Let's see those bikes

I never get tired of looking at these old bikes.

Curvy's Antique Motorcycle Thread | Adventure Rider

 

Did some adjusting to the rear shock, stiffened up the spring after some reading and noticed improvement on the backroads, will see how it feels at speed later.

 

Rear tire flat, no riding for me yesterday,,it appears the valve stem was compromised.
I've got it lifted and secured, looks like Monday or Tuesday I'll get some experience in rear tire removal. Hope I can find a metal valve stem locally.

 

Have you ever heard of the zip tie method? If you're doing it yourself @ home, watch this:

Just food for thought. And another tip is to leave it sit in the hot sun and get warm.


I changed 10 tires @ work yesterday! I will say, it was the first goldwing I've ever done and their tires were sooooo stiff! Sidewalls are 6 ply and even on the machine it was a pita.

 

Thanks for the video, if I can find the valve stem I'm looking for, the bike should be in the road in short order

 

You'll get used to them if you do a few...there are stiff, no doubt. But after you get the hang of it you'll have 'em broke down, peeled off, and the new one mounted all in a few minutes...lube is your friend for sure!

 

Depending on the tire, many valve stems can be changed without removing the tire. You can just break down the bead on one side, pull the old stem out, install the new one. Probably a lil easier with a metal stem, but can often be accomplished with the rubber ones too.
Just out of curiosity, did you make sure the stem nut was still tight? If it comes loose it will allow the seal to leak

 

I'd stick with the rubber ones.

The stems just need to be changed every so often anyway. I used to have them changed every other new tire for the back, and every new front. That was when a rear would only last half a summer. Now the newer tech tires allow the rear to last a full summer.

Speaking of which, I still love my metzeler M7RR tires. I've probably got around 1000 miles on them and they just plain rock.. They also wear extremely well, there's not even a flat-ish spot in the center of the rear tire. Granted, I'm not super slabbing it at all.

 

That's what I prefer Bert
Just put one on the rear of the Duc. Good stuffs

 

I've had them on my FJR1300 for 8 years, makes airing up and gauging easy.

 

It's a rubber valve stem that has failed, it has blistered where it meets the rim.
I was a wrench in my youth,,,being vocationally trained in diesel and auto repair in my youth, was even a Goodyear Tech,,,I've busted a bunch of tires in years past.
Breaking one bead and installing a new stem is my plan, metal is my preference,,rubber will work.
Working today thru Tuesday,,Probably tackle things Tuesday nite. I don't like to open up a project and walk away from it,,,

 

these seem to be "the goods", having a set of these on hand for the next install couldn't be a bad idea.

 

My only issue with metal stems is the weight.

 

I don't think my 900# bike would notice that issue

 

They claim less than an ounce, not any heavier than most rubber stems...I dunno, gonna' order a set to have on hand for my next tire swap.
In the meantime I found some some rubber/metal stems at Auto Joke last nite after work and pulled the rear tire off when I got home...it was as easy as my ex-wife pulling that rear tire off.
Hoping the local shop can get me squared away before work this afternoon, I aint even gonna fool with trying to break that bead with any of my hillbilly techniques.

 

Tire is repaired and on the bike, was afraid to take it off the "center lift" ,,poor me, had to drive the Cherokee to work,,dang it all

 

Yeah, you wouldn't on that. Guys pay hundreds of dollars to lose a few ounces on bikes like mine, that are 450-550 lbs stock. Bikes like yours, owners add all sorts of things that sometimes add pounds.

Whatever floats your boat, as long as it's on 2 wheels.

Heck I went from a 530 chain to a 520 chain/sprocket set to save weight. Yes, there's a slight decrease in durability buy a lot less weight. Rotating weight too. I won't run aluminum sprockets though anymore, not even if hardcoat anodized. They just don't last on the street.

 

Ok, ok, ok,,I figured out the center lift stand works very well and safely, requiring only one person (me). The handle is long enough and provides plenty of leverage raising and lowering the bike.
Met a buddy here last nite after work and after confirming the lift works, we took off for a 60 some mile ride of backroads an 2 lane flat tops,,U.S. 40 is 4 lanes but it's pretty rural where it runs thru here.
Man, I'm really liking this motorcycle.