Fork Air Stem/Nipple leak

Hi All,

Just replaced my fork seals on my 1981 LTD 750. When I went to fill them with air (with my little air shock hand pump), the right one started hissing when I removed the pump so it has an air leak. Does anyone know if this is just a normal Schrader valve stem that I can replace? If not, anyone know the size? Should be an easy fix if the stem can be replaced as I've never had any trouble with it in the past. Thanks for any info you can provide. Cheers.

Ok, answered my own question, lol.

It is, in fact, a standard Schrader valve stem. I went to ye ole Advance Auto and bought a valve tool that came with 4 stems and pulled the old one out and replaced it. Pumped it up and held pressure fine.

The old stem looked OK, so wondering now if it was just a little loose. Should have maybe tried tightening it and testing before pulling it out. Either way, all fixed up. Cheers.

Quick, easy, cheap and learned something.

My favorite kind of solution.

The valve stem has an o-ring, so maybe it's shot or there was some crud keeping it from sealing.

martin_csr wrote: The valve stem has an o-ring, so maybe it's shot or there was some crud keeping it from sealing.

Yes.

Sometimes, simply loosening the core a little allowing a short whisk of air to escape and then re-tightening will clear away the obstruction and regain a full seal.

Good Fortune!

I use Liquid wrench silicone spray lubricant to clean valve stems. and just about everything else on the motorcycle.

TexasKZ wrote: Quick, easy, cheap and learned something.

My favorite kind of solution.

Yup. Mine too!

martin_csr wrote: The valve stem has an o-ring, so maybe it's shot or there was some crud keeping it from sealing.

Yeah, I looked closely at the little O ring and it definitely looks ragged. So replacing it was the way to go.