Are these air pumps any good?

Post by **ruddy** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 3:46 pm

I found this on eBay, and I wondered if anyone on the forum has any experience with them.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 96414&rd=1

Thanks.

Arbreacames · Post by **Arbreacames** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:36 pm

All they are is an $8 pump with the plastic housing removed. They are cheaply built, unreliable and don't last long. However, they are fine to keep under the tank for a road-side emergency here or there. I have seen similar pumps selling for as little as $7 (at Big Lots). You would have to pry off the housing.

Post by **taosports** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:55 pm

Carlos is correct in that it is just a standard inflator stripped of it's plastic cover to save on space. However, IMHO it is not necessarily unreliable. I have one similar that I stripped of plastic and have used it on 3 different occasions during the last four years. It cost less that $15. if I recall and it works great. My only complaint is that it's noisy and gets too hot to touch while operating.

The Ebay seller is offering you a choice of plugs, so if that's worth $39. to you, then go for it. Or, do what I did and customize your own for less than $15.

Paul Mihalka · Post by **Paul Mihalka** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:04 pm

I use the Slime air pump, that is compact, comes with different connections but not with the BMW type, and a nice pouch that holds everything. Many sources, here is one:

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Power ... 947&sr=8-1

Post by **ruddy** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 8:18 pm

Thanks guys. Suspicions confirmed!

Post by **boxermania** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 11:19 pm

Not to upset anyone, but most of these pumps are fairly flimsy, what can you expect for under $20, On the other hand, they are quite handy in the middle of nowhere.

Actually the only expensive item is the BMW plug adaptor ~$9.

Post by **JCsman** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:06 am

Well, I wouldn't want to open a tire store relying on one, but I keep pumps from Wallie World (Wal-Mart) that were about $10 each in two cars and my R1150R.

I've probably used the first one I bought 12 or more times. So far, so good. I've gotten WAY more than my $10 out of it already. The other two have never been used are peace of mind insurance for Judy and my son.

Since I keep mine in the permanently packed case, I had room to leave the plastic on.

Oh yeah, I have the BMW to cigarette lighter converter available to use on the bike. That way I could charge my cell phone or other devices as needed.

Of course I currently have the tank off because my battery was dead.

orbea54 · Post by **orbea54** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:08 am

My personal experience is that I was visitng a ghost town on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains that was 13 miles from the nearest highway with the last 3 miles being dirt. I got a flat after getting to the ghost town. So I plugged the tire, took out a friends similar inexpensive pump and started inflating. After about 4 minutes the pumped fried itself from the heat it generated. You can imagine the feeling I got when the pump died. Out came the Cyclepump from the tour guide and I was back up to 40 psi in about 3 minutes. I now own a Cyclepump. Yes, Cyclepump is expensive but cheaper than going to get a tow truck or to have to leave my bike. Its bulky, but I carry it all the time in my tank bag.

RRDallas · Post by **RRDallas** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:13 am

I just bought a Slime sport pump about two weeks ago and have used it twice. My local BMW repair shop is building me a plug to use it with the accesory socket on my RR. But I have used it while plugged into my truck's lighter socket, and also connected it to my Yamaha 650's battery. Works fine. Haven't had to seriously fill up any tires because I pretty much check/fill every time I ride. But the Slime pump is more convenient than going to a gas station.

Post by **mcollect** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:58 am

I am still carrying an Airman Sparrow. It has worked to keep my tires at the proper level for two years. I even used it to fix a flat on my car. I would like something to carry that is faster but haven't found one yet. Ideas?

Trout · Post by **Trout** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:40 pm

I got the exact same thing at Wal Mart for $9.99. They have similar compressors at Auto Supply stores, Farm stores, K Mart, etc. I've seen them all over the place. No matter the brand, open the plastic case and you'll find the exact same hardware inside. I'm sure they all come out of the exact same Chinese factory.

You can get a "special" BMW outlet plug at your dealer and attach it yourself, or you can save some cash and just use the battery charger flat twin plug. Here's the article on how to make your own:

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/features/Mini ... ressor.pdf

Post by **CycleRob** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:57 am

I got this little jewel at a nearby Harbor Freight store for $10. A few years later on they went on sale for $6 and I bought 2 more of them. Pretty cool. The cig lighter plug and wire stores inside the big bulge.

Here's the descriptive link:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=4077

There's a story that goes with it. At the Bash in Marlinton WV I was riding with a small group and Scottybooj was complaining he was having trouble keeping up (or something like that). I noticed the large front tire footprint and sure enough, it was at 25 psi, causing it to not handle well. We were at a gas station and there was an air vending pump for like 75 cents. I said forget that, we'll use my pump. Well! I get out my little 7(?) year old compressor I've recently been carrying under the fueltank. I plug it into my bike and start pumping up his tire for what seemed like 2 minutes. Unhook the compressor and check the pressure at 24 psi !!! It LOST air!!
Close inspection of the running pump revealed the hose was dry rotted and cracked where it connects to the pump. Couldn't really hear the hissing over the loud racket the pump makes when it's running. Scotty got out the cash for the station's pump and over-pumped up both his tires so we could bleed them down later when the timed pump stopped. I felt pretty bad for letting him down. I couldn't fix the leak by shortening the hose because of the chintzy crushed tin ferrule they use for a clamp. You can see it in the pic above.

Crap!! All that time I carried that pump, never needing it until it mattered. It's a good thing there was air available where I essentially let out 1 psi air of an already too low tire.

After the right tire pressures and I believe adding some more rear preload, Scotty turned into Joe racer. Leading the group later, He was actually scaring me with his riding "too close to the edge". We made it back alive, but it was a little too close for comfort.

When I got home I took it completely apart, down to it's little one ring piston, to inspect, clean & grease the speedy internal workings. Cut the clamp and hose off and reattached it. Works fine now, but it needs a new hose. Just re-reminded me I gotta find one soon, that can handle at least 60 psi. Also, it has to be run checked every so often to ensure it works as advertised.

.

R4R&R · Post by **R4R&R** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 8:06 am

I too have a cheap one I bought at some mart (K-mart, Wal-mart) and stripepd the case off to get a small size, then stowed it under the tank (on top of the airbox).

Thanks for sharing the story with us Rob, I'll check the operation of mine this weekend!

reidmct · Post by **reidmct** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 12:15 pm

To keep things simple, reliable, and compact, I carry a pump like this one:

http://www.sportsauthority.com/sm-schwi ... 23494.html

It stores nicely in my Rockster, beneath the rider's saddle, aft of the fuse box I carry a Stop & Go plug kit next to my tool kit, in the rear storage space.

A manual pump takes more time, but flats are a rare event.