Replace valve stems with simple tools, possible?

Dave Pitman

Dave Pitman

Joined
Sep 4, 2021
Messages
109
Location
Oly Pen, WA. USA
Bike
2010 ST1300A
I've picked up some TPMS caps. I have rubber valve stems and the tires are fairly new so it will be awhile before the next set. Do you guys think it is plausible to use a bar clamp to compress the tire away from one side of the rim enough to replace the stem with aluminum copies and then re-seat the tire, with the help of a ratchet strap around the tire if necessary?

Thanks,
Dave
 
I think you can do it. I've seen it done on car tires. Not sure how much movement you will have with these stiff bike tires though, but give it a shot. Worst case, you have to reseat the bead and wait for a tire change.
Good luck.....
 
I added the T valves that way on my ST13. Just break the bead at the point nearest the valve stem, remove the old valve stem and clean the area around the old valve stem, then insert the new metal valve stem and secure it as necessary. If you are installing the type the requires the nuts on the inside, I add a bit of blue Loctite.
 
Whatever you do - beware the finger trap. You don't want there to be any risk at all of that tyre returning to its normal position when your fingers are in there.
 
Break the bead all way round on one side. Slip a piece of cutting board or wood between the bead and rim to hold the bead away.
 
First, I suggest you get the T valve stems so you can add air w/o removing the TPMS. And, yes, of course you can do this, tho the difficulty will depend on how stiff your tires are. Others have said everything that needs to be said about this, so I won't carry on any more. Except...

Regarding the title of your thread, tire irons, 2x4's, bead breakers, clamps of all sizes and shapes, even hammers and wrenches are all simple tools. And simple tools don't necessarily make a difficult task easier. Look at those guys who built the pyramids rolling those big blocks on logs. Was that easy? How about the Stonehenge builders? Think they had it easy? The Easter Island masons chiseling out those heads w/ simple tools?
 
It’s no problem adding air using 83 degree aluminum stems. It’s just like any tire. Unscrew the cap and add air then replace the cap, in this case the cap is the TPMS sensor. Be quick about it and you lose virtually no pressure. If you like 42 then measure with gauge to 42.25 or 42.5 and you get 42. Then ride. You guys worry over .25 psi?
 
dduelin said:
It’s no problem adding air using 83 degree aluminum stems. It’s just like any tire. Unscrew the cap and add air then replace the cap, in this case the cap is the TPMS sensor. Be quick about it and you lose virtually no pressure. If you like 42 then measure with gauge to 42.25 or 42.5 and you get 42. Then ride. You guys worry over .25 psi?
Click to expand...
No, I don't, but with the Fobo TPMS I had to re sync the cap (sensor) with my iPhone if I took the sensor off the valve stem. No big deal, but a pita if I was just adding a little air with my bicycle pump. This did not happen every time, but often enough that I changed to the T stem asap.
 
Thanks for all the comments, guys. I gave the rear a try and decided to wait and do it properly. Using clamps and blocks to protect the sidewall would probably eventually have worked but I didn't want to risk the tire (or rim if something slipped) for this non-emergency procedure. The tires are Angel GTs and they are pretty darn stiff. No riding here right now anyway. It's just a little bit of an anoyance that the nearest bike shop is an hour away.
 
Dave Pitman said:
I've picked up some TPMS caps. I have rubber valve stems and the tires are fairly new so it will be awhile before the next set. Do you guys think it is plausible to use a bar clamp to compress the tire away from one side of the rim enough to replace the stem with aluminum copies and then re-seat the tire, with the help of a ratchet strap around the tire if necessary?

Thanks,
Dave
Click to expand...
Yes it is possible, I've done it with the wheel still in the bike. I think your biggest problem will be breaking the bead, it depends how long the tyres have been on and how set they are. You will probably have to take them out just to do that. Break the bead on one side only, hold the tyre across against the other side wall with a G clamp or two and you will find the valve is quite accessible. One tip here is to thread a piece of wire through the valve before you cut the valve so the domed inner bit of rubber doesn't fall into the tyre. Re inflation should be no problem, the bead will want to go back to the rim. New tyres are more likely to give problems here. The pair of biggish G clamps would probably be the best chance on the bead breaking, I used a hand held bead breaker that I made in my racing days and, the tyres had only been on a few days! I do think you'll finish up taking the wheels out, you can squeeze the bead off, relatively easy in a big vise. Good luck! Swede.
 
Cablain said:
What size is the hole for the stem? I noticed my front is starting to crack a little so want to replace it this weekend but my shop is an hour away from where i live and ill ride the bike there so need the right size stems when i get there.
Click to expand...

I think you need 11.3 mm stems.
 
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