Problem Inflating Tyre

I had the exact same problem with GS LC. Tesco forecourt air hose.

Near snap! But with a K16 while on holiday. I fixed it by dragging a 12v pump from the bottom of a pannier. My conclusion was that the valve stem on the bike was too short for the petrol station connector to mate with properly. So air could come out, but not get in. After that I carried an extension adapter.
 
I had the exact same problem with GS LC. Tesco forecourt air hose. Car before and after me had no problem!!!
No probs with track pumps or other foot pumps. Never happened to me before in decades.

On a trip to Scotland last year, I got a puncture, so pulled in to a filling station and plugged it. Tried to use their airline, which cost 20p, and suffered the same fate. The machine had to be set to deliver the required pressure but my tyre just would not accept any air. I had to resort to getting out my mini compressor to do the job.

Having to top up the tyre a couple of times on the trip, this happened again. I concluded that there was something different about the fitting on their airlines.
 
Thanks everybody.

So it seems that it is likely an airline problem and one solution is to get a valve extension of some sort. I have ordered one to arrive this week. Will update on if that has solved the issue.
 
Brilliant. I thought I was going nuts and couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I had all 3 panniers on my bike at the time, my heated base layer on high setting and pushed my flat tired bike a long way to the store main lobby. By the time I'd pumped both tyres up with foot pump I was well sweaty. Was on way to NEC bike show and it was a cold morn.
 
This is a common problem with the LC GS, not just UK Forecourts, we have encountered this in France, Spain and Italy.
The problem is caused by short valve stems. Garage forecourt pumps tend to have an end fitting that will fit on enough to depress the valve core but not enough for rhe internal rubber sealing sleeve to do it's job. The screw on types require less thread.
I prefer not to have to rely on finding an airline, punctures seem to be noticed first thing in the morning in an underground carpark.
I carry an Airman pump.
 
I like this adapt or. Better than the screw on ones I reckon coz it won't let as much air out when you unscrew it. Can I ask how the other end attaches to the airline(not clear from pic on Amazon). Do you simply attach the end of inflation gauge as normal?
 
On a trip to Scotland last year, I got a puncture, so pulled in to a filling station and plugged it. Tried to use their airline, which cost 20p, and suffered the same fate. The machine had to be set to deliver the required pressure but my tyre just would not accept any air. I had to resort to getting out my mini compressor to do the job.

Having to top up the tyre a couple of times on the trip, this happened again. I concluded that there was something different about the fitting on their airlines.

Those airlines where you have to preset the pressure have a third button.
It has a flat tyre symbol.
If your tyre is flat, you set the pressure, make the connection, then press that button.
Why it won't inflate from zero unless that button is pressed I don't know but that's how it works.
 
I like this adapt or. Better than the screw on ones I reckon coz it won't let as much air out when you unscrew it. Can I ask how the other end attaches to the airline(not clear from pic on Amazon). Do you simply attach the end of inflation gauge as normal?

Hi,

the other end is just the same as your tyre valve but longer and due it being flexible thing are easy to get at,
The GSA spoke wheels the valves a hard to get at and these work a treat, Got mine from CMC motorcycles Clay cross.
 
Tried to use their airline, which cost 20p....

Pay to check or inflate your tyres to the correct pressure - now there's a massive contribution to Road safety! I was marginally down on pressure the other day and stopped at an air pump in a filling station on the M5. You know the ones: they want 139 a litre for unleaded when it's 115 everywhere else. Perhaps it's cos they're hard for the tanker to get to? Anyway, they wanted a quid to use the airline! I can't imagine very many folks bother.
 
If you have to pay for air at a pump then the machine must be calibrated. If it's free there is no requirement for it to be checked!
 


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