Total newb question...motorcycle tires with air compressor

[Cafe Customs]

Ok so i just purchased a cheap 3 gal air compressor from hf just to fill up tires and blow gun occasionally. So when filling up a tire do I just turn the regulator to max (90 psi) or do i set it to the amount that the tire should be at? This feels like a dumb question and max would be fine, but I'd rather get it right the first time. Thanks

 

[krusty the clown]

i would leave it a max and use a tire guage

 

[garfunkle24]

i would leave it a max and use a tire guage

I'm with Krusty. Course, with a tire that small you'll have to go over and then dump a few lbs (unless you have frickin quick hands).

 

[goodfellow]

Make sure you get a quality tire guage -- Milton come to mind.

 

[akdiesel]

I thought those little pumps had their regulators set at 135 or 150 psi max.
I agree with the rest and when you get it to the correct pressure test it with your hand grip to see for future reference to fill it up again and you will be in the ball park, but always use a tire gauge.
Every piece of equipment will have a slight + or - reading diference from others on its gauge. There are test gauges but in this case it is not important to get right on the nats *** plus temps will change your air pressure daily.

 

[dwilliams35]

If you don't have it much higher in the compressor, it's going to take you forever to get the last few pounds in the tire. Use a gauge: that regulator is there to protect pressure-rated tools, etc.: filling up tires and blowing off workbenches ain't rocket science.

 

[bomber]

+1 on the advice --

As for the gauge, a good one is useful, no doubt -- you've got your motorcycle tires set properly when the hot pressure is approx 10% higher than cold pressure (3 PSI or so), so consistant is more important that absolute accuracy . . . . . . use the same gauge, and you'll be fine.

 

[dps]

When I'm filling auto tires, the regulator is cranked to about 90-100 for fastest filling/topping. When I'm doing bicycle tires, I adjust it to 65lbs. so I can just pop on the inflater and let it go without worrying that I'll blow the tire, and I can skip the gauge.

 

[Mandres]

I use something like this:

The gauge tells you the pressure in the tire, so just squeeze until it's filled properly.

 

[wrigh003]

I use something like this:

The gauge tells you the pressure in the tire, so just squeeze until it's filled properly.

I have one of those, too. It's great.

Be sure you get the model without the thumbtack in the hose- those ****.

 

[akdiesel]

Thats a nice air gun. Where did you pick it up at?

 

[ironroad 9c1]

Max and a good tire gauge.