Fenders help inflating

[guy234]

I have these fenders but cannot work out how to get to the valve to inflate them. They seem to have valve plugs but they are flush with no way of gripping them, no recess to unscrew with etc. I have tried prising out plug with a sharp screwdriver but it just damages plug/fender and still didn’t come out.

 

[V1701]

Maybe try to gouge a slot in the cap so you can see if they screw out? Some fenders are nigh on impossible to reinflate...

 

[Mistroma]

Maybe try to gouge a slot in the cap so you can see if they screw out? Some fenders are nigh on impossible to reinflate...

Yes, looks as if screw head has sheared off. Pictures aren't clear enough to be certain. Good chance they are seized and head snapped off in the distant past. Dribbling hot soapy water might help to loosen but will also soften the screw and damage any newly cut slot. Heads you win, tails you lose. Worth trying and you could use an ice cube to cool the slotted part.

 

[Boathook]

I've seen some fenders where the plug is stuck in after inflation, so the smallest leak means binning them.

 

[rogerthebodger]

I've seen some fenders where the plug is stuck in after inflation, so the smallest leak means binning them.

I have a number of fenders like that and I am drilling the plug out and replacing with a tubeless tire valve glued in with PVC weld.

I have also repaired fenders that have a leak other than the valve with a small piece of 0.5 to 1 mm thick PVC sheet glued on with PVC weld.

The trick is to leave the repair for at least a week to allow the glue to fully harden

Old tire valves come from tyre fitters for free