Valve stem repair

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jonnythan · #1 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:51 pm

So my back tire is leaking a bit around the valve stem.

It's a metal stem with a 90° bend in the middle if that matters..

Anyway, is this something that's easily repairable? It almost looks like the whole stem should unscrew right from the rim.

jonnythan · #2 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:51 pm

Actually looking at that, it looks like all that needs to be done is to have a new valve stem inserted from the inside... which will require taking the tire off.

Damnit. I guess I'll top off the tire and ride it straight to the local Yamaha dealer as soon as I get my license..

#3 Unread post by **9000white** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:53 pm

try tightening the nut.sometimes that is all that is needed.

jonnythan · #4 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 2:56 pm

9000white wrote:try tightening the nut.sometimes that is all that is needed.

Yeah I tried that... it appears to be partly stripped, because it slips up one thread when it gets a little tight.

BuzZz · #5 Unread post by **BuzZz** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:04 pm

All you(or the tire shop) really need to do is break one side bead into the rim. You should be able to push the bead out of the way enough to remove and replace the valve stem. Then re-seat the bead and you shouldn't have even messed with the balance very much.

jonnythan · #6 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 3:03 am

BuzZz wrote:All you(or the tire shop) really need to do is break one side bead into the rim. You should be able to push the bead out of the way enough to remove and replace the valve stem. Then re-seat the bead and you shouldn't have even messed with the balance very much.

That's a pretty decent idea.. Thanks.

jonnythan · #7 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 2:35 pm

Would you believe my local Yamaha dealer refused to "work on the bike" enough to fix the valve stem?

I had to spend about two hours figuring out:

1) How to jack up the damn thing without it tipping over (ended up leaning it against the side of the house with the front wheel chocked and using a 2 ton hydraulic jack underneath the engine)

2) How to get the extremely stuck rear axle bolt off (needed to buy a 22mm socket and use a 4' breaker bar on one tjhe bolt and a 2' breaker bar on a 17mm socket to hold the axle in place)

Bah. I managed to break off the axle pinch bolt in the process too. Sheared right off and had to drill out the remains.

Now I can bring the wheel in tomorrow, hopefully have them fix it while I wait, and possibly go for a ride tomorrow night.