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An Easy Way to Add Air to Tires

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  #1  
Old 08-17-2009, 11:14 PM
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I used to think that people who asked if there was an easy way to add air to the touring bikes were nuts until I got my Street Glide. The last time I added air I had to lie on my side and try to get the straight air hose onto the shrader valve. I used up 75 cents worth of air and barely got any air into the tires.

Well here is what I came up with. It works like a CHARM!!!!!

I went to WalMart and bought a MaxAir hand pump for $8.00. It was in the Auto Section not the bicycle section and it is made in the USA. I then went to the Tire & Lube Dept. and bought a long rubber Shrader valve for two dollars. They had a long and short one and I purchased the long one. I also bought a set of small hose clamps for $3.00.

Cut the rubber hose off of the air pump. Cut most of the rubber off of the shrader valve exposing the brass (see picture). Insert the brass portion of the shrader valve into the hose from the hand pump and secure it with a hose clamp. The shrader valve I purchased fit really tightly into the rubber air hose but I used a hose clamp to make sure it would not leak air.

When you need to add air to your tires attach the air hose to the valve on your tire and lock it down. Now attach the air hose, at the gas station, to the hose you just made and add air to your tire. You can also check your air pressure too.

Hope this helps.
 
Attached Thumbnails An Easy Way to Add Air to Tires-airtool-parts.jpg   An Easy Way to Add Air to Tires-cut-shradervalve.jpg   An Easy Way to Add Air to Tires-finishedproduct.jpg  
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  #2  
Old 08-17-2009, 11:20 PM
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Now that's slick! The new 09 rims are a PIA to get to the valve stems for sure.
 
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Old 08-17-2009, 11:22 PM
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I just push the valve stem over a little bit and the air chuck fits just fine.
 
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Old 08-17-2009, 11:27 PM
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nice job--make a not so hard job to a much easier job
 
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Old 08-17-2009, 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by sonar_chris
I just push the valve stem over a little bit and the air chuck fits just fine.
Not that easy when you have spoked tires, the valves are solid mounted and you are unable to push the valve stem over a little.
 
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Old 08-17-2009, 11:34 PM
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The air hose I used was a straight hose that was on a weighted reel. I had to lie on the hose so the retracter would not pull the slack from the hose and then try to get the hose up behind the brake disk and down onto the air valve.
 
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Old 08-17-2009, 11:40 PM
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They can rag on you all they want, but I know exactly what you are talking about. The valve stems are short and if the damn gas station air hoses had 90 degree fill fittings on them and weren't on the self retracting hose reels, it'd be easier to push the valve stem over to try to get the fitting on.
 
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Old 08-18-2009, 12:01 AM
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Thanks for the info, I just might go put one together for myself.
 
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Old 08-18-2009, 12:44 AM
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I had the same question two days ago. Someone recommended getagauge.com (the ezair gauge). Hopefully Ill get mine Wed.
 
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Old 08-18-2009, 03:28 AM
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Hey HogRider,
Would you let us know how the EZAir gauge works when you get it and try it out? I checked their website, and it looks like it might be a pretty handy item to have, but just wondering how easy/hard it will be to attach their straight clip-on to the valve on these '09 stock wheels. Would think the company would make a right-angle clip-on, but apparently they don't.
Thanks!
 


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