Scary Moment Valve Stem Failure

[Eddiem]

Aloha All..

I almost bit the dust yeterday on windy road here in Oahu, my rear valve Stem literaly exploded and I almost lost control of the bike while driving on a windy road here in Oahu...

I'm telling you this one was scary.....specially not having ever experienced this type of failure....has anyone in the board seen this happen....

The second part of the day was spent towing the thing home and then taking the rear wheel off....which was a nightmare becase the 4 studs that hold the wheel were so so so tight that all my 220 LBS and then some could not get them to loosen. Unfortunatelly I did not have an impact wrench and I had to use a breaker bar to loosen the friggin things....

Not one of the shops that I took the tire on Sunday would replace the stem, so I will be looking today for a shop that will do...

Simply put bad scary Sunday.

EM

[cworley5150]

Glad to hear you kept the rubber side down. What exactly happened to the valve stem?

I most defintely wouldn't be using whoever mounted the last tire for you again. The rear wheel studs torque to 75ft. lbs. DO NOT let a shop use an impact to tighten them.

[Eddiem]

cworley5150

Thanks for your reply, the Valve stem side simply blew up...When I was able to stop I thought that the bike had blown up, but after a few seconds I realize that it was the valve stem, it was simply hanging there (1/2 of it). The sound was like a when you blow a tire....but this was the stem.

I purchased the bike used and the previous owner put new rubber before I purchased, by looking at the studs it looks like your assesment is correct and that someone used an impact wrench on the wheel.....There are marks on the studs that indicate this...

Any how I'm taking the tire to the shop and I just purchased brand new stems to replace both of them from the local BMW dealer...I think I read a thread here in the board that refers to making sure you use the correct stem....I'll look it up..

Aloha!

EM

[boxermania]

Eddiem

Rubber stems should be changed every tire change, as they are inexpensive and pivotal to your safety. Since you are looking for a replacement may I suggest that you inquire into the angled metal ones.....most of the time these can be obtained from the Honda dealers as they are standard fitment on the Goldwings.

They are easier to access and superior to the rubber ones.

Just a thought......I would check the front one as well.....

[awagnon]

Eddiem,

There was an article in the MOA magazine sometime in the last year about valve stem failures. I can look for it if you're interested. Anyway, since reading it, I carry a spare BMW brand stem with me when I ride very far.

I also carry an oil site glass window, my old alternator belt, and my old throttle cable. None of them take up much room and could get me back on the road without having to wait for or hunt for parts. I picked these parts to carry because a BMW mechanic I trust says these are what seems to strand riders by the road the most.

[sweatmark]

Thanks! These are great tips:

...angled metal ones.....most of the time these can be obtained from the Honda dealers as they are standard fitment on the Goldwings... They are easier to access and superior to the rubber ones.

...carry a spare BMW brand stem with me when I ride very far... I also carry an oil site glass window, my old alternator belt, and my old throttle cable

[Beemeridian]

44

[jm1515]

That's enough for me...these are going in on the next tire change.....

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/

[CycleRob]

Those valvestems are very similar to what some Triumphs come with stock.

Eddiem, Your valvestem failure was no accident. It has very few causes.

-- Number 1 is the person that installed it with not enough lube and/or most importantly, way too much tension force, tearing the stem internally.

-- Heavy valvecaps like the motion activated, 3 button cell powered FireFly. I no longer see those cheaply made flashing LED thingies for sale . . . . guess why.

-- Old age stem rubber combined with aggressive mechanical cleaning procedures.

-- Lastly is a defective part. After installing thousands of them in 10 years, I've never had one feel weak (indicating a bad part) upon installing them. That's using (MANY!!) of the bag of 100 "stubby" valvestems costing $25 dealer. We charged $1 for a new stem, that included the 1 minute clean-n-lube installation.

I always based changing the stems on it's age and condition. Usually never longer than 3 or 4 years. An oxidized, faded, dull or powdery surface means it's overdue! Many 1000cc SportBikes literally EAT tires!! On those bikes, a minimal tilt of the valvestem reveals it's age and condition. "Rubbery" and flexible is OK, "Hard" and stiff is NG . . . . in much the same way that you can tell from the squeeze that the loaf of bread is fresh, getting stale or IS stale. Usually the customer specifies to install new stems or to skip it because they were recently new. The most important thing is cleaning the Aluminum (or Magnesium) rim's recessed pocket the stem's flanged base fits into. Skipping that step increases the likelihood of a slow leak. I used a hand drill with a small diameter axial brush to polish the surface clean and shiny of it's rubber residues or corrosion, guaranteeing a perfect seal when the juicily rubber lubed valvestem is effortlessly popped into place.

.

[Eddiem]

Aloha

Well after reading cyclerobs article i think I know what happened here:

1- It looks like the previous owner of the bike did not use the proper SHORT BMW stems the one the bike had in the rear tire was I believe a car stem.

2- I happen to have cleaned the wheels with these degreaser, I spilled some oil on the rim and wanted the wheel and tire to be free of oil..(not a good thing to have on a tire and wheel) and I think that the strenght of the solution used may have weakend the stem.

3- Boxermania, I was not able to get the Honda stems, not available here...I was ripped off at the local BMW dealer they charged me $5.75 per stem but 40 per wheel....what a friggin ripoff that is....Oh BTW I took the weels off all they had to do was to break the bead, take the old stem off clean and lube the wheel and install the new stem....I could do that if I had the tools to remove the tire....darn..

Any how I am back on the horse and riding.

Aloha to all.

Eduardo

[boxermania]

Eddiem

Sorry my friend....next time you renew your valve stems, at the BMW dealer, bring some lubricant as it will facilitate the experience.....errr.....the installation.........