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As an instrument technician by trade I have checked the calibration on my cheap analog bike master gauge against a 3051 and it was about a .5 PSI off on each end of the range. The direct middle of the range (15 psi) it was closer to .2 off. 99 percent of us surely cannot feel that. Also the dead weight testing gauge example of 20K psi is extreme. In the real world you would use a gauge within the range you are measuring, +/-0.02% of a 15 psi test gauge would equal +/- 0.003psi. Accuracy to our company is everything, but shit at the end of the day we're just boiling oil.
I have one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016R9KKCU
that I've pulled the gauge off of and replaced with one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0087UY60K
Pretty good accuracy. 0-15 psi for excellent resolution. Analog gauge for ease of use (digital is hard to adjust as the readout doesn't change while releasing air).
Overall a great gauge and inexpensive. You just have to be careful to close off the air valve when you're done using it or it will leak glycerin all over your toolbox... If anyone knows of a comparable, glycerin filled gauge, that has a better seal for equalizing pressure, I'd be interested.
An incline manometer would be our best bet, but they are not field worthy and we are not splitting hairs here. Maybe factory teams, drag racers and sprint racers are bumping their gauges against a NIST traceable standard reference such as a manometer or a low range dead weight tester. The 20k psi one above would not be the reference of choice for something in the <20 psi range.
I use a digital from Cycle Gear, cash register impulse buy zone, and run 12.5 psi and never bump test it. Is what it is…
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I compared 5 or 6 of the gauges I have currently and they were all over the place on pressure readings.
When my wife hears his voice, she literally runs from the room. hahaha
I use my Milwaukee M12 Inflator at the track and this in the shop. I've replaced the braided hose with a Flexila hose with a 90-degree chuck. I'm considering getting a on board compressor for my truck which would be ideal.
Amazon.com: Astro Pneumatic Tool 3018 3.5" Digital Tire Inflator with Hose : Automotive
I thought I was the only one. Still have a couple of those that came with 78-80 YZ80-100's. They still seem pretty accurate too.
I second the Jaco. Seems the best bang for the buck I've used. Maybe an expert could opine on this, but I've read that you want a gauge with a range where the usual pressure you're using falls in the middle of that gauge's range. In other words, for our dirt bikes a 0-30 psi range gauge with a mid-point of 15 would best suit our usual pressures of 12-14 psi. I've had two analog 0-15 gauges that broke because I often put the tires over 15 with a blind tire pump.
I love what you did as I'm a big fan of Frankentools, I'd just rather have a 0-20 psi gauge.
This the absolute best one. Used in the dirt track world where tire pressure is very important.
That's generally true, but the 0-30 gauge is the same size as the 0-15, so you lose resolution (ability to read the actual pressure) the bigger the range. I'd argue that the slight drop in accuracy using the end of the 0-15 scale is more than offset by the increase in resolution.
Same, but they didn't have a 0-20 gauge. Next step up was 0-30.
https://longacreracing.com/collections/tire-pressure-gauges?gad_source=…
My wife likes watching some of the reviews, I like his approach to testing.
I'm on my 2nd one of these, but the 0-30 model. First one went bad and started reading high (tire was 3-4psi lower than gauge showed). I now occasionally check against another gauge to keep track.
Next gauge will be an expensive one... Which is what I should have done already.
Been happy with my Jaco.
Very impressive!!
Pit Row
I've been using this one for years...
I see what you did there.
I have a nice liquid filled one I used when I was road racing but sometimes it's hard to read when it gets condensation inside .lol it is pretty accurate though
https://www.jegs.com/i/JOES-Racing-Products/514/32305/10002/-1
Pretty accurate gages, plus they're not too expensive.
Honestly, all you need is a harbor freight gauge. However if you want a “nice” one, check out: Prisma, Unipro, Alfano, or Intercomp. The KTM boys run intercomp, I’m not really a fan of them though. For how much the motion pro gauge costs I wouldn’t spend the money on it, there are better options for a little more or around the same price.
Im another longacre person. Those things are normally awesome. I have never had an issue with them, always consistent.
Ill also second the old advice from the dirt track guy. Just use the same gauge always. Don't drop it or treat it poorly, and it will be the constant. Adjust slightly as needed.
My WP fork pump reads the same as both of my friends' Motion Pro digital gauges back to back.
Who gives a flying patootie what the actual pressure is. Run the same tires you always do, or when changing tires, test and figure out what pressure works best for YOU and your RIDING. Always use the same gauge - as long as you know it's consistent.
B
But but but but Bob said he always runs 7.25psi in his tires. Well whoop dee, Bob is 15KG lighter (who knows what freedom units that is, git with the rest of the world dagnabit) and is a smooth rider, you're fatter and a hack, why would you run the same pressure!!!.
Ball park it in, check it, then Test, change down, check it - test it. Change it up, check it - test it
ALWAYS use the same gauge, don't grab Bobs, his reads 2 psi higher than yours, all the time, everytime. Damn Bob!
And remember 10 psi in one tire will no doubt feel different than 10psi in a different type of tire, due to different casings, different rubber.
My knowledge comes from the MTb world, but it's the darn same in the moto world, and in the car world
You must have meant "Bob is lighter by one and a half magazines of 7.62mm FMJs" -Hell Yeah!
We measure in 5.56 or .223 around here. Not that commie 7.62 stuff!
0-30 believer here, the bigger the display the better. Had a liquid filled Intercomp that varied too greatly, replaced with this one and have been happy ever since: www.amazon.com/dp/B07FN4Q22M
I know Motion Pro is 'industry standard', but I've never been a fan of digital gauges and that's the only model I'd consider out of their current catalog...
Slightly off topic because I don't know how accurate the gauge is but this small portable compressor (400 g) is invaluable, especially for off road. Fully inflates tire in a couple of minutes, also comes very handy just to check pressure or adjust it to conditions.
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