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Author Topic: Changing your own tyres?  (Read 3616 times)

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Changing your own tyres?
« Reply #30 on: August 01, 2008, 07:36:32 PM »
The "trick" that stopped me from pinching so many tubes was to put just a little air in it.  Kind of "puffs" it out and makes it harder to snag with the tire iron...
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Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline beemer

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Re: Changing your own tyres?
« Reply #31 on: August 02, 2008, 08:12:56 PM »
Quote
Well we have 3 active bikes in the family, so lots of changes. Generally, go through one set of tires per bike per year.

It is a good thing to know how to do it, plus carrying the tools in case you get a flat on the road.
I only use the tire irons in the BMW tool kit. A third would be handy at times, but not totally necessary. I don't think you need anything longer, but that is just my view.

The R65 front is the hardest one of all the bikes, just because of narrow cross section which makes it hard to push into the center well.

On the road, and at home I use the centerstand to break the bead. It can be done by one person, but it is a lot easier with two. Take off wheel, STRAP CENTERSTAND,  balance bike and tip it to one side. Have someone slide the wheel under one leg as close to the bead as possible. Stand bike upright. Turn wheel over to do other side if this is for a new tire.

As others have mentioned use lots of lubricant, soapy water, commercial tire slip etc. Push bead into center and start levering at opposite side. Use the flat part of lever, not the cupped end.

When reinstalling, use the cupped part of the lever, and don't allow the lever to go more than 90 degrees to the wheel, ie vertical. It is when you let the lever go past vertical that you can pinch the tube.

Another trick I have found is it helps if you leave the tire out in the sun for half an hour or more before you start, they seat a lot easier if the rubber is warm, than when cold. I have also resorted to a paint remover heat gun to warm up a recalcitrant seating tire.

If this is a new tire/ tube etc. I put the tube in the tire first (lightly pumped up) You can then easily  put the valve stem through the wheel, catch it with a nut, and push the first bead over. With lube, you can almost push a tire on totally by hand. If not just use the lever for the last few inches.

I use a homemade static tire balancer.
That's great advice,thanks. :)
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