Dosn't everybody use Metal Valve caps??

[VincentHill]

Except for the 2000 ZX12, that has bent metal valve stems to cause centrifugal force to keep the shrader valve closed, most bikes have the tire valves in the middle of the rim facing up. As Scott knows, the cause of Barry Sheens horrible crash at Daytona back in the 70's was tire deflation. They found that centrifugal force caused the tire valve to move downward and let all of the air out of the tires. They found that the "ONLY" Thing keeping the air in the tire was the seal of the valve cap. Since the "Street Bikes: now can all go over 150, we all should be using steel tire vlaves with the rubber seal inside. (Not some of those fancy caps with Dice and other things

[02SE]

I do, I use the ones that come on BMW cars. However, I'm not yet a land speed racer.

[two_wheel_mayhem]

Only if it had a faulty valve with weak spring to begin with. You don't see too many stock bikes with metal stems. When I was behind the pits at the Indy 500 there were metal valve caps scattered all over the ground, they don't reuse them. I pocketed some.

As far as the ZX12 having bent stems to prevent force on the schrader valve from opening I'd believe that one if I saw a test I suppose.

[VincentHill]

Only if it had a faulty valve with weak spring to begin with. You don't see too many stock bikes with metal stems. When I was behind the pits at the Indy 500 there were metal valve caps scattered all over the ground, they don't reuse them. I pocketed some.

As far as the ZX12 having bent stems to prevent force on the schrader valve from opening I'd believe that one if I saw a test I suppose.

Only the Year 2000 models have the bent valve stem. It faces backward to the rotation of the wheel to allow the centrifugal force to "Pull" vs Push the valve stem. SInce they cost more than the plain rubber valves, they were not used in later models. I still use the steel with washer vlave cap.

I posted this thread so that anyone "NOT" using a steel valve cap would seriously consider using one.

Not the best picture, but you can see that the stem is bent forward on the rear wheel which means that the weight of the valve stem is opposit the rotation of the wheel

[Mospeada]

So, uh, where do we get the caps?

[SPEED KING]

From any rim and tire center.

J

[firemanjim]

It's not just the caps, you need metal valve stems also.Easy enough to get most places,but not a lot of them in scenic Wendover Nevada(ask me how I know).

[Black-n-Blusa]

It's a true phenomenon that I've experienced myself.  The first time I took my ZX-11 to an honest 190mph I deflated the rear tire.  Just a brief excursion to that speed, and it became immediately apparent when I slowed down.  Just changing the caps has worked for me and satisfies ECTA rules.  Been much faster now (220+) with metal caps and rubber stems and never a problem.

[BadSouthernBusa]

I just lost a valve stem on the front tire on run somewhere around 196+ on the juice probably only a 12 second pull . when started to slow down found steering to feel real heavy , got to the gas station and heard the dreaded    SHHHHHHHHHH   and was going down fast , the valve stem tore in half !

im lucky I had not been in it for a long time .
gonna try to get a few2 metal ones today .

Allen

[VincentHill]

Just reading that Scared me!! The fact that you saved it is all that is important here!

[BadSouthernBusa]

yeah just glad i got off the interstate and didnt go on sown the road .

replaced with some nice chorme plated steel universal valve stems , no chance to tear in half and they look great , simple install push in and just lock tite the nut on the stem , really nice pieces , 1.82 a piece !!

Allen

if ya dont have metal stems you should definetly consider .  no need to even break your rims down , 8" C-clamp will work great to move the tire over ! 20 minute job.

[VincentHill]

yeah just glad i got off the interstate and didnt go on sown the road .

replaced with some nice chorme plated steel universal valve stems , no chance to tear in half and they look great , simple install push in and just lock tite the nut on the stem , really nice pieces , 1.82 a piece !!

Allen

if ya dont have metal stems you should definetly consider .  no need to even break your rims down , 8" C-clamp will work great to move the tire over ! 20 minute job.

You just answered my other question on How you got them in? Kawasaki had a recall on the Stem Nut which all I had to do was remove the small nut and replace with a Big one. Make sure you use the Metal Caps that have a rubber seal inside.

[casingbill]

I guess I should take off those valve caps with the blinkning  blue lights when I go over 150.

[VincentHill]

I guess I should take off those valve caps with the blinkning  blue lights when I go over 150.

If you ever had them to begin with!  

[sickevan]

when you guys get the metal stems grab some of my billett 45.cal shells or 32.cal cyclinder caps @http://www.sickshooter.com guns bikes and bitches