Vintage Schrader Inner Tube Valve Stems

[wallaman]

Bought some of these from Clete when he was still Old Dude years ago. They screw right on top of a standard "modern" 5/16" metal valve stem to make it look like the teens through 50's era larger diameter (~3/8" diameter) valve stems that used to come on inner tubes back then. I need a a few more and can't find them anywhere. Just left a message for Ron at what is now Old Dude, but haven't heard back yet. Anybody know where to find them?
Thanks.
Chuck S. (Wallaman!)

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[ammorest]

Strange Bird Mfg. shows them in his catalog. $45.00 440-945-6829
Dave

[wallaman]

Dave,
Appreciated! I don't think I have a catalog from Billy, and never thought to ask him. Will pick up the phone and get them on order!
Thanks.

[ammorest]

Chuck, pretty sure the only catalog Billy has is online on his website.
Dave

[wallaman]

Dave,
Thanks! Found them!
Appreciated.
Chuck S.

[BillyBalcer]

Thanks guys. They are listed on my website. Plenty in stock ready to ship.

Billy Balcer
AMCA 4040
Strange Bird Manufacturing- Owner

https://www.StrangeBirdMFG.com

Lake Erie Chapter - President - Over 450 members and growing

https://www.LakeErieAMCA.org

[exeric]

I have a set of those Schrader valves on my '19 Hen, very nice. However, I was told they are not correct for that vintage motorcycle. . . Okay, I really don't care because I love the way they look but does anyone know the time period of their use?

[wallaman]

Eric,
Once I started down this rabbit hole... Found some old inner tubes that came out of a couple of early bikes I've had (Thor's and Harleys - preteen and teen). They had Firestone inner tubes with the large stems in them. The actual diameter and thread pitch is a bastard size, just a bit bigger than 3/8". The "nuts" holding the stem to the rim are actually a brass sheet stamped over a steel body with the name Schrader stamped into the top of them. Last, the stems appear to be "bare" brass with no signs of nickel plating on them. The pics below are of the these stems after I cut them out of their tubes and cut the very bottoms of them off that were vulcanized into the tube. I also found some later Firestone tubes that I'm pretty sure came out of an early '50s K Model that also had the the large stems but did show some signs of having been nickel plated but with cad plated brass/steel nuts. Take what you will from that, but for our restorations, Billy's (Strange Bird Mfg) stems are about as close as you will get to what I believe is correct for the Teens through 50's eras. If other folks have other info, I'd love to hear it... Will post some additional pics later once I have a chance to take them.

Chuck S. (Wallaman)


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[exeric]

Great information, Chuck and I agree that Strange Bird's reproductions are as good as you can find next to originals. Now I can sneer at the next guy that says those valve stems are not correct !

[Rubone]

I still have several original tubes that came in H-D Lighweights of the late '40s early '50s with large stem tubes. Still holding air too!

[T. Cotten]

Can anyone identify the valves in theses pics, Folks?

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Thanks in advance,

....Cotten

[wallaman]

Robbie,
Curious if the stems on your tubes are nickel plated or bare brass? Cotton's examples look like they are nickel plated although I haven't a clue what they would have been used for...

Spent a bit more time messing with the ones I have. Picked up a 5/16-32 tap (modern stem thread size), chucked the original stems in the lathe, etc... Got some better pics (still not great), particularly of the nuts, when when I was done. Maybe picked up an 1/8 of point here... LOL! Will be using Billy's reproductions on my later bikes, but just felt compelled to use these for my '15.


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[T. Cotten]

... Cotton's examples look like they are nickel plated ...

Only the caps are nickel, Chuck,

The curious loose double diamond washers at the bottom make me think they were for a tubeless design; The range of Schrader products is boggling.

....Cotten

[Rubone]

This guy is claiming wooden wheel bicycle stems...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/15304515200...Bk9SR7bg-9isaA

[wallaman]

Robbie,
Nice find on the bicycle stems... bought a couple just to get the brass caps Also, forgot I had an old wooden rim bicycle hanging from the rafters. Tires were flat and rock hard when I bought it 30 years ago but it looks like it does have Schrader stems in it based on the valve caps...

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