Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Front Tire Change Question

Need to change out my front tire as a slow leak has gotten worse. I've changed many dirtbike tires, but this will be my first tubeless street tire change.

Just a question for those of you who have changed out your fronts. How do I replace the needle stem assembly?
Main reason I am replacing the tire is because after attempting to squirt some "Slime" product in the tire I discovered that the needle stem must have some type of check valve, because the "Slime" could not pass through the needle stem.(yes I unscrewed the valve from the stem)

the inner part just threads out with a stem tool and is easy to replace. If you mean the whole stem assy. there is probably a nut on the inside with a rubber sealing washer and normal washer similar to a truck stem except with the nut on the inside insead of out where it can be seen.

I changed my front tire myself and polished the front rim a while back. I remember looking at the stem and Dog's right there is a nut of sorts in there. I don't remember for sure but I think I remember it not being your ordinary nut. As in you may need a special wrench or improvise with a handy pair of vise grips maybe.

Yup. I have a bent SM front rim sitting in my garage, so I went out and took the stem out.

Just a 12mm hex socket is all you need to remove it.
Rubber face seal type o-ring.
Took the Schrader valve out, nothing else there.

That 90-degree valve stem is fine on the front wheel, but is such a PITA on the rear wheel. If, and when, I get my tires changed out, I'm going to have the rear stem reversed to the right side of the bike, and have the front stem reversed to the left for balance. Having the rear stem pointing to the right side would make for easier access when checking/filling tire pressures.

Turns out my leak was coming from a faulty needle valve. After I screwed in a new one (10cents), the leak was no more