MTFCA Forum

Today, I was going to throw in the trash, 5 old, cracked metal and 5 old cracked rubber stemmed 21" tubes. I, also, have 2 tubes that are not cracked and are still holding air. I have no idea how old the lot is, but I suspect even the newest are 60 years old or more. I went ahead and cut the metal valve stems from their tubes, These were original to the tubes. They were not glued on original rubber stem tubes. Are the metal stems or the rubber from the tubes worth saving? I don't need more junk. Also, I have 5 old 21" rubber tire flaps. They, being made out of heavier rubber, are not cracked or damaged. Are they reusable? I have new ones, so I really don't need to reuse these.

Save the stems, washers, and nuts. They can be used again.

The old flaps are good to reuse too.

I reuse older inner tubes too as they are better than new ones. Once they are cracked or start to get gummy, they are no good to reuse.

Hi Terry, Would You be interested in selling Your salvaged tubes and stems w/ hdwre ?

Steve

Those stems look like the later vulcanised-in-place metal stems. If so, they do not have nuts and bridge washers, and cannot be transplanted into another tube.

Allan from down under.

Allan wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 12, 2023 5:52 pm

Those stems look like the later vulcanised-in-place metal stems. If so, they do not have nuts and bridge washers, and cannot be transplanted into another tube.

Allan from down under.

Allan, I have seen metal valve stems on a round rubber base that can be vulcanized to another tube, especially if the other tube had rubber valve stems. These stems were definitely made into the tube, originally. they were not glued or vulcanized on. I don't remember how I came to acquire the metal stem tubes. I know the rubber stemmed tubes came from the 21" Firestones on my 26 Fordor. Because I do not remember where the metal stemmed tubes came from, I also, don't remember if I ever had any hardware for them. All I know is that I DON'T have any hardware for them, now. Just the stems.

Forget those!

Around here, stop at a tire shop and ask if they vulcanise and none do and most have no idea of what your asking. So few tubes are used anymore.

So few tubes are used anymore.

I was in South Bend with a flat, and a kid at the chain tire store told me, "Nobody does tubes anymore." I found a real tire shop, and they vulcanized my tube for the perfect price.

The current metal stems, being embedded in the rubber, have a considerably smaller base than the originals. With that small base, it doesn't back enough rubber for the washer to get a good, air-tight grip. To be reused they would need to be left embedded in enough rubber to be vulcanized onto a new tube.

Terry, it would help a lot if you could show a picture of the underside of those stems. Are they the old clamp on type or the newer vulcanized type. Is there rubber under them or an exposed metal flange?

Replacement rubber stemmed valves these days are all stick-ons, characterised by a softer different coloured layer under the base. These layers are the part which actually bonds with the tube when the correct adhesive is used. I wonder whether heat vulcanising is achievable with modern synthetic rubber tubes. I have seen hot patches used on them but they never seen to "take" like they used to, whereas the stick-on patches work really well.

Allan from down under.

Possible source: Search " Camel hot patch" (Duckduckgo) Look for "Central Supply Company" download PDF

I used to get Victor, Monkey Grip, and Camel hot patches. They worked great and I loved the smoke and odor of the sizzle biscuit.


"Bulk Tube Gum, Repair Gum: Camel offers a wide variety of natural rubber, cord fabric, facing gums, and quick cure gums for heavy-duty users. For more information contact our Customer Service Department. 10-123 Hot Vulcanizinj Patches "Hot Patches" are one of the oldest and most reliable methods of repairing tubes and tires." ......


www.centralsupply.com › amflo › trma.pdf

Humblej wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 13, 2023 12:23 pm

Terry, it would help a lot if you could show a picture of the underside of those stems. Are they the old clamp on type or the newer vulcanized type. Is there rubber under them or an exposed metal flange?

Here you go.

Those are modern stems. Never tried to reuse them.

O.K. Jeff, I'll take your word as more of an expert on tube stems that I am. I just know that they didn't look like the glue on stems that I have seen.

love1913 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 12, 2023 1:20 pm

Hi Terry, Would You be interested in selling Your salvaged tubes and stems w/ hdwre ?

Steve

Steve, You can have the stems for the shipping by USPS Priority Mail small flat rat box, if you want them. I have only the stems, no other hardware.

love1913 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 12, 2023 1:20 pm

Hi Terry, Would You be interested in selling Your salvaged tubes and stems w/ hdwre ?

Steve

Steve, are you still interested in my used metal valve stems? Just the stems; no hardware available. They can be yours (or someone else's if you don't want them) for the price of a small flat rate Priority Mail box, usually under $10.00.

Brass stems going in trash if nobody wants them.

Over here, brass goes in the non-ferrous scrap. It is worth recycling.

Allan from down under.

Allan wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:55 am

Over here, brass goes in the non-ferrous scrap. It is worth recycling.

Allan from down under.

Yes, If I had a lot of brass or even one brass carb or radiator, it would be worth a trip to the metal recycler, but for four or five valve stems are not worth it. Last time I two two or three big heavy Stromberg carbs. Got maybe $25.00 for the lot. The trash man will pick them up with my regular garbage pickup.

That's the idea Steve. I have a collection of 4 gallon drums with half the top cut off, leaving the handle in place to tote them. Brass in one, copper in another, extruded aluminium in another, and one for electrical wiring. My son brings home stuff from his work installing solar systems. Lots of good clean copper wire and extruded alloy in the burnt-out inverters. Our state leads Australia in container deposits on drink cans/bottles/cartons so they all go to the same place for recycling. Henrietta's best load netted $187.00!

Allan from down under.