Triumphrat

WS · 01-21-2006, 02:46 PM

May I suggest to all to please check your tire pressure on these cold winter days. Under inflated tires can be very unstable. For the stock Bonnie with Bridgestone Battlax tires it is 33 p.s.i. front and 38 p.s.i. rear. Have a nice day.

WS

ssjones · 01-21-2006, 02:50 PM

Great advice, we've got temps here in the high 50's today. My bike is still up on the lift waiting for my new fork springs. I fired up the '96 Impala SS and found all four tires 15 lbs low.

Ridge · 01-21-2006, 03:01 PM

That is great advice. I found I was getting dangerously low just within a week of checking thanks to temperature changes.

Anybody else have a tough time fitting those pencil-type pressure gauges in between the spokes/chain and disk of the rear wheel? I gotta find something better.

Diego · 01-21-2006, 10:56 PM

Good, timely advice, WS. Not only can underinflated tires be unstable, but you may not even notice it at first on nice smooth streets...only later, when you encounter rough surfaces and experience control issues at the very moment when you need predictable handling. The only way to be sure the pressure is right is to check it.

Ridge asks: "Anybody else have a tough time fitting those pencil-type pressure gauges in between the spokes/chain and disk of the rear wheel?"

Sure do. Plus, it's hard to be certain of the accuracy of pencil gauges.

My solution was to buy an AccuCheck dial gauge that has a short hose and a right-angle fitting (actually, from a Harley dealer with the HD name on it). Costs more, and you can't just stick in a shirt pocket like a pencil type, but I always keep it in the garage to use before daily rides, and generally find a way to pack it with me if I'm going on a longer trip. Its readings track very closely with my precision electronic gauge, but is much easier to reach valve stems in awkward locations.

RedBird · 01-21-2006, 11:00 PM

ACCU-GAGE! :-D The one with the short hose makes checking easy, and it's good to have an accurate tire gauge.

Larry

fuzzdevil · 01-22-2006, 06:47 PM

tube tires tend to loose about a pound a week.

Check your tires weekly

Happy rubber = happy rider

ssjones · 01-22-2006, 07:07 PM

Quote:

On 2006-01-21 20:56, Diego wrote:
My solution was to buy an AccuCheck dial gauge that has a short hose and a right-angle fitting (actually, from a Harley dealer with the HD name on it). Costs more, and you can't just stick in a shirt pocket like a pencil type, but I always keep it in the garage to use before daily rides, and generally find a way to pack it with me if I'm going on a longer trip. Its readings track very closely with my precision electronic gauge, but is much easier to reach valve stems in awkward locations.

Exactly what I use. Advance Auto had them in my area for less than $10, that's typically about 1/2 price. I keep a version without the hose in my car. Good tools.

dazco · 01-22-2006, 07:42 PM

Speaking of accuracy, i bought one of the gauges recommended as very accurate here. Cant recall if it was accu gauge but i think it was. anyway, i already had a cheap $2 round gauge and the cheapest all plasic pen type you can imagine with the flat tounge depressor type gauge that pops up. I tested them and all 3 read exactly the same ! Still glad i got the accu gauge because it's solid and has the feature that allows the needle to stay at the pressure reading till you press a button. But i'm not so sure about the inconsistancy in accuracy everyone talks about with cheap gauges.

LT · 01-22-2006, 08:45 PM

Couldn't find my guage today. Had to use hi-pressure 150 psi guage for 10-speed bike tires. Useless. going to Advance Auto right now before they close.

neale · 01-23-2006, 02:30 AM

Can't beat a good tyre gauge, it will extend your tyre life ie money and possibly YOUR life.