Jeff Leites

I just made a new leather diaphragm for the pump because I thought air was leaking around it. But I still have the same problem. I won’t pump more that a few pounds. I checked the hose and can’t find where the air is leaking from. This pump has the small air reservoir tank between the pump and the hose. When I attach the hose to a nearly full tire, the tire does not empty, so I don’t think the problem can be between the tire valve and the reservoir. I don’t know what else to look for. Maybe it’s just time for a new pump.

HillRider

I believe you have the Schwinn version of the Meidai Top pump also sold under the Cyclepro brand name. These were one of the best pumps ever made and right up there with the Silca Track pump. Unfortunately they are long out of production and spare parts are hard to impossible to find.

Two suggestions for your problems:

1. Did you grease the new washer and is it a good fit in the barrel? OEM washers are almost unavailable so you have to do a careful job of duplicating it. Is the barrel itself smooth and rust free?

2. Since the air doesn't flow backwards, the check valve in the base should be ok but look at it anyway. If the ball is dirty or the seat is sticky, the pump won't work.

If none of this solves the problem, play taps over it and lay it to rest with full honors.

Jeff Leites

Sorry, I now have two threads going on this, because I fist thought the problem was the leather piece, and I had started a thread looking for help finding leather to make a new one.

As I reported back in the other thread, it turns out that the problem was a hole in the hose after all. Now I'm going to have to search for a new hose that fits the pump. I've fixed the hose once before, and it's getting to be a bit short.

HillRider

Auto Parts stores or Industrial Supply shops sell "compressor hose" by the foot. Get a 3' section of 1/4" (ID) hose and two small adjustable hose clamps and replace the entire stock hose. I did that on my Meidai Top years ago and it works just fine. Compressor hose is much stronger than the stock hose.

Jeff Leites

Would they have the connector to attach the hose to the pump?

HillRider

Sure. Use a small stainless steel "radiator clamp" at each end. These are available at any auto parts, industrial supply and hardware store. The pump body and the inflator head will both have a "hose barb" that fits into the tubing and the clamps secure the hose over these barbs.

Jeff Leites

I went Pep Boys, and found some rubber tubing, but it was $4 to $5 a foot! I then went to a bike shop that I hadn't checked yet, and they had a complete replacement hose for about $9. That's what I got, and the pump is good as new. Thanks for the tips.

HillRider

That sounds high for small diameter compressor hose but it isn't really cheap anywhere. However, it is very strong and super durable.

I assume the LBS's hose assembly was from another make pump as the Meidai pumps have been out of production for many years (boo!). That said, if it fits and works, great.