posted July 24, 2006 11:06 PM
Pep Boys tire pressure valve caps? I went today to Pep Boys and bought some tire valve caps that show green until your tire pressure reaches below 32psi.
Does anyone know if these are accurate, or last very long. I like to look down and just know my pressure is ok before even going to the video store. Call me a bitch, but tire pressure has been an issue with my 14.
posted July 25, 2006 05:37 AM
My wife's Acura came with those things... they say "32" on them, but when I notice the tires looking a bit soft and check them with a real gauge, they have been down to 26-28lbs... but the stupid green indicator was still happy saying "32".
Thay may tell you when your tire is flat, but that's about all. Waste of money... ____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
posted July 25, 2006 06:51 AM
Be careful of these caps. In addition to not being very accurate, the extra weight of them at high speeds can cause them to actually pull your valve stem over and you could loose air pressure at high speeds. I read this in one of the Euro bike magazines a few years ago.
Makes sense when you think of the centrifugal force at 180 mph.
posted July 25, 2006 07:13 AM
I thought the problem was that those type of caps (like the Tirefly lit ones) acutally read pressure by depressing the valve stem core and that at high speed there was a chance of the tire deflating as speed increased?
quote:I thought the problem was that those type of caps (like the Tirefly lit ones) acutally read pressure by depressing the valve stem core and that at high speed there was a chance of the tire deflating as speed increased?
The valve stem is depressed as soon as you screw them on, so driving/riding at speed really shouldn't make a difference.
That begs the question - Would you rather your valve core try to keep the air in your tire, or would you trust a newly-invented device with an o-ring to do the job? I'll stick with my tried-and-true valve stems. And for that matter, I always replace my valve caps with high-quality aluminum caps with an integral o-ring as a backup. That's two seals that the air has to get past. Besides, they look better. than the black plastic thing. ____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
posted July 25, 2006 11:27 AM
Edited By: speedgene on 25 Jul 2006 12:31
quote:I thought the problem was that those type of caps (like the Tirefly lit ones) acutally read pressure by depressing the valve stem core and that at high speed there was a chance of the tire deflating as speed increased?
Probably irrelevant riding around in the streets with the "Pep Caps", but what about at 186? If K is running plastic valve caps, I would assume there's not enough (centripetal force) pressure on Schrader's pin head to lose air? LSR bikes use the better sealing steel valve stem caps. Physics wise, I have no idea (at what speed) the Schrader will override the air pressure in the tire/spring, ect? Kind of scary finding out what the inertial limit is on the "Pep's".... at 186?
____________
E-tard
posted July 25, 2006 12:28 PM
Well, the "Pep's" is already pushing down on the valve stem (that's how they monitor your pressure), so that's a moot point. The question is how good is the "Pep's" secondary seal, and do you trust that at 186?
____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
posted July 25, 2006 12:54 PM
I've had them to 155 (actual), but I had not known of a problem. I am now reluctant to ride with them. I'll take the safe than sorry approach.
posted July 25, 2006 02:33 PM
I'll probably be taking them off the wife's car. They are a tad on the ugly side and since I know they are innacurate, I don't trust them anyway. Wonder how much I can get for them on eBay? ____________
'06 Passion Red ZX-14 | Black D&D Slip-ons | Speedo Healer | V1 | zumo 550 | Heli-Risers | PhantomX
posted July 26, 2006 05:03 AM
Well the stock tires are recommended to have 42 psi front and rear, so I would hope you would notice a handling decrease (especially in the front) way before you got to 32 psi, hence it's a worthless mod on the 14 anyways........................
quote:I usually like my psi in the 36-38 range when i ride. 42 is too high, for me at least.
Wow, can you get decent feedback from the front with that? I always go with the recommended pressure on the stock tire, and then maybe even go slightly higher.
posted July 26, 2006 09:00 AM
recommended pressure is too high for me. Even on my SRT8 the recommended was 51, but I would tide with 44. Personally i feel when taking turns high pressure is unforgiving to road hazards such as pits and grooves in the road which makes me feel unstable. A slight less pressure when I'm healed over hard into a turn, tends to not react so abruptly to every notch making it a bit smoother and a safer ride. Also when riding at max pressure, there is no leeway to changing temperatures which can increase or decrease tire pressure, which can cause a blowout.
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posted July 24, 2006 11:06 PM
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