Inner Tubes & Tire Irons

[Bengt_Phorqs]

It's time to gather some of the invaluable knowledge from the gurus on this forum.  My '93 R100GS has a 90/90 x 21 tubeless tire on the front.  The blasted thing won't hold air for any period of time at all.  I'm thinking about installing a tube in it.  Pretty sure that the size would be a 2.75/3.00 x 21.  Does anyone have experience with this fix?  J.C. Whitney has several brands from which to choose from butyl rubber to natural rubber.  I suspect the butyl would be superior but I don't know.

How about a set of tire irons?  Sources, recommendations?  The last time I did this was when I was young, virile, and had a full head of hair but lately I've found it easier to H.I.D.  (hire it done)  That's not always easy to do on the road and besides I don't like the idea of paying someone $40-60 for labor.

[montmil]

For multiple tire iron selections at good prices, check out JC Whitney.
http://www.jcwhitney.com

Also, I bought a 28-inch+ long, slim and chromed iron at Harbor Freight on sale for $2.99. When you need big leverage, bring out this big 'un.

I still have a pair of short irons that came with my 1953 Triumph. Longer is better. Please, guys... no jokes.

Throw a tube in there. Won't hurt. First though, I'd check; 1) The rim's interior for burrs and hickeys, 2) The valve stem. Leaking?

I like saving bucks by DIY'ing but tire changing will test my patience.

Monte

[Justin B.]

I use irons that are about 12" long and the Harbor Freight Motorcycle Tire Changer.  Well, maybe machine is a bit of a stretch, it's just a stand that holds onto the damn thing so you don't have to crawl around on the concrete chasing the stupid thing...

I would try to see where it is leaking and fix that.  I have read that if you put a tube in a tubeless tire you are supposed to drop the tire's rating by one notch.  A tube in the tire causes it to generate more heat/run hotter...

[trolle]

With three children and a wife using bikes for every day commuting one gets a fair share of tire changing through the years - I cannot be bothered and it is the only maintenance job I let my mechanic do. May I never have a puncture.

greetings from a clearing up north

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Already tested for leaks and there are not any to be found.  Had a new valve stem replaced but still the slow leak.  Riding it on a regular basis seems to help but I don't get to ride as much as I would like.  Commuting to Dallas from the western side of the Metromess is challenging enough in a cage.

Checked the JC Whitney site for tire irons but something in my Scottish heritage makes me cringe when it comes to paying almost $20 for a single iron.  I suppose I'll have to do it though.

And I'm like you guys.  I think I'd rather hear from my former spouse's attorney before changing a tire.  As for the roadside assistance that is offered through BMWMOA, my experience with that leaves much to be desired.  When stranded near Brokebike Mountain between Waco and Mexia the last thing I need is to be routed to a very pleasant young lady in Mumbai who thinks that FM 1838 is actually 1838 Market Street.  "You ain't from around here, are you Honey?"

Thanks for the feedback, guys!

[drewboid]

Popular wisdom is that the natural rubber is less likely to rip (blowout) when punctured but is heavier and may need to be topped up with air more often. Also a little more expensive. Pays your money and takes your choice.
As I get older I'm less likely to want to change my own tires - it seems that they are stiffer than they were 30 years ago. I'm also more likely to have the shop balance them which I don't have the tools for.  I do carry tire irons, air pump, and a spare tube in case of trouble on the road.  

[Justin B.]

I'm in agreement with Drew, I also think tires are a lot stiffer than they used to be.

Phorques, if you wanna bring it by I'll show you my technique and let you check out/use the HF tire changer.  You can then make a more informed decision.

[Ed Miller]

You stuck the inflated tire under soapy water and didn't find any leak at all?  That's weird.  My first choice would definitely be to fix the leak and using a tube would be a last resort; those wheels are cool.

I bought a pair of tire irons at the BMW dealer.  They're made in China I think, but they are really well made, about 14" long or so.  I used them the other day to change out the tires on my R65 and they worked well.

By the way, this bead breaker works great:

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Bead-Popper-p-17559.html

It easily broke the beads on my old Spitfires.  

I used my new Harbor Freight balancer to balance the wheels and it worked fine and is easy to use.  Needing an Allen wrench to tighten the set screws is a bit of a pain, but I always have them around anyway.

Unfortunately one of my brake pads decided to separate from the steel backing plate and fall out when I removed the front tire, so I can't test ride the new tires yet.  I'm waiting for new brake pads.  

[Bob_Roller]

I personally have not changed a tire on any of my bikes so far.

One of those things I need to get comfortable with.

I've seen plastic, or nylon rim protectors that go between the tire iron and the metal rim, anyone have any experience with this yet ?

Ed, what brand of brake pads are going to install ?

[Bengt_Phorqs]

You stuck the inflated tire under soapy water and didn't find any leak at all?That's weird.My first choice would definitely be to fix the leak and using a tube would be a last resort; those wheels are cool.

Ed, I watched the guy do it at the shop when he installed the new valve stem.  Nary a leak or a bubble, and it's a new tire.  Before going to all of the trouble I will of course give the tire another microscopic check for holes.  Wonder if SLIME'ing the tire would have any effect?  I carry some in my tool kit but have never used it on anything before.

[mendozeal]

I dont have much perspective here, and I am tring to figure out myself, if I have a tire, valve stem, or tire tube (calling PO!) problem, leaning twords valve stem....
(can anybody recommend where to order a quality valve stem?)

anywho...

Wonder if SLIME'ing the tire would have any effect?I carry some in my tool kit but have never used it on anything before.  

I know that it says right on the can of slime and similar products NOT to be used on any two wheeled vehicle. as it can cause a dangerous imbalance.  

[k_enn]

I dont have much perspective here, and I am tring to figure out myself, if I have a tire, valve stem, or tire tube (calling PO!) problem, leaning twords valve stem....
(can anybody recommend where to order a quality valve stem?)
 

Two points. One, if you have an R65, you should be running tubes in your tire.  (I know, some people run tubeless, but I think that is just too risky on a two wheeled vehicle).  Two, look at your inflation valve. If it has threads and/or a nut on it, you have tubes in the wheel.  If it looks like a stem on a modern car, you most likely do not have a tube.  The thread on that valve is to hold the tube in place when mounting the tire and tube.  If you have a tube and are losing air at the valve, replace the tube.  (If losing air elsewhere with a tube, you can patch the tube -- but if it were my ass riding that bike I would replace the tube as soon as reasonably feasible).  If you do not have a tube, I would recommend getting one.

k_enn