Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! - SV650.org

L3nny · 04-07-15, 06:02 PM

That's the 3rd bike I've had metal dust caps seize onto the valve with now.

If you have metal valve caps, take them off and bin them.

If you're thinking about getting some, don't.

That is all

DarrenSV650S · 04-07-15, 06:23 PM

Metal caps on normal valves?

I had metal caps but they came with the angled valves I got. Never had a problem with them

L3nny · 04-07-15, 06:24 PM

Yes, on normal valves.

Sid Squid · 04-07-15, 06:33 PM

When you say metal, do you mean proper brass ones, or stupid anodised aluminium rubbish? At work we cut the valve off so stuck anodised caps arent a problem, and tell the owner if they're really wanted to take them off themselves.
A properly fitted valve cap is an effective second seal, and keeps crap out of the valve's innards, use brass ones - one with a valve tool on the rear wheel.

L3nny · 04-07-15, 06:36 PM

I mean the stupid anodised aluminium rubbish you get off Ebay for a quid.

I am sure there are good ones, these ones weren't.

Sid Squid · 04-07-15, 06:40 PM

There are no good aluminium ones.

Heorot · 04-07-15, 08:14 PM

I fell foul of this. Different metals (aluminium/brass) will cause them to weld together and after a few weeks/months, you will not get them unscrewed. It's called galvanic corrosion. Exposure to salty water (riding in the winter) just makes it worse.

rictus01 · 05-07-15, 12:26 AM

is it just me? I check my tyre pressure every couple of weeks normally as part of regular maintinance, so have never suffered this problem.

Bibio · 05-07-15, 12:32 AM

and this is one of the uses for copper grease or that new silver stuff.

btw as sid squid says the brass ones with the valve tool are a good idea. i have a few times had valves come loose on the bike.

Nutsinatin · 05-07-15, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rictus01

is it just me? I check my tyre pressure every couple of weeks normally as part of regular maintinance, so have never suffered this problem.

Nope I'm in the same boat as you, used ally caps for the last three years as I find them easier to get a grip on especially in the cold and/or wet. Check my tyre pressures once a week or so and they've never shown signs of corrosion. I do get at least two new sets of a valves a year though as they're free when I get my tyres changed.

04-07-15, 06:02 PM	#1
L3nny Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2008 Location: MK Posts: 2,109	Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! That's the 3rd bike I've had metal dust caps seize onto the valve with now. If you have metal valve caps, take them off and bin them. If you're thinking about getting some, don't. That is all __________________ 2015 GS 1200 Adventure

04-07-15, 06:23 PM	#2
DarrenSV650S Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Dundee Posts: 4,405	Re: Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! Metal caps on normal valves? I had metal caps but they came with the angled valves I got. Never had a problem with them

04-07-15, 06:24 PM	#3
L3nny Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2008 Location: MK Posts: 2,109	Re: Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! Yes, on normal valves. __________________ 2015 GS 1200 Adventure

04-07-15, 06:33 PM	#4
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Re: Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! When you say metal, do you mean proper brass ones, or stupid anodised aluminium rubbish? At work we cut the valve off so stuck anodised caps arent a problem, and tell the owner if they're really wanted to take them off themselves. A properly fitted valve cap is an effective second seal, and keeps crap out of the valve's innards, use brass ones - one with a valve tool on the rear wheel. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

04-07-15, 06:36 PM	#5
L3nny Member Mega Poster Join Date: May 2008 Location: MK Posts: 2,109	Re: Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! I mean the stupid anodised aluminium rubbish you get off Ebay for a quid. I am sure there are good ones, these ones weren't. __________________ 2015 GS 1200 Adventure

04-07-15, 06:40 PM	#6
Sid Squid No, I don't lend tools. Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Skunk Works, Nth London Posts: 8,680	Re: Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! There are no good aluminium ones. __________________ If an SV650 has a flat tyre in the forest and no-one is there to blow it up, how long will it be 'til someone posts that the reg/rec is duff and the world will end unless a CBR unit is fitted? A little bit of knowledge = a dangerous thing. "a deathless anthem of nuclear-strength romantic angst"

04-07-15, 08:14 PM	#7
Heorot Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: South Norfolk Posts: 341	Re: Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! I fell foul of this. Different metals (aluminium/brass) will cause them to weld together and after a few weeks/months, you will not get them unscrewed. It's called galvanic corrosion. Exposure to salty water (riding in the winter) just makes it worse. __________________ Some say the cup is half empty, while others say it is half full. However, both are wrong; the real problem is the cup is too big. Honda 125 CG blown engine Gone to the great mechanic in the sky Naked SV650 K3 in Silver Last edited by Heorot; 04-07-15 at 08:18 PM.

05-07-15, 12:26 AM	#8
rictus01 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: South London Posts: 9,799	Re: Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! is it just me? I check my tyre pressure every couple of weeks normally as part of regular maintinance, so have never suffered this problem. __________________ Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a Ride!

05-07-15, 12:32 AM	#9
Bibio Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: here as devil's advocate Posts: 11,541	Re: Metal Valve Caps - Not even once! and this is one of the uses for copper grease or that new silver stuff. btw as sid squid says the brass ones with the valve tool are a good idea. i have a few times had valves come loose on the bike.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
best metal to metal glue	Wideboy	Idle Banter	41	21-02-13 07:41 AM
Fork Caps	guytimes	SV Talk, Tuning & Tweaking	12	05-07-07 03:59 PM
Preload Caps	Flamin_Squirrel	For Sale - SV's and SV related items	11	03-07-07 12:35 PM
why? is heavy metal called heavy metal	pegasus	The Essex Lounge	14	09-06-05 07:26 AM
flashy valve caps	SteveJJH	Bikes - Talk & Issues	21	27-08-04 11:57 AM