Using bicycle pumps to fill up FJR tires

[5lbtrout]

I received my PR2's in the mail Thursday but still needed to figure out how to get the bike to the shop for a change. My old tire was flat from some type of a metal object.

I pulled out a bicycle tire and started pumping. Sure enough, it worked fine. I put enough air (28 psi) to get to the shop. The leak was slow enough that a 15-minute ride wasn't a problem.

When I got home, I decided to check my car and tire pressures. They were low. I thought, "heck, why not use my bicycle pump?" Sure enough, it worked fine. I don't have a compressor at home and prefer to fill up my tires at gas station, but it's nice to know that bicycle pumps work.

 

[Fairlaner]

sounds like a lot of work to me.....

R

 

[RadioHowie]

After pumping up two bike tires and four car tires???

 

[5lbtrout]

After pumping up two bike tires and four car tires???

Unfortunately, my skinny arms will never look like that.

It really wasn't that bad on a two-hand foot-rest pump.

 

[wfooshee]

I've used a foot pump on a car tire, but I didn't enjoy it. 12-volt motors are wonderful things!!!!

 

[FJRGuy]

:rofl:

You mean I can use the air pumps at the gas station to fill my tires? I thought those were just for cages! And to think I've been paying my dealer for "motorcycle air" all this time!

 

[Bungie]

And to think I've been paying my dealer for "motorcycle air" all this time!

Funny, you don't look like an HD type of guy.

 

[SacramentoMike]

It's funny, but it wasn't till a few years ago, watching an old WWII movie, that I realized a "bike pump" was all it took. They had to fix a flat on their jeep, somewhere in the wilderness of France or Germany without a gas station in sight anywhere. So one of these days, I'll be getting one of these nifty little compact pumps from the Aerostich catalog as a back-up for my tool kit, in case my Slime pump overheats (again) and quits or blows a fuse in the middle of, well, the French wilderness.

 

[canyonman]

I'll be getting one of these nifty little compact pumps from the Aerostich catalog as a back-up for my tool kit, in case my Slime pump overheats (again) and quits or blows a fuse in the middle of, well, the French wilderness.

I keep a small hand pump on the bike for a backup incase the $19 chinese made slime pump decides the middle of nowhere is the perfect place to not work, takes up no space and will always work.

 

[Harvey]

I always use a floor-standing hand-operated type bicycle pump with built-in guage to bring my tires up to pressure.

It's surprisingly quick and easy, and you won't bother with a compressor or go to the gas station for air again.

 

[scubabiker]

After pumping up two bike tires and four car tires???

And lots of masterbating.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I use a Schwinn footpump with 2 chambers that I purchased at a Wal-Mart...fits nicely in the sidebag with the rest of the stuff. I get about 10 pumps to 2 psi change...so if you aren't off too much...it's not much time or work at all.

...and it doesn't make up the dead with the compressor at the campsite before the early morning ride. It also pumps up a tire faster than the battery run compressor when your tire is flat...as was evidenced a few years ago just before at a Hooterville, MO ride. No battery drain either.

 

[ShinyPartsUp]

It's funny, but it wasn't till a few years ago, watching an old WWII movie, that I realized a "bike pump" was all it took. They had to fix a flat on their jeep, somewhere in the wilderness of France or Germany without a gas station in sight anywhere. So one of these days, I'll be getting one of these nifty little compact pumps from the Aerostich catalog as a back-up for my tool kit, in case my Slime pump overheats (again) and quits or blows a fuse in the middle of, well, the French wilderness.

Never let your pump run sitting on the ground. The compressor sucks in dirt and debris, clogs and overheats. I hold it in my hand for the seconds it takes to air up on my KLR. some bring a string or bungie and tie it up on the bike out of the way.

This trick extends the life of these little pumps. I learned this trick from a guy who has traveled around the world on a bike... more than once.

 

[canyonman]

Never let your pump run sitting on the ground. The compressor sucks in dirt and debris, clogs and overheats. I hold it in my hand for the seconds it takes to air up on my KLR. some bring a string or bungie and tie it up on the bike out of the way.
This trick extends the life of these little pumps. I learned this trick from a guy who has traveled around the world on a bike... more than once.

good advice, thanks

 

[harfooz]

I use a Blackburn Air Tower 4. It's got both Presta (for the bicycles) and Shrader (for the moto and the girls' bicycles) valves in its chuck. I recommend Blackburn for their lifetime replacement policy. I had a gauge that stopped working on one, sent it back, and got a new replacement pump. The AT4 is good for me since it's got the gauge up top where I can actually see it without my reading glasses .

The only thing I wish was different about it is that the lever for the chuck lock is on the long side for use on the FJR. Every time I fill up the tires, I think about grinding off a few mm of the lever so it will more easily clear the wheel. But that hasn't stopped me from using it.

 

[tmc]

I too use a bike pump for my tires. Not the cheap POS found at Wally World - but a nice Ascent MegaForce with a built in (and quite accurate) PSi dial.

When you have 4 bicycles in the garage, including 2 road bikes, you definitely want a very good pump. And with a very good pump, getting the Feej tires up to proper fill is way easier and way faster than breaking out one of the 12v pumps. It's also more precise.

I keep one of my frame-mounted pumps in my saddle as well, along with a plug kit. It's an emergency only thing, so having a 12v compressor is not that important to me. Good old manual style is just fine for me.

YMMV, etc.

 

[sonicspeed]

this is what i use

and a LOT of extension cord :dribble:

 

[Geezer]

Oh, sure. When I posted up about my 'frame mount' bicycle pump in another thread as a valid alternative to carrying a 12 volt compressor everyone teased me. Where were all you hand pump guys when I needed your support. Sheesh! B) :rolleyessmileyanim:

Seriously, in many years of riding I've only needed to patch a tire along the road twice. A hand pump is plenty good for those rare occasions. And a good bicycle pump will do car tires and everything else, but you'll be glad for an actual 110V compressor in your garage if you spoon on your own tires. You just can't pump fast enough to set a bead on some tires. Even with Howie's well practiced forearms. :superman:

 

[kenporider]

I use a Schwinn footpump with 2 chambers that I purchased at a Wal-Mart...fits nicely in the sidebag with the rest of the stuff. I get about 10 pumps to 2 psi change...so if you aren't off too much...it's not much time or work at all.
...and it doesn't make up the dead with the compressor at the campsite before the early morning ride. It also pumps up a tire faster than the battery run compressor when your tire is flat...as was evidenced a few years ago just before at a Hooterville, MO ride. No battery drain either.

+1 I carry one in my sidebag as well. Compact, lightweight, quick and easy.