Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Equipping the Overland Vehicle
Protecting tyre valves Protecting tyre valves
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Overlanders Handbook - everything you need to know, available NOW!

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 Apr 2007
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
Question Protecting tyre valves
On my last trip I had two tyres go flat because the tyre valve developed a small hole where it joins the tube. They were good quality Michelin tubes and on my previous trip I also had one tyre do this.

So is there anything to do to stop this happening? When I replaced the tubes with new Michelin ones they had little plastic bits that seemed to be designed to stop this happening (2 black bits of plastic that clip together to form a protective barrier around the valve). Any experience with these? Do they work or just cause more problems?

I guess the obvious answer is to move to tubeless rims (my tyres will do tubeless) but that would involve ditching 6 very good rims and buying 6 new ones so I'm not that keen on that idea unless the advantages far outway the disadvantages.
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 7 Apr 2007
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
Hi Darrin,

Strange one with the tubes....are the valve stems 'straight' or are they angled when the holes develop ? - could it be tyre creep -like a bike tyre ??? are the tyres tight on the rims and the bead difficult to break -if so its not that !!!

have you checked the seat where the tube valve stem goes through the rim ?- any rough edges that pinch or hole the tube, that need sanding down ? - did it occur on different rims or same ?

Ive been using tubeless now for a long time - and really think its much better - I still carry emergency tubes -but strings are fine for most punctures. You need a decent compressor to reseat though.

Having one less part in the system means theres less to go wrong -and with less friction/heat build up tyres run cooler and last longer IMO.

Cheers
Grif
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Apr 2007
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
Cheers - the valves are all straight and everything seems well fitted. A couple of the rims I had spray painted myself so I shall check that the edges don't have little hard blobs of paint on them.

Other than that could it be sand/dirt getting in there and rubbing?

When you run on tubeless, and thus use tubeless rims, how do you get a tube with a valve in there and pumped up? Surely there is no hole for the vavle to poke out of?
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 7 Apr 2007
Gipper's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Saltspring Island,Canada/Poole,UK
Posts: 1,081
mmm sand in there - It could be -but more likely something catching I would think....look at the damage on the tube and you should be able to tell the difference - if its sand it will look perforated -a single sharp rub point will cause more of a hole/tearing....

I just pull out the tubeless valve stem with some pliers and make sure the tube stem that I have fits through the hole befor I leave ! - the base of the stem size and shape varies a bit between tube manufactors - some old Disco steel rims are fairly cheap and easy to find - they are 7 inch so fine with 235+ tyres.(I run BFG Muds on Defender and BFG A/T on Disco)

let us know the results and what you decide on.

Cheers
Grif
__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Apr 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Scotland
Posts: 775
Darrin,

When you deflate a tyre it will have a tendency to rotate on the rim. No problem with the tubeless type, but the tube valve will stay put and tear on its stem. It seems likely this is your problem. If so, I don't think there's an easy way to cure this problem rather than checking regularly and reseating the tyre.
__________________
----------------
Roman (UK)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Apr 2007
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
Thanks guys,

I never deflated the tyres on the whole trip so I doubt thats it, but when I fix the tyre this week I will have a look.

"I just pull out the tubeless valve stem with some pliers and make sure the tube stem that I have fits through the hole befor I leave ! - the base of the stem size and shape varies a bit between tube manufactors"

Sorry but I have no idea what a tubeless valve stem is! or what you mean at all ;-) In very simple terms please!

I use Michelin 7.50 R16 XZY's
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 7 Apr 2007
HU Sponsor
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Derbyshire, UK
Posts: 161
Darrin, tubeless tyres and tubed tyres both need a valve to put the air in! They both use the same hole in the rim!!!
The difference between a tubeless and tubed rim is the lip where the beading sits. The tubeless rims have a extra lip to 'grip' the tyre. This is why it is so hard to brake the bead on a tubeless rim. Search on the internet for the profile view of wheel rims. You'll see that tubed rims are quite simple, and tubeless are a little more involved.
The plastic thing on the valve that you are talking about is possibly a spacer if you have narrow valves. On most Landies they have fat neck valves, but some inner tubes come with thin neck valves stems so these have a collar to stop the valve stem moving about too much in the large hole in the rim.

Go tubeless!!

Cheers,
Matt
__________________
www.mattsavage.com
VIAIR - 12 & 24 volt compressors and systems. Tyre levers, Land Rover parts, Sand Tracks, Allisport Intercoolers, Overland Prep, and much more...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 7 Apr 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Wiltshire,UK
Posts: 288
If the valve is rubbing on the edge of the hole, you could try drilling it out by a few MM, then making sure that the "inside" of the hole has a nice champfer on it so there are no sharp edges to catch.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 7 Apr 2007
Chris D (Newcastle NSW)'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Newcastle NSW AU
Posts: 153
Tubeless valve stem
Darrin,A tubeless valve stem is the type of valve used for tubeless tyres, it looks just like a tyre tube valve stem on th eoutside of the wheel rim, but on the inside it has a half sphere to keep it secured onto the rim. Is this clear enough?I have recently had Michelin tubes and XZY tyres put on my split rims. The tube stems seems to have a swivelling ability, the valve stem of the tubes can move (swing) parallel with the rim, is this similar to the type you are having trouble with?Chris
__________________
Chris
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A 235/85 R16 tyre pressures Terry Davies Equipping the Overland Vehicle 9 27 Dec 2011 06:58
Iveco tyre pressures ? Phil Flanagan 4 wheel Overland Travel 5 7 Dec 2006 11:49
Tyre change 275/70/16 LANDCRUISER mike 1 North Africa 1 3 Feb 2003 21:43

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:17.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top