Hi guys

I have a 2012 FXST and the manual reckons the rear 17" tyre should be inflated to 42 lb and the front 21" should be 30 lb. (I tend to run 35 lb in the front though)

This seems like a weird question I realise but others must have struck it.

My problem is that whilst I can get the compressor nozzle onto the filler stem on the smaller profile front 21" wheel, I can't get a compressor nozzle onto the rear wheel because of the larger profile wheel, the angle of the stem and the large rear disc brake. I have both a foot pump and an ARB Compressor and neither nozzle seems to want to go on... the rear disc keeps getting in the way. 

Worse still, from memory all the new air compressor nozzles at servo's seem to be the same as mine now (clip on vertically) and not the older style where the nozzle and the hose are are right angles (90 degrees) 
 

Any suggestions?

Thanks

hi,

i use bicycle pump, have a zefal which does the job, the old style ones are good too
thanks
robots

Crookneez ... stop in at most bike shops and they should be able to sell you a little right angle attachment that you screw onto your valve nice and tight and then use any compressor / garage air line .

Better still , and not exactly sure where to get them but the same idea but with a flexible line about 6" long and do the exact same thing ... try auto barn or super cheap ... the little right angle one mentioned above is nice and small enough to leave in your jacket pocket or small tool kit if you carry one .

Tim .

hey crook, the little elbow that tju is talking about is the go. i always have mine in a pocket in my jacket. you will need to release the shrader valve twice if you use it so put a couple of extra psi in and try to be quick. how are you going with the bike anyway? any stories yet? good luck and all the best mate

You guys are a wealth of knowledge... Thanks very much. I'll go looking for the elbow today.

Got one at my local bike shop guys... $9.95.
Thanks again

Hi Kneez.

I run between 36 to 38 lbs in my front. and 40 in the rear.

cheers 2007 FXSTC,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Jimmy

Well now I'm in a spot of bother... I went out and purchased the 90 degree valve adapter but it doesn't seem to work on the Harley???????
I tried to screw it onto the rear valve stem on the FXST and all it does is let more air out. Worse still, trying to get it to work I've let about another 10 lb of air pressure out as well. The problem is that when I screw the adapter onto the valve, I screw it down as far as it seems to want to go and that just lets air piss out of the adapter and valve. For some reason it won't screw on far enough to seal and stop the air from pissing out.

I tried the adapter on both my wife's push bike (with car valves) and also our Land Cruiser and it works just fine on those valves but it won't work on the Harley valve for some reason. I can't screw it down to tighten it to stop the air leaking.

Now I'm caught because I'm down to about 20 lb of air in the rear tyre and I have no idea how I'm going to pump the tyre up again. Nothing I have at home will work on the valve including the new right angle adapter. Is there something I'm missing here? Christ it shouldn't be this hard to put some fucking air in your tyres.

I'm going fucking crazy because I'm supposed to be going for a ride and I'm definitely not taking her out with only 20 lb in the rear tyre.

Thanks guys... Any ideas?

Can't you get the valve at the bottom of your wheel and feed the air hose down behind the disk from the top right next to the hub???

OK an update... I managed to get a hand pump with a flexible connection on and after about 600 pumps (WHEW!) I got it up to 32 lb. Then a mate turned up with on his Wide Glide and I told him my dilemma and he fiddled around with my foot pump and got it on OK and it was back up to 42 lb in no time. The fact is though that this set up with a solid rear wheel is a pain in the arse.

it wont be such a such a pain in the arse next time crook cos i think you have learned another invaluable lesson in the trials and tribulations of motorcycle maintenance. if your mate isnt around the next time you need to blow up your tyres just ask your wife to do it for you.

Well fuck me Beaglebasher, I hope you're jerking me around and not fair dinkum. Who the fuck are you?

 Hey Crook, I bought an adapter just last week,  from a Harley dealer, works fine, will post a pic as soon as I get home. I'm replying on my phone at the moment.

Crookneez, I bought Harleys little air pump and installed harleys electrical tail to the battery with its plug clipped to seat frame rail. Just gotta plug it in and pump away. I found the servo tyre pump nozzle a pain as well on an 08 softail. I thought the little pump would last a month if that, but works a treat and is a few years old and small. has a flex connector extension  to hook pump nozzle to tyres. that's all I use now. all works a treat. All though if im away from home, I leave the bike idling whilst I top up air as I reackon it would flatten battery if you let it run too long. good thing is that its that small, you just about fit it in a fork bag let alone saddle bags. The other thing I did, is I bought an ARB tyre puncture repair kit, pulled out the bits, undid the grub screw from the spike and insertion tool so it all fits in the softail tear drop toolbox. I can repair a puncture in the rear tyre in 5 mins and be on my way.

Cheers 

Look guys I've never presented myself here as anything but a newbie. I appreciate all the help I've had so thanks for all the positive contribution.

Look guys I've never presented myself here as anything but a newbie. I appreciate all the help I've had so thanks for all the positive contribution.

hey crook settle down my friend. i am fair dinkum and i am just another bloke that has been through the exact same problem you are having now. if the elbow you bought doesnt fit your valve stem (which i very much doubt) you might need to use a pair of pliers to screw it on properly. if you lose all the air in tyre while you are going through the procedure it is no great loss mate. 0 psi-20psi - 40psi. air is still free it takes me about twenty fuckin minutes to inflate my back tyre with a footpump but if i am having a beer while i am doing it it becomes an enjoyable job.

If you can't get air in, run your tires down to 4 or 5 psi, then only ride along the beach

Gidday Crookneez ... sent you a PM before reading here ... glad to see it got sorted ... have a check next time at bike shop or mates bikes or where ever to see if what I mentioned about the length of the stem out of the rim is like on yours compared to others ... does seem strange why it is so hard to seal ... but it is always the little things that can piss us off .

Hopefully you will be able to sit around a B.B.Q in coming months and years and have a laugh at how such a should be simple task got the better of ya ... it happens to most at some stage ... stay cool and don`t get to down .

Cheers ... Tim .

G'day old Crookguts. I notice you are starting to get a bit cranky at times. They are only havin a lend. Anyway, get hold of one of these from the local auto parts suppliers. I have one of these and it works everytime. You might need to get a reducer to fit on to you air line as I think it's a 1/4" bsp fitting. Print this out and take it with you to show them what you need.

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRc0wOV2e6kUpEvWHFSs9xxArSQfK-fPd17BgT877ZbwP0TNYmeEw

Hope this helps.