checking air in rear tire.

[fatrat45]

I'am not as bendable as I use to be, so that being said what is the easyest or best way to check the air in the back tire on a nomad with out takeing off the bags?

[Pretzel]

I haven't figured that one out myself. I usually just take off the left bag.

You can adjust the stem to stick out to the high side, but you've still got to get under the bag to check it. That's my experience, anyway, YMMV.

[nomadtom69]

the only other way put it on jack then jack it as high as you can get it and ck it

[Yellow Jacket]

I know what you mean. I'll be 69 before the year is over and I'm way less flexible than I used to be. If your valve stem is pointing to the left side it will help a lot to turn it to the right as was mentioned previously. That does make it a lot easier.

The easiest way to fix it would be to get one of those tire pressure sending units. Then you can check the pressure in both tires from the display unit which you can mount on the handlebar.

VulcanE has one and he loves it.

Here are some links:

http://www.doranmfg.com/motorcycle-t...ng-systems.htm
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/217-...FQsGnQodq1YA8A
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/in..._content=87670

[fatrat45]

how reliable are those? and Tom i dont have a jack. i checked it yesterday and had to lay down on the carport to get the air pump on the stem. then had to try to get up with bad knees .

[Yellow Jacket]

Check out this thread:

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...hlight=monitor

[VulcanE]

Randy, I have the second one that Bob (yellow jacket) has listed, and like he says, I do love it. I have bad knees and arthritis, so to me it was money well spent, although they have gone up quiet a bit since I got mine (could shop around for best price). It is very reliable and accurate. You can see what your pressures and/or tire temperatures are just by looking at the receiver in the palm of my hand, which is my key ring. When I first go to get on the bike, I'll turn the TPMS on and kick my tires and it will register the pressures, after that it continuously updates every 30 seconds or so. One of the best purchases I ever made.

[NNJ]

Sure, the send helps you monitor the pressure, but then what do you do when you need to add air?

Also, my 90* bend points left (low side on kickstand).. I want to spin it around to point to right... do I need to remove it? loosen it? loose lots of air in process?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by fatrat45

I'am not as bendable as I use to be, so that being said what is the easyest or best way to check the air in the back tire on a nomad with out takeing off the bags?

You rotate the 90 degree valve stem so it points to the right, instead of to the left. Then it's on the "high side" as the bike is on the sidestand. Easier to get to it. Roll the bike until the valve is at the 7:00 position and it's right there.

I never could do it without having to lay down.

[VulcanE]

NNJ, There's a little invention called a portable air pump that can plug into a power outlet (I use my battery tender hook up) to put air in if you need to. and you can just loosen the nut a little on the valve stem and rotate it. You shouldn't loose much if any air. When you tighten the nut back, don't get too happy with the torque, it is rubber mounted, so it will still flex a little when tight.

[elvis]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

You rotate the 90 degree valve stem so it points to the right, instead of to the left. Then it's on the "high side" as the bike is on the sidestand. Easier to get to it. Roll the bike until the valve is at the 7:00 position and it's right there...

That IS a good tip, CJ. I really cannot see why not but wonder why the valve stem is originally installed pointing left.

[trosco]

Slime makes a dial indicator presure gauage that has a straight shaft inlet and a one way valve so the the pressure reading stays after you remove the guage from the valve stem. It's $5 from Walmart.

I just roll the Nomad till the rear valve stem is toward the bottom rear of the bike, reach down blindly and take the valve cap off. Then push the gauage on the stem. It goes psssst and then I take the guage out and hold it up in front of my tired old eyes and read what it says. If it shows low I release the pressure in the guage and check it the same way again.

Putting air in from my $39 Harbor Freight 2.5 gallon 0.5HP compreassor does require I lay down tho. But 2 out of 3 times the pressure is good so I never have to get down further than one knee.

[1mackdog]

I sure am glad I read this thread. What a great idea to switch the valve stem to the right side. Im going home today and do this. My knees sure will like this. Thanks everyone for this one...

[fatrat45]

Also I would like to thank all who helped out on this one. This is the best place to ask question about anything that has to do with Kawasaki Vulcans. Oh ya and thanks CJ I know you went to the other motorcycle. But you still have a whole lot of knowledge about Vucans. Will turn both front and back stems, and will look for a tire minder systen. thanks again for all your help.

[Erilflynn]

As someone who has (getting replaced Thursday) a slow leak I can tell you it is a real pain to check the rear tire for air. Can't wait to get that new tire!