portable tire inflator

[GoSlo]

Has anyone used or bought one of these for their trike? Are they worth the money? Which one would you recommend? Seen websites for tire sealants and wondered if you used something like that is a portable pump still necessary?

Still trying to learn, so thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[Sloufoot]

Has anyone used or bought one of these for their trike? Are they worth the money? Which one would you recommend? Seen websites for tire sealants and wondered if you used something like that is a portable pump still necessary?

Still trying to learn, so thanks in advance for all your help.

You can use the kit that uses the C02 carts for inflation, or the compressor. But regardless if you travel, ya need something to repair the flat. I use the rubber plug kit w/ a small 12v compressor. It doesn't take up much room, and works quite well.
If you use the C02's it will take at least 2 carts to fill the rear tires, so I just use the compressor.
Never used it on my trike yet, but had to do a couple flats on my two wheelers, and they saved my butt !!
I don't like the sealants. But if you use the sealants, you still need to air the tire. Also if you use the sealants you can't use the balance beads either.

:Trike1:

 

[GoSlo]

Read through the posts on the beads and those have me confused as well, so I'm going to skip that part for now. After reading more on the sealants, it seems like a messy way to go so will probably opt for a plug kit like you mentioned. The CO2 canisters didn't seem practical, so that's why I was asking about a small portable compressor.

I'm assuming the portable compressor will hook up to the either the lighter, battery, or some other power source? There's lots of different brands/makes out there, so if anyone has opinions on which ones to check out or stay away from, I'd appreciate it.

Not sure what the rules are for naming specific brands in threads, so maybe you can't name them, but maybe instead what's important to make sure it has, or doesn't need.

Thanks again.

 

[sprinkman]

Never used it but supposedly Ride-On is a sealer and a balancer that is bio-degradeable. Might want to check it out.

 

[mikestrike]

GoSlo, I pruchased all-in-one 12v air compressor, that has a 12 ft. lighter connector cord, work light and flashing red emergency made by HDX for $19.95 and a plug kit for$8.95 that includes two plugs, glue and tool at Home Depot in the hardware department.

 

[bayoudave]

Have a compressor in the trike. Never used it. Had a flat twice on the trike, first time I could have used the compressor except the valve stem was broken the second time I was right in front of a tire repair place. So, you may never use it but I wouldn't be without it.

 

[luzierg]

I bought a compressor unit from Eglidegoodies .com that mounts under the batwing front fairing. Easy to install and is out of sight. I've never had to use it but it's nice to have around just in case. We do a lot of long distance traveling. I also carry a small plug kit....

 

[retdpd]

I have a small pocket size compressor made by slime $9.99. I bought at auto parts store. It works great!!! I tested it on car tires and my frt tire . It also has a pretty long cord reaches easily from frt to back.

So I would check with your local auto parts. I also carry standard plugs for the tires on the if come. I tried those mushroom plugs they don't work, so don't waste your money on them, the good old plug strips work the best, I bought a couple of those kits at the dollar stores.

 

[trikermutha]

they must be making them portable compressors better these days..I had one or two years ago and they were crap..

 

[87Trike1200]

I've had a couple of different inflators, but the one I like the best to carry on the bike due it its small size and good performance, is marketed by Slime and it is the Power Sport model. (HERE) Slime brand sells several different models, but as far as I know, this is their smallest. Shop around, it's about $30 but I found one on sale a while back for around $20. This thing is terrific, comes in a storage case equal or smaller than the size of a Honda tool kit.

 

[bustedwing]

A word of advice, some of the plug ins have an inline fuse that of course burns out before the tire is inflated. I cut off the end and installed battery clamps, that way you bypass the low fuses and get your tire repaired.

 

[wonderment]

I carry a portable, cigarette lighter powered compressor in my car all the time. I have one rim that must be out of round, so I have to add air to it at least once a week. I think these units are very handy to have, especially since most gas stations charge for air anymore.

 

[GoSlo]

Thanks for all the ideas on the inflators. Looked at the fairing mounted one as suggested, but it's way too expensive for what I hope will be limited use. Based on the suggestions on this thread and a different thread on tire sealants, I may wind up going that way and still get a small compressor.

Thanks again!!

 

[GARYD]

I have the Stop-n-go engine adapter kit. It fills the tire in about 5 seconds. No pumps or CO2 bottles to take up valuable space. The whole kit is the size of a Big Mack only a lot thinner.

One FYI that I found out the hard way. Replace the tube of glue every year. The original one will dry up and be hard as a rock just when you need it.

Save the wave :wave4:

 

[eagle1]

I remember years ago we had

 

[eagle1]

years ago I remember we bought a tire inflator that was just a hose that you took out the spark plug and screwed in a adapter and hooked up the other end to the valve core.
inflate the tire & your off & going. wonder if they are still available?

 

[Rod69]

I bought the Harley portable air compressor at my dealer. Think it was 39.00. Have used it a couple of times seems to do ok. Plugs into the lighter on the Triglide. Also has a valve extension with it.

 

[gr8phun]

I carry a compressor mfg.by Slime has a built in flash light.

For about @$20-25 at Wally

Also carry sticky rope plugs.

Never used,but several riders on the GL1800 site have.

I cut off the lighter plug and soldered alligator clips on to clamp

onto the battery terminals.

 

[GoSlo]

I have the Stop-n-go engine adapter kit. It fills the tire in about 5 seconds. No pumps or CO2 bottles to take up valuable space. The whole kit is the size of a Big Mack only a lot thinner.

One FYI that I found out the hard way. Replace the tube of glue every year. The original one will dry up and be hard as a rock just when you need it.

Save the wave :wave4:

Which one did you get? They have several available on their website.

Thanks!

 

[Smitty Werben Manjensen]

marketed by Slime and it is the Power Sport model.

I got the same one. Used it a couple times just to air up the tires, and it works fine. I have a pigtail hanging out under the seat side, which I can hook into with the Slime.

 

[GARYD]

Eagle1 that's the one I have.

GoSlo, I bought mine many years ago. The closest one on their website is the Delux SKU 1015, but mine just had the hose/adaptors and plugs for tubeless tires. It didn't have all the stuff that they show on their website.
I guess you could call it a "basic kit". I don't know if they sell a base kit or not anymore.

 

[Bill Reber]

I have a plug kit and a slim pocket compressor , so far never used but always with me.