2011 Update: I’m not using this system any more.
30 Nov 2007
SmarTire
I purchased this device after reading about it on several motorcycle lists. I got it now as the manufacturer might be giving up on the motorcycle aspect of their business. Not sure. Aerostich had it in their catalog. I used the “save shipping” excuse to order some other goodies (a Respro Foggy for my Arai helmet), too.
Inside the box (1)
Inside the box (2)
I opened the box and took a look at the instructions. They told me that I didn’t open all of the box, thus the second picture. The straps are what holds the pressure sender to the wheel. I hope to install these next week. I’ll document the installation process as I go.
Installing the front Sensor
It wasn’t raining and it wasn’t too cold. No excuse not to start the installation of the SmarTire. After all, it’s been two months since I bought the kit.
Wheel balance
In theory the valve stem is the heaviest part of a wheel. Right. Notice where the valve stem is when I put my wheel sans tire on a balance stand. My front is lightest at the valve stem, not heaviest.
I checked because I thought I’d mount the SmarTire sensor to get more of a neutral balance. Since I don’t want to mount the sensor at the valve stem I pretty much followed the mounting instructions as to sensor location.
Valve stem bridge
Mounting strap
The metal piece in the first picture is a bridge that goes over the valve stem to stop the sensor mounting strap from blocking air flow. The second picture shows the mounting strap before it was trimmed to size. The instructions call for about 1 inch of strap beyond the worm gear.
Temperature/pressure sensors
Sensor on front wheel
I opened the package that contained the sensor and slid one over the mounting strap for the front wheel. The sensor is a “touch” too wide for the rim. I took a little bit of the plastic off of the sides of the sensor to get it to fit better.
Sensor location decal
Tire mounted and balanced
The kit comes with a warning label to note the location of the sensor. I placed it on the wheel in the appropriate spot them mounted the front tire. It took a little trial and error to figure out the best way to mount the tire without damaging the sensor or having the sensor get in the way. The SmarTire instructions helped, but were written for those using tire change machines.