Installing metal valve stems on tubes

[Brad in Germany]

Cheaper to buy separately and self assemble.

I recently bought new tubes (with rubber stems) and repro metal tire valve hardware, etc from Brattons. They were cheaper to buy separately than it was to buy the pre-installed metal valves and tubes.

Fordially,
Brad in Germany

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Although they are not original, why would you not buy a set of tubes from Brattons which already has the Metal Stems installed? Comments Please!
Joe Grobleski
Cape Codder

Hey Joe, I guess the same mindset could apply to why spend the money for a prime-cut piece of steak when a cheap cut of steak from a discount store will still fill your belly and both will turn into the same thing in a day or so later!!

It is indeed cheaper to go the route of new but that follows more under the category of "Replacement" rather than 'Restoration' in some folks eyes. In today's current market with authentically restored valve stems fetching in excess of $100 a piece, it seems like it is the cheaper way out for something that is authentic looking for most people however the reproductions are indeed discernible for those who know what to look for. Just a priorities preference I suppose.


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[Richard Redmond]

Thank you, John Carter, for that great photo article.

Ever since getting my Roadster I was puzzled by the metal valve stem that I saw in the catalogues and elsewhere for sale. I reckon I'll have a go at this now that I understand that it is possible to re-use the modern style inner tubes that I have.

By the way - what is a clincher tyre and what is recommended PSI for a "standard' road / touring tyre?

Richard

 

[w.michael]

John Carter, Thanks for the pictures/tutorial. I've been reluctant to sacrifice a tube just to learn how the rubber stems are made, and how they can be removed.

 

[John_Carter]

Richard - A clincher tire is a high pressure tire like that used on most Model Ts. It needs the higher pressure (55-70psi) to keep it from spinning on the rim.

BTW - that is another advantage of metal stems - they are less likely to get cut if the tire pressure gets low and the tire rotates a little on the rim (not a big problem on the balloon tires on the Model A however). Answering the "why?" question above, in addition to it being more authentic than the tubes sold with the stem vulcanized in, the cheapskate part of me likes the fact that the stems can be reused in the future by buying the cheaper rubber stem tubes. For our Model T I've been able to get original metal stems for a dollar or so apiece on Ebay or at swap meets; I haven't found those cheap Model A stems yet though... Now if I can only find metal stems for the wheel in our Mustang that keeps spinning the hubcap and ruining the valve stem...

Clinchers: