Tire inflator

[RaiderSix]

Well, a few weeks ago I had the unfortanate pancake flat tire while away from home. Luckily, my buddy had a tire plug kit and a small cigarette lighter compressor and hooked me up with enough air to get home. While perusing Cycle Gear tonight I came across this nifty little pump. They had a few different pump "kits" from the same manufacturer on hand, but this one seemed the most usefull. It is only 6.5" long and can take threaded or unthreaded 16 gram CO2 cartridges. The beautiful part of it is that it is a hand pump as well. I am kind of skeptical that 16 grams of CO2, by itself, could make a motorcycle tire round again. I haven't tried it out yet, but I read a few reviews of it on a mountainbike forum and another bicycle forum and they loved it. It is supposed to be capable of delivering 60 PSI, if you feel like pumping that long. It is a little pricey at $31, but it will give me peace of mind to have it along for the ride.
 

[MuddDawg]

IIRC it takes about 7-10 C02 cartrages to inflate a motorcycle tire. Seems like a lot to carry arround for a one time use. But since it has a regular pump on it the few C02s  you do have could get you part way.

[mygala]

One of the nice folks on the COG forum turned me on to the little inflator that WallyWorld sells. I think it was all of $10. If you remove the plastic cover, it's small enough to fit under the seat on some bikes. Fits where the tool kit used to go on my Connie.

I also bought a 12V outlet from Wally that has an SAE plug on it. It plugs right into my Battery Tender tail.

All I have to do is plug in the outlet, then plug in the inflator. (also helps if you patch/plug the tire first.)

bob

[RickC1957]

I have used the StopNGo plug and inflation kit, took 6 CO2 cartridges to inflate rear to 38 PSI. Worked but but the CO2 cartridges aren't cheap and need more hand strenght than I could muster:( Luck for me a young strong rider on a Z1000 stopped an helped me out. I still use the StopNGo kit, but I bought a small 12VDC compressor from Harbor Freight Tools for $10. I used the kit and compressor on the way back from Meat and Greet, worked like a charm. Vivid1 has had the same compressor, but nothing but porblems with her's:( Go figure...so be careful.

[marc11]

I used to carry a plug and Co2 kit with four of the smaller carts, then after a pretty good write up in MCN and after reading how you really need something like six or eight C02 carts to fill the tire, I grabbed a 12v air pump made by Slime.
 
Highly rated by MCN, very very compact, comes with all sorts of power adapters and a nice little case.  Haven't had to use it, other than a test run, but at least now, with the pump and a plug kit I am pretty much covered.

[GRN]

I used to carry a plug and Co2 kit with four of the smaller carts, then after a pretty good write up in MCN and after reading how you really need something like six or eight C02 carts to fill the tire, I grabbed a 12v air pump made by Slime.
 
Highly rated by MCN, very very compact, comes with all sorts of power adapters and a nice little case.  Haven't had to use it, other than a test run, but at least now, with the pump and a plug kit I am pretty much covered.

+1 on the Slime unit, works very well, have used if to do pressure adjustments on the VStrom when making environment transitions. I got CO2 cans w/ my repair kit, filed them somewhere to probably be thrown out next time we move

[intrcptrrdr]

I have a 12V air pump I found at WM.  I stripped the case off and stuffed it into a shaving kit bag along with a plug kit.  I have not had to use it on my bike yet, but I did use it to repair and reinflate a tire on my pick up truck when I puntctured a tire with a nail.  The little pump worked like a charm.  My set up uses the big alligator clips to connect to the battery.

[slowrider]

I carry a StopNGo plug kit and a Airman Sparrow 12V inflator. I think I got both at http://www.casporttouring.com but they are available elsewhere. Both easily fit under the seat on my VSTROM 650. The inflator can be purchased with a cigarette lighter, BMW or direct battery connection if my memory is correct but you may have to shop different vendors to find the option you want.

[garry]

I just picked up a cool little tire repair kit for $35 that includes a compressor off eBay. The guy that puts them together is a regular on the DL650 Yahoo groups email list. Here is his web site:
 
http://motopumps.com
 
I also have a Stop-n-Go kit with the CO2 cartridges, but I wanted something with a compressor so that I can lower the tire pressure on the Wee Strom for dirt, then pump it back up for paved. So I took the quick and dirty route and spent money rather than piece something together myself.

[ducsbill]

I have one of these and have been very happy with it.

http://bestrestproducts.com/celestia/products/cyclepump/

Bill W.

[TC Rides]

The slime kit available from Cyclegear is the best one I've found. It inflates a tire in only a few minutes and the case is padded so I can pack it on the bottom of my luggage. Comes with a small pressure guage too. I think mine was $30 plus about $5 to ship. The Cyclepump unit is about $100.
Here's the link:
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=SLI_40001

[RickC1957]

The slime kit available from Cyclegear is the best one I've found. It inflates a tire in only a few minutes and the case is padded so I can pack it on the bottom of my luggage. Comes with a small pressure guage too. I think mine was $30 plus about $5 to ship. The Cyclepump unit is about $100.
Here's the link:

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=SLI_40001

Tim I saw the slime kit at Harbor Freight Tools...or it appears to be the same. But went with the cheaper....$10 unit made by Chicago Electric....have you used the Slime kit yet?

[RickC1957]

Found this one $13...for those on a budget:D

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43520

[Geezerider]

Found this one $13...for those on a budget:D
 
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=43520

I have the same.  I took the guts out of the black plastic and it takes a fraction of the space.  Works fine.

[TC Rides]

Tim I saw the slime kit at Harbor Freight Tools...or it appears to be the same. But went with the cheaper....$10 unit made by Chicago Electric....have you used the Slime kit yet?

I filled up my kind of low front tire the day I got it. Works great and fills up the tire quick too. A little on the big side compared to some other units, but it somes in a case with about 4 or5 kinds of plugs to run it off anything; Battery, 12v plug, SAE plug, battery leads and small alligator clips. Nice unit.

[Chips]

As slowrider says, CASporttouring.com offers the Sparrow for $15.98. Looks to be small enough to tuck under the seat of most sport touring mounts. http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=2930&Category_Code

[TRaGiK]

Here's a pic of what I keep with me:
 

 
It uses co2 cartridges, but 45 grams instead of the smaller 12 or 16 gram ones. Kit comes with everything pictures (2 45 gram co2's, patches, plugs, rubber cement, reamer, plug installer, and pouch to store it in).
 
The directions said it'd fill a cruiser tire (Forgot the size) up to 38 psi. I figured it'd fill up a rear 180 tire to atleast 30psi, so it should work fine should I ever need it.
 
Costed me $50 from the local cyclegear, and should fit under the seat of any bike...even ones with undertail exhaust.

[roadrailer]

Here's a pic of what I keep with me:
 
 
 
It uses co2 cartridges, but 45 grams instead of the smaller 12 or 16 gram ones. Kit comes with everything pictures (2 45 gram co2's, patches, plugs, rubber cement, reamer, plug installer, and pouch to store it in).
 
The directions said it'd fill a cruiser tire (Forgot the size) up to 38 psi. I figured it'd fill up a rear 180 tire to atleast 30psi, so it should work fine should I ever need it.
 
Costed me $50 from the local cyclegear, and should fit under the seat of any bike...even ones with undertail exhaust.

$50, holy crap!
 
I use a 12v pump I picked up at Wal-Mart for $10 bucks. I keep it in the right pannier, but it also fits under the seat. Works very well. Plugs and tools go in the tank bag.
 

[TRaGiK]

Yeah. Kind of pricey at $50, especially since co2 refills are $20 for 2.
 
But I bought it before I had my saddle/tail bag setup, so space was at a premium.
 
Even with my new setup, space is/will still be at a premium.

[SuperHans]

As slowrider says, CASporttouring.com offers the Sparrow for $15.98. Looks to be small enough to tuck under the seat of most sport touring mounts. http://www.casporttouring.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=2930&Category_Code

I bought one of these. Pretty compact. Haven't needed it as of yet.

[OnlyVees]

I could be wrong, but I think the Airman Sparrow only has the car-style 12V connector. If it had the battery leads, I'd have one in my pannier.

[Chips]

I could be wrong, but I think the Airman Sparrow only has the car-style 12V connector. If it had the battery leads, I'd have one in my pannier.

From the pic, it looks like battery clamps are included. I would cut off the clamps and install an SAE connector to plug into my battery tender wire. Hmm, but the description says it has a cigarette plug. Either way, I'd remove it.

[slowrider]

From the pic, it looks like battery clamps are included. I would cut off the clamps and install an SAE connector to plug into my battery tender wire. Hmm, but the description says it has a cigarette plug. Either way, I'd remove it.

Check here for cigarette/powerlet plug model. http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/1872/525/

[Ant]

Even with my new setup, space is/will still be at a premium.

Just to go slightly off topic (don't worry - I'll bring it back again, honest!!) has anyone else noticed that not matter how many storage nooks and crannies you find or add (in the shape of tank bags and panniers etc) you will never ever have "enough" space for going on a trip. You always used to manage with a rucksack, then you got a tankbag and yet you still need more. Then a top box (my current stage), then you start looking at side panniers. Its a never ending vicious circle!

Anyway, back on topic - I've got a can of synthetic latex stuff for sealing the tyre from the inside. Bought a can for my mate to rescue him from work once and the stuff works wonders. The only problem is that while it pressurises the tyre somewhat it doesn't do a complete job. Fortunately that day we borrowed a foot pump off someone else at the office but if I was out in the wild blue yonder then I'm not sure it'd be quite up to scratch. I'm not convinced about these CO2 cartridges to be honest, just seems a lot of hassle compared to a small compressor? The trick is finding a compressor here in the UK that can fit in the premium space Whatever that may be!

[TRaGiK]

 I'm not convinced about these CO2 cartridges to be honest, just seems a lot of hassle compared to a small compressor? The trick is finding a compressor here in the UK that can fit in the premium space Whatever that may be!

Hassle? How so? You screw the cartridge on, and fill the tire. How much easier do you want it?

They work. My boss keeps one on his Electra Glide, and has used it. He said it works great.

To each his own tho. I'll keep the Co2 deal and my extra room!