Hey,
So I'm ordering new tires shortly, and I will be giving putting them on myself a shot.  Should I swap the valve stem at the same time?  Is that something you should do with every new set of tires or is it an only when they break kind of thing?  If so, is there a particular size valve stem that fits on the rim, or will anything I pick up at a car parts place work?

As an aside, am I correct in my understanding that Roadriders are are generally worth the $15 over BT-45s?

Thanks! 

I think I will replace valve stems every other tire change.  I'm not sure of the particular type, but I know that a special tool would make installation much easier.  You want something  that will screw onto the outside of the stem so you can pull straight through with quite a bit of force.

I wouldn't worry about it unless you have one that is leaking...

I've been through three sets and my current one is still fine, maybe at most replace the core if you regularly ran without a valve cap.

All I know is keep an eye on them.  I stopped a few weeks ago for air and my rear stem BLEW OUT.  I'm I'm not joking.  It actually blew out from the tire rim.  I had not thought about it because the guy I bought the bike from about a year ago said he put brand new tires.  So I figured, new tires = new valve stems.  My math was incorrect.  I agree with having them changed atleast every other, unless your a conservative rider and tires last you a long time, just change them out when ever you replace the tires.  They're very cheap and take it from me, losing one means you either walk it home or ride on a wing and a prayer.

When using the rubber stems with the typical rubber bottom bulb shaped retainer; it is best to replace them.  The rubber does eventually crack and it can split all the way through when you put pressure on it with air chuck.  Every other tire replacement should be OK -- its a very cheap part that comes in most tire repair kits.  The metal type that bolt into the wheel such as the ones for sale at  www.patchboy.com are pretty much permanent unless you crank the core in too tightly and sink the base too deep for air chuck to trigger it.  Most of the valve core tools have the threaded chuck and "T" handle on them for pulling the new stem through the hole, to remove, just use your knife to cut the base off flush with the wheel from nside.

prs

I think if they're in good shape you should be ok to leave them in (ie) no cracks in the rubber, no dry rot.  I had new tires put on at the local tire shop (original valve stems from 93' low mileage bike) and said they were fine and he was right.  On the other hand, they're so cheap to replace, if you have any doubt, swap em out.

At first I thought the tyre shop was just trying to screw me for a few more £££s and I used to say no thanks. Then I had one blow out and the inconvenience it caused me (and my shorts) was feckin unreal. I was touring in France at the time....... I always say yes now, they cost next to nothing and you get some piece of mind knowing its brand new and less likely to fail than one that could be years old.

Cool sounds like if I can pick some up, I'll replace them.  If not, it's not the end of the world.  Are they all just some standard size?  Can I walk into a car parts place and pick some up?

Thanks guys!

I just go into walmart and buy the shorter stems myself.   I wont chance having an old or dryrotted one break and leave me walking my 666 pound devil to the nearest tire shop. (yes my bike weighs 666 pounds.)

Just a recap... Picked up my GS from the stealership yesterday and had 2 valve stems replaced and an oil change.  Total cost...DRUM ROLL... $182   

Not the end of the world if you don't replace them but a piss off if it blows miles out from no where.

Change them every time.  For the extra few bucks saves the hassle if one does crack or blow off.

Quote from: 08GSSteve on April 15, 2009, 03:31:16 PM
Not the end of the world if you don't replace them but a piss off if it blows miles out from no where.

OOhhhhhh yes 

Hey did anyone know what size we need???

i know @PachmanP asked a few times, but not one mentioned the actual size of the replacement valves for the GS

would be much appreciated if anyone knew

All mainstream jap bikes us a 10mm valve........but how are you going to fit it?

The tyre has to come off the rim and the valve pulled through from the inside.

Use a TR413 valve stem.

This is the most popular stem and available everywhere, auto parts stores, online sellers, dept stores with an automotive section.

You can use a metal valve cap and locking pliers to pull it (snap) into place. Lube it up good with liquid soap.
You can also buy an inexpensive valve stem puller on eBay, etc...

$182 does not seem out of bounds if you rode the bike there and they did it all. They need to remove the wheels and deflate the tires and break the bead, then reverse. They charged you, I bet, $130 for labor, and the rest is the oil and filter and $5 or 10 for the stems.  Do it while tires are changed and it is only the 5-10 for the stem on top of the tires. 

Quote from: sledge on March 11, 2021, 02:00:57 PM
All mainstream jap bikes us a 10mm valve.

Not sure if this is correct.  My shop installs these on basically everything except some European bikes that use smaller ones, they're 11.3mm.

Quote from: Sporty on March 11, 2021, 04:22:20 PM
Use a TR413 valve stem.

This is the most popular stem and available everywhere, auto parts stores, online sellers, dept stores with an automotive section.

This is correct.  Your "standard" automotive valve stem will work perfectly.


And I know it's an old post, but to answer the original question; if the valve stem has a rubber base I would change it every time you change your tires, with few exceptions (got a puncture couple hundred miles in).
The +/- $5 it costs for a new valve stem is not worth the potential hassle of having it break half way through a set of tires and needing to change it.  "Preventative maintenance" I think works well in this case.
Metal valves stems are more or less permanent, just run them until you notice a problem.

The shop I work at has this in policy.  If we change your tires and your wheels have used rubber stems, we change the stems, no exceptions.  Customers will come in with tires from 2006 that are all dry rotted and hard and will bi-, I mean, 'complain' about having to spend $4 on a new stem.  We have a contingency that if someone really doesn't want to buy a new stem we will front the cost just to save the liability/hassle of them coming back in a week when their valve starts leaking and they want to blame me for it and don't want to pay additional labor for me to dismount and re-mount and re-balance their tire...
Usually I just cut the old stem off with a razor/box-cutter, sometimes I can just break them off by hand they're so dried out, and often those don't even look dried out.  Rubber almost turns to plastic when it's exposed to UV for too long...

thanks legends, for helping to follow up an old post

@Watcher yep! 11.3 seems to be the ticket.  thanks for confirming for me now. so i can definitely order right away .

TR161 valves would be too small??