Due to a persistent slow deflation of my front tyre (had to pump the tyre up every two/three days) I jacked-up the front wheel of my XEvo and lowered it back down into a very large bowl of slightly soapy water - the 'bowl' was actually a large tub the council had given me to recycle paper and cardboard.
I was pretty sure the leak was coming from between the valve stem and the alloy but it was good to confirm that there were no other leaks.
I rode round to my local tyre fitters -
http://www.merityre.co.uk/tyres-littlechalfont.htm who said they'd be more than happy to fit the new valve stem if I could first remove the wheel... aah
Right then, how do you remove the wheel? Thankfully Dave Milnes' instructions
http://www.x9ownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=20345.msg235210#msg235210 are both clear and concise.
The instructions are exactly the same for XEvo as for the X9, except for the bit about the speedo sender - the speedo for the XEvo attaches via the rear wheel.
So, back on the jack, remove wheel,
carry wheel put wheel in car, drive to tyre fitters.
Before he could even finish his ciggie, tyre guy had (partially) removed tyre, removed old valve, applied sealant, fitted new valve, refitted and inflated tyre.
The only snag... when I asked to re-inflate to 2.5 bar he looked at me like I was from another planet - apparently he only works in old money.
And the cost? "Nothing mate, it's only a valve".
Result!
Reverse instructions to re-fit wheel et voilà! Everything fitted back together perfectly and there were no spare screws left over
A big thank you to Mr Milnes and the X9OC, without whom none of this would have been possible.
