Valve Stem failed with TireGard TPM installed

[GitSum]

I recently purchased one of the TireGard tire pressure monitors for peace of mind - I have been chasing down a very slow leak on an "almost new" rear tire, and I hate having to replace it.

I even made an aluminum bracket to match the bracket for my AudioVox cruise control. The receiver is velcro'd on and the little key chain clips though a hole for safety:


Life was good - until I decided to hop on the freeway to run an errand. About 6-7 miles later, the front end just didn't feel right. I looked down at the TPM and the low pressure warning was being displayed for the front tire. That couldn't be right, it's the rear tire I am having problems with!

I pulled over and low and behold, the front tire is completely flat. Here are some pics after I got the bike back home:




In hindsight, I should have had the stems changed at the last tire change. This is an 05 that sat new in the box for two years until I bought it in Dec 07. Current mileage is around 19k

I still like the system, but I obviously need to change to a metal valve stem, preferably straight and not a 90.

Any recommendations?

Also I am going to go ahead and buy a new set of tires (front and rear). I am really sold on the BT020's primarily because even with a flat tire the bike is still manageable. I rode about a mile to get off the freeway. On my ST1100 I had both tires go completely flat on the freeways after I ran over an unseen object which actually bent the rims on both wheels! Do they BT021's still have a very stiff sidewall like the 020's?

[st1300r]

That's one of the reasons I'm not groovin on the external tpms. The extra mass of the sensor on the rubber stem not designed for it ,and you have defeated the valve stem seal. I'd consider and internal sensor type with right angle stems. You dodged a bullet. Glad it didn't cause an accident.

[forgitaboutut]

I put these on my Wing... much better than the OEM stems!
they are solid! I plan on geting tireguard next year!
http://patchboy.com/Merchant2/mercha...egory_Code=6-3
they gottem straight too...
http://patchboy.com/Merchant2/mercha...egory_Code=6-3

(I got xtras, in both if you wanna try em, I'll ship you a pair!)

[Mellow]

Tiny in Kansas has the same ones and they look the same too... You can get the angled stems they sell that will allow you to screw them on during a tire change so they are inside the tire... I would prefer this.

[Blue STreak]

Originally Posted by Mellow

Tiny in Kansas has the same ones and they look the same too... You can get the angled stems they sell that will allow you to screw them on during a tire change so they are inside the tire... I would prefer this.

You have a link? I'm not picturing this very well.

[Mellow]

Originally Posted by Blue STreak

You have a link? I'm not picturing this very well.

Ah.. you know what, I must be on crack or something... I think I'm thinking of the Doran that comes with straight or angled stems for attachment points.

http://www.wingstuff.com/pgroup_deta...el_Motorcycle/

[roginoz]

Here's the link for Doran's website; there's a little more information available:

http://www.doranmfg.com/motorcycle-t...ng-systems.htm

[hihosilver]

Cycle Gear has a tire sale on now.

They ordered BT020F's front and rear for me. Took two days. Local pick up.

Could be one near you too.

[TinyL]

Yikes,

I think I will install my metal valve stems pronto!! My rear stem is allready leaning over with the same system.

[Blrfl]

Here's an interesting proposition:

If the sensors in the caps don't use the outside atmosphere as a reference (which would be easy to test), why not mount it inside the tire like the SmarTire sensors? It would be easy to build a small metal adapter that would have a hollow, threaded post that simulates a valve stem and a couple of tabs that would allow it to be lashed down to the wheel hub using a large-diameter hose clamp.

I probably just gave away a patentable idea, but I've done that hundreds of times already...

--Mark