VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 1926 inner tube valve stem fitting problem

Sanded and repainted rims, set up to mount tires.
Inner tube valve stem (rubber) too large for rim hole.
Tube size 450-20/21
Rim hole 1/2 inch. Rubber valve stem only goes half way through.
Is this a modern tube situation, do I need to drill the rim stem hole larger? What type of tube should I specify.. got my tire sets from a well known vendor.
Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks CK

Gooday,

I had the same problem when I found a split in my valve tube stem and had to change the tube on my 27.

The new tube I had purchased from a reputable supplier as a spare also had a valve stem which was thicker than the hole. No doubt a different maker. I just filed out the hole which didn't need too much work and sanded it to take off any sharp edges.

I learnt how valuable a rim spreader was on my split rim whilst taking care not t
overdo it and bugger the rim.

Thanks for your reply, most likely will end up widening the rim holes.
Wanted to know if this is what most everyone is doing now days.

Odd, I just put 2 new 525/21 on the rear of my 28, with new tubes and not had this problem even after i had the rims galvanised, did you specify long stem valve? RAY

Did not specify long stem valves but tubes were matched to the tires ordered,tire size 4.40/4.50-21. The stem looks "long" to me.
thanks

Calvin K,

I checked my records of when I changed the tube which had the thicker valve stem and the tube was made in Mexico, so I don't know whether that maker is producing a thicker stem. Interesting to see where your tube is made.

Bob