When should tire Valve stems be replaced?

[flw]

When should a tire valve stem be replaced?

Not until it is a issue?

With every new tire?

Every other tire?

Other?

[gogs11uk]

being one who has suffered front tyre defaltion while riding at 80+ on reasonably new tyres i would recommend you get them replaced or at least checked at every tyre replacement. I must admit mine were not even checked when i got my new tyres fitted and foound the front valve stem was perished. thankfully i did not suffer a complete tyre deflationat that speed as if I did then i mgiht not be here typing this now. It was more a gradual deflation which was not apparent at high sppeed, but was noticable at low speed. I had just completed a 110mile journey when i noticed the handling was feeling really bad at low speed so i pulled into a garage to check the tyre pressures. (I had checked them before I left and they were ok) When I put the pressure guage onto the valve it barely read on the gauge. If I pushed a wee bit harder I could hear what little air was left in the tyre escaping throuh the perished stem. Eventually managed to get a garage late on a Friday afternoon to fit a new stem and all was rosy in the world again.

Check it and or change it m8. Best advice I can give.

[WingAdmin]

A failed tire valve stem at speed can be fatal. Tire valve stems can be had for a couple dollars apiece. What's your life worth? I replace them every time I replace a tire.

[RoadRogue]

Im of the opinion that valve stems are a consumable part of the bike just like brakes and oil filters,they are very inexpensive and a failure at any speed is something I dont want to experience. I change them both every Spring reguardless of condition.Healthy paranoia on my part.

[my06wing]

Hey. new guy here.
I just changed both of my valve stems. Went with the metal ones. I was checking my pressure on my front tire and found some major cracks in the rubber boot. I was able to replace that one on the bike by using a C-clamp and a piece of 1 x 4. Total time 10 minutes.
Already had the back wheel off for new tire and just changed that one while it already broken down.
If you're going to stay with the old style stems, you need to keep a good eye on them.


K.
06 GL 1800 Wing Dark Side
02 VTX 1800 RS

[WingAdmin]

You can buy a tire valve tool at most auto shops for under $10:



It screws onto the valve top, and levers it out of the rim, as shown. When the new valve is installed, it is pushed through from inside the wheel, the tool is screwed onto the valve, and it is then used to gently pull the new valve into place. Makes the job very quick and easy.

You can see the whole process in the How to remove and remount your tires article.