weight can cause the valve to split at speed, with dire consequences. Carry it in your pocket or under the seat.

As Jamiebridges says, forecourt machines are rarely accurate, so get yourself a decent footpump & pressure gauge, & do it at home.


Cheers.

[yorkie_chris]

I'm not a fan of bending the tyre valve over to get a forecourt tyre chuck on, they can become brittle with age. Leading to a really embarrasing recovery truck ride home.

You can get the 90 degree valves fitted to a tyre without using the extra weight of an adaptor.

[benp1]

I had this problem, was so irritating. Went to Halfords and bought a footpump, they were about half price for some reason, I wasn't going to complain, it was about two weeks ago

[Stig]

It doesn't matter how inaccurate the pumps are if you are using your own gauge. I always use the same one. But then I always check the pressures weekly and have a foot pump also. Makes far more sense and is much easier that way.

[TheNinj1]

The Sainsburys in Spalding is digital and free :D

It's a shame you can't play with them on hot days (like yesterday) to cool off. Good to feel the rain this morning though

[yorkie_chris]

The important thing is consistency. Even if your gauge is off by a few psi, you will know how it feels and how to get your preffered pressures.

[dizzyblonde]

I have a footpump and a tyre guage at home. Too many embarrassing moments taking more air out than putting air in at garages. This way I know my pressures are right, and I don't look a tit when my 20p has run out cause I get annoyed with the nozzley thingy.

[RichT]

I have a foot pump with a good gauge, but it only goes up in 2Psi steps - So I use a small digital gauge as well.

[Stig]

There is another issue with using forcourt pumps. Half the time they are broken so you end up actually loosing air pressure whilst trying to pump air in. Result being you are in a worse position than when you drove in.

[yorkie_chris]

And you've had to drive there, so you aren't checking cold pressures...

[Kuze]

Anyone recommend a foot pump i can buy then along with a pressure gauge?

I'm sick of the wresting match with the forecourt pumps costing me a mini fortune and black oily hands (well least on my kwak).

[jambo]

A little bit of a fiddle, yes, but not all that bad.
Make sure the valve on the front wheel is just forward of the botttom of the wheel, then come in from above it between the disc and wheel.

[GavinD]

Michelin do a pump and calibrated guage set in halfords I think - its really good.

[Kuze]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_16 9794_langId_-1_categoryId_165648 - that be ok for the job?