Tyre Pressure

  • Fat-Boy
    Fat-Boy
    16 years ago

    Whats the go here, I'm tired of having to ride from servo to servo trying to find an air pump that works and has the pressure guage working as well. If I find one that does work I have to hang around till the tyre cools because I have been riding for that long that the tyres are too warm. During the week I ride solo and on weekends I usually take my wife for a spin and have to keep changing the back tyre pressure for safety sake. 

    Do most of you have your own tyre pumps or whats the go. If I do go out and buy one, which I think is probably the way to go, can someone recommend one and where do I get it? Cheers

  • Mainey88
    Mainey88
    16 years ago

    As a fourby enthusiast as well,  I purchased a portable pump and good quality gauge from ARB but they both available from any decent off road place like Opposite lock or TJM even Repco, Coventrys or Supercrap but with the tyre gauge spend a few extra bucks and get yourself a decent one..................as there is a lot of rubbish around. Have a look in your manual regarding pressures and remember that the pressures in your tyres can increase by about 4lbs from cold to hot. Hope this helps.................  

  • Phillthy
    Phillthy
    16 years ago
    Got my own compressor.

    Always do mine at home before its riden and tyre cold.

    +1 with the extra bucks for a good gauge and 4lbs extra.
  • twincam88b
    twincam88b
    16 years ago
    I have a good quality hand pump, and decent pressure guage. Same as above I do it at home before the ride. In fact I usually leave the tyre pressure set at the recommended pressure for 2 up, as a lot of my riding is 2 up anyway. Same deal with the air shocks, but you don't have to worry about that Fat Boy.
  • Panchop
    Panchop
    16 years ago
    funny, I always let the air out of me rear when going on long ride to give me a little rear suspension, I have compressor at home and I agree spend a little more on the guage
  • Fat-Boy
    Fat-Boy
    16 years ago

    Thank you to all,

    I went out and bought a Michelin foot pump and a pencil pressure guage. Bought these products from Supercheap Auto Total cost about $60.00.

    Got to tell you, I first went to Bunnings just as an offshot to see what they had and very nearly walked out with a full on 2.5HP air compressor, somewhere in my tiny brain I was thinking that I could spraypaint stuff with it as well. Well I have never spraypainted anything in my life and probably never will so I quickly cast that idea aside and stuck to the original plan.

    Anyway thanks again.

  • nobody
    nobody
    16 years ago

    Unfortunately you will soon become sick and tired of pumping up tyres with a foot pump,you should have bought the compressor,as you would have had the convenience of altering tyre pressures in next to no time on the bike,but also able to adjust pressures quickly on any cars that you own,you would also have had the versatility of onhand compressed air for cleaning or drying of items,also the ability to operate any air operated tools.Footpumps are for people that pump up pool toys.

     

    nobody

  • kiteman
    kiteman
    16 years ago

    I ride 90% of the time with the missus on the back so I have 30lb front and 40lb rear on the WideGlide. Has been just fine for 35,000km with over 20,000km from both tyres. Am I doing something wrong?

     

     

  • gonzo
    gonzo
    16 years ago
    I've got one of those LCD digital pressure gauges with the "battery for life". I was about $15 but I checked it, and it was really accurate. It even fits in the tiny space around the valve between the dual disks and the spokes so I can actually use it to take a reading on the front wheel of the RKC. Why HD didn't do something like an off-set valve is beyond me...
    Gonzo.
  • Fat-Boy
    Fat-Boy
    16 years ago

    Update, took the foot pump back and bought a 2HP compressor, got it home, stuck the wheels on it and within 5 minutes had the tyres checked and pumped then used the air cleaner and blew out the dust from all the nooks and crannys around the whole bike.

    Stress free, popped the Mrs on the back and went for a ride.  

  • Firey
    Firey
    16 years ago
    Iv'e got a fatty, have Michelins on, after a bit of advise from the old owner, My H.D mechanic, and a heap of trial, I like 34 in the front and 36 back, I find any less air seems to make it roll a bit, feels a bit sluggish in the corners, so I must be doing something wrong too
  • Firey
    Firey
    16 years ago

    Yer no worries, glad to read you have got it all sussed, I'm going to wack 40 in mine and see how it travells

  • MapleLeafs
    MapleLeafs
    16 years ago
    If you heed the words of the canny defensive driving instructors, tyre pressures on any vehicle are pretty much the most critical. Good move that people are well into them. If this was across the board with all motorists, it'd be a good thing.