90 degree valve stems

[chipguy1]

I have a used 2008 Nomad. It came with front and back 90 degree valve stems. The rear valve points towards kickstand and I want to change the direction. The valve stem has two nuts holding stem to rim. I loosened the top nut and then started slacking off the nut against the rim. The tire immediately started loosing air. Is that nut against the rim all that holds air in or am I dealing with a defective valve stem?
TIA
Tom

[rozie]

I believe thats how it works. there is a rubber grommet on the lower part of the stem that goes against the inside of the rim. the first nut pulls the stem tight to the rim sealing it and the second nut keeps the first one from backing off. Im getting a new front tire on my vaquero on wed. and a 90 degree stem is going on. make sure your bike is on a jack if your going to let the air out. move the stem where you want, tighten it up and refill.

[DragonLady58]

What he said....gasket between inner stem flange and rim....

[tonik]

Just continue to loosen it, push it down a little to break the seal of the rubber underneath and rotate it and tighten it back up. Then re-air the tire. It will be fine, I did that to mine...lots of us did it for the same reason you are. It's backwards.

[mick56]

Originally Posted by rozie

I believe thats how it works. there is a rubber grommet on the lower part of the stem that goes against the inside of the rim. the first nut pulls the stem tight to the rim sealing it and the second nut keeps the first one from backing off. Im getting a new front tire on my vaquero on wed. and a 90 degree stem is going on. make sure your bike is on a jack if your going to let the air out. move the stem where you want, tighten it up and refill.

"make sure your bike is on a jack if your going to let the air out"

I can see your thinking there,but its not neededl.I have fixed punctures roadside with no jack,and the compressor fills the tyre with no problem.

[Navigator]

This is one of those idiotic features on many bikes. My 2007 Trimph Rocket 3 had the same issue. Fortunately, when I did my first tire change, I had the presence of mind to tell the shop to do a 180 rotation on the valve stem.

I was flamed when I had new tires installed on my 07 Nomad and saw that the mechanic idiots kept the valves stems pointing in the same place, pointing to left and being almost impossible to change.

Which reminds me, I need to turn that rear stem to the right so it will be easy to inflate the tire.

[Jllm02199]

I have both of my 90 degree valve stems pointed to the right. I did it when I put the metal chrome stems in. Makes more since with the bike leaning to the left.
Much easier to put air in. I can reach my rear one by rolling the bike till it accessible between the muffler an the wheel at the rear.

[mick56]

Originally Posted by Jllm02199

I have both of my 90 degree valve stems pointed to the left. I did it when I put the metal chrome stems in. Makes more since with the bike leaning to the left.
Much easier to put air in. I can reach my rear one by rolling the bike till it accessible between the muffler an the wheel at the rear.

Its still a PIA trying to see it though.I put a black felt tip pen mark on the whitewall in line with the valve.

[DragonLady58]

Thats the way Mick! I use a UV Marker, can't see it unless your using a UV light.....That way Igets don't ask me why I marked my wheel. I carry a uv penlight in my toolcase....
https://www.amazon.com/Castnoo-Penli.../dp/B01JOO140C

[Kawalski Rider]

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

Thats the way Mick! I use a UV Marker, can't see it unless your using a UV light.....That way Igets don't ask me why I marked my wheel. I carry a uv penlight in my toolcase....
https://www.amazon.com/Castnoo-Penli.../dp/B01JOO140C

BRILLENT!!

I had been told by a shop, when I had a rear tire mounted and ask to have the 90° valves installed, that the valve stems had to point to the left, because it would hit the rear brake caliper. Which seemed logical at the time. But, after reading post by other members, that they had turned their valve stems without issue. I suspect that shop may have blowing smoke up my @$$..

Guess what I'll be doing the next time I have my bike up on the lift again...

[MrMikey]

I put a black felt tip pen mark on the whitewall in line with the valve.

I used a white paint marker on mine, two lines roughly 12" apart, with the valve stem in the middle. The arrows pointing toward each other so when I look at the tire, I can tell which way the valve is..............Mike

[mick56]

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

Thats the way Mick! I use a UV Marker, can't see it unless your using a UV light.....That way Igets don't ask me why I marked my wheel. I carry a uv penlight in my toolcase....
https://www.amazon.com/Castnoo-Penli.../dp/B01JOO140C

Thats a better way of doing it mate.But i like talking to idiots anyway,especially them weekend warriors on Harleys.It makes me feel smarter than i am.

[mick56]

Originally Posted by MrMikey

I used a white paint marker on mine, two lines roughly 12" apart, with the valve stem in the middle. The arrows pointing toward each other so when I look at the tire, I can tell which way the valve is..............Mike

What size paint brush did you use.That must look like a "The circus is coming to town" advert.