Thread: Nitrogen in tires

Yeah, I've got roughly 78% N2 in all my tires.

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Yeah, I've got roughly 78% N2 in all my tires.

20% O2 and 2% other?

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Yeah, I've got roughly 78% N2 in all my tires.

Smart ass. There is that much nitrogen in oxygen.. wow. Might not make the difference I was thinking, other then maybe less water in nitrogen than oxygen?

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Yeah, I've got roughly 78% N2 in all my tires.

That's just mean...


Silver, don't waste your time and ESPECIALLY your money on it. Unless you think your tires have the capacity to burst into flames, encounter temperature extremes in a single day or suffer from a lack of maintenance oversight on your part over the course of months, you'll be blowing money you could spend on suspension upgrades.

As a rider, you're probably OCD over every part of your bike, even when you're not riding it. That, in and of itself, negates the "benefits" of nitrogen. (Unless you happen to have a cheap, portable nitrogen generator. In that case, you'll want to market that thing, because you're an innovator and will make bajillions.)

On the most basic level, since you have a street/track tool, you'll adjust your air pressure so many times in a year, it'll cost you at least $100/yr to keep it right. Even if you had a track only bike, you'd be adjusting on a daily basis and it wouldn't benefit you at all.

Originally Posted by seamus

That's just mean...


Silver, don't waste your time and ESPECIALLY your money on it. Unless you think your tires have the capacity to burst into flames, encounter temperature extremes in a single day or suffer from a lack of maintenance oversight on your part over the course of months, you'll be blowing money you could spend on suspension upgrades.

As a rider, you're probably OCD over every part of your bike, even when you're not riding it. That, in and of itself, negates the "benefits" of nitrogen. (Unless you happen to have a cheap, portable nitrogen generator. In that case, you'll want to market that thing, because you're an innovator and will make bajillions.)

On the most basic level, since you have a street/track tool, you'll adjust your air pressure so many times in a year, it'll cost you at least $100/yr to keep it right. Even if you had a track only bike, you'd be adjusting on a daily basis and it wouldn't benefit you at all.

I was thinking the air gas place sells it, and I have a few welding tanks laying around. Can't be very expensive, but I don't know. My main thought was pressures. I was thinking hot and cold temps didn't change much with nitrogen. Nitrogen doesn't grow with heat like oxygen does it? Just like the rotisserie . ..so "set it and forget it" Not really, but just wondering. As far as tires catching aflame.. future magnisium wheels (nahh )

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Smart ass. There is that much nitrogen in oxygen.. wow. Might not make the difference I was thinking, other then maybe less water in nitrogen than oxygen?

there is no Nitrogen (N2) in Oxygen(O2). and why is there water in your nitrogen and oxygen?

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

there is no Nitrogen (N2) in Oxygen(O2). and why is there water in your nitrogen and oxygen?

there is humitity in oxygen Idonno.. why did ltl say 78% nitrogen in tires? I'm not a scientist Just a guy with too much time on his hands.

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Smart ass. There is that much nitrogen in oxygen.. wow. Might not make the difference I was thinking, other then maybe less water in nitrogen than oxygen?

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

there is humitity in oxygen Idonno.. why did ltl say 78% nitrogen in tires? I'm not a scientist Just a guy with too much time on his hands.

that wife of yours needs to learn you some stuff. humidity is the correct spelling and 78% of air is nitrogen so when you put air in your tires you just put 78% nitrogen in there.


edit:4000th post

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

I was thinking the air gas place sells it, and I have a few welding tanks laying around. Can't be very expensive, but I don't know. My main thought was pressures. I was thinking hot and cold temps didn't change much with nitrogen. Nitrogen doesn't grow with heat like oxygen does it? Just like the rotisserie . ..so "set it and forget it" Not really, but just wondering. As far as tires catching aflame.. future magnisium wheels (nahh )

IMO, the small volume in your tires won't make enough of a difference to offset the convenience cost. I know there's a website where some enginerd went through the details but I didn't save it.

However, if you can get it cheap, go for it. It won't hurt.

Agree with Seamus. Totally not worth it.

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

that wife of yours needs to learn you some stuff. humidity is the correct spelling and 78% of air is nitrogen so when you put air in your tires you just put 78% nitrogen in there.


edit:4000th post

So I originally I was correct then and yes, I am fully aware that I can't spell for however I am still better at it then the Canadians/French Canadians Congrats on the 4000th post however I am almost halfway to you on only been on here for a few months. Maybe I should shut up

Originally Posted by seamus

IMO, the small volume in your tires won't make enough of a difference to offset the convenience cost. I know there's a website where some enginerd went through the details but I didn't save it.

However, if you can get it cheap, go for it. It won't hurt.

It might not. That was really my question anyway. I'll check on the price just to check it off my list of omnipotence

Team Suzuki Endurance used to carry around a bunch of N2 tanks and make a big deal about it. They even told me I couldn't smoke in my garage (they were next door) or it would cause an explosion (actually John Ulrich said that while his crew chief tried his best not to break up laughing).

At any rate even with the tanks in the garage, all the tires were adjusted with the standard air lines from Grattan's compressor because it was way faster and in reality much less of a hassle than fussing with the nitrogen.

Originally Posted by abtech

Team Suzuki Endurance used to carry around a bunch of N2 tanks and make a big deal about it. They even told me I couldn't smoke in my garage (they were next door) or it would cause an explosion (actually John Ulrich said that while his crew chief tried his best not to break up laughing).

At any rate even with the tanks in the garage, all the tires were adjusted with the standard air lines from Grattan's compressor because it was way faster and in reality much less of a hassle than fussing with the nitrogen.

Wow so even the fast guys don't use it aye. I guess that answers it

AIR has water in it, not oxygen.

OK, so now that I'm done being a smartazz, don't mess with it, unless you want to make a project out of it. All of the data your tire vendor provides are pressures they know will go up with temp. If you start changing your tire fill to a gas that won't expand nearly as much with temp, like pure N2, you're going to be off the charts for your tire pressures.

Serious racers do use low expansion gases for tire fills, but I've never seen it in motorcycle racing.

Originally Posted by luvtolean

AIR has water in it, not oxygen.

OK, so now that I'm done being a smartazz, don't mess with it, unless you want to make a project out of it. All of the data your tire vendor provides are pressures they know will go up with temp. If you start changing your tire fill to a gas that won't expand nearly as much with temp, like pure N2, you're going to be off the charts for your tire pressures.

Serious racers do use low expansion gases for tire fills, but I've never seen it in motorcycle racing.

Yeah, I meant the stuff we breathe Sorry, and ok, I won't mess with it

Originally Posted by 08silvercbr

Yeah, I meant the stuff we breathe Sorry, and ok, I won't mess with it

you over think stuff too much

Originally Posted by CBR929RE

you over think stuff too much

I know this, but that is what makes me "special" but once I get through it I'll be better off (or so I'd like to think)

N2 is lame go with Argon

Originally Posted by SheepOfBlue

N2 is lame go with Argon

That would be convenient since I already have it. OR acetylene mixed with pure oxygen might be good too. Static anyone? I mean I know I'll be smokin' but hey why not make a real show out of it.

So for the heck of it I called today to see how hard it was to get it. The welding shops carry it and its 20 bucks for a smaller tank. He said he wasn't sure how many tires it would do, but quite a few since there is like 1000 lbs of pressure in a tank. If anyone was curious there ya go.

You'd also need some sort of vacuum device to suck as much air as possible out of your tires before you start adding. If you just deflate then add the nitrogen you'd still have a lot of volume occupied by air.

Originally Posted by slickwill

You'd also need some sort of vacuum device to suck as much air as possible out of your tires before you start adding. If you just deflate then add the nitrogen you'd still have a lot of volume occupied by air.

That is true. Already thought of it to. I do have automotive ac lines that are the same and could hook it up to the ac machine to vac it out, BUT I'm not going to mess with it. I was just curious. Maybe when I go pro I'll worry about it.

Or you could install a second valve stem...

Or you could change your tires in a nitrogen filled chamber...

Originally Posted by seamus

Or you could change your tires in a nitrogen filled chamber...

While wearing SCUBA gear.

How about getting some really big monster truck style tires and filling them up with Helium? That could be fun...
I nominate my own post for "Smartestest" post of the year.

You need to put that new Shell gasoline in your bike. The stuff enhanced with nitrogen. I hear it's all the rage these days.

I reckon helium filled bubble wrap and padded envelopes are the way forward. That way you can send heavy things in the post cheaper

Originally Posted by Yamasuzi

I reckon helium filled bubble wrap and padded envelopes are the way forward. That way you can send heavy things in the post cheaper

Did you post this in a really high pitched, squeaky voice...