Changing tyres (tires)

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bakey01

Joined Jul 2003

29 Posts | 0+

Chester, UK

Discussion Starter
• Jan 7, 2005

• #1

Happy New Year all

I need to change the rear tyre, not having done this before, I'd welcome a spot of advice or direction to a useful guide.

Thanks for your help

Bakey

 

M

mikst

Joined Sep 2002

323 Posts | 3+

Sweden

• Jan 7, 2005

• #2

Some hints: Hint 1
Hint 2

 

cookeye

Joined Sep 2004

72 Posts | 0+

suffolk

• Jan 11, 2005

• #3

Well i have been a tyre fitter for about 25 years, and i think tip 1 on the above thread has to be the best and easeyest to follow instructions for the dirt biker i have ever read, well done who ever wrote it and thanks for posting it for our members.
I feel i can add one thing to it and that is if you change your rim tape [band] for electrical tape change it for new tape every six months or so as it has a tendencey to go hard and cut the tubes and we don't want to bring on tyre changes that can be avoided.
cookeye
:wink:

 

Mackberg

Joined Dec 2003

169 Posts | 0+

Rockford, Il.

• Jan 11, 2005

• #4

My first question to Bakey01 is; If you've never change a tire do you know how to remove one from your bike? Second; Do you have the tools required as shown in the two Hint procedures so kindly donated to the site by Mr. Mikst? I doubt you do if you have no experience changing tires! Is this a must do for you? A challenge you wish to conquer? A dirt bike ritual you wish to surpass to gain admiration from your fellow do-it-yourself dirt bike comrades? Or do you have tons of time on you hands with nothing else to do?
May I suggest an alternative procedure? Remove the wheel if you can or transport the whole bike to the nearest bike shop and let them unmount and remount the tire. They are already experienced and have all the tools and equipment necessary to perform the task.
If you elect not to follow the alternative procedure I wish you luck. You are going to a zone I wish to no man, friend or enemy.

Good Luck,

Mackberg

 

husabutt

Joined Feb 2003

3K Posts | 384+

Escondido, Ca. USA

• Jan 11, 2005

• #5

cookeye said:

I feel i can add one thing to it and that is if you change your rim tape [band] for electrical tape change

Click to expand...

I once used automotive masking tape instead of the rubber band that covers the spokes. About a year later when I replaced the tire I could not believe the damage to the rim from the tape adhesive. I have not heard of this happening with electrical tape.

 

R

risky1

Joined Sep 2004

1K Posts | 1+

Clovis, CA USA!

• Jan 11, 2005

• #6

Being a fairly new dirt bike rider, I have yet to have the experience of "having" to change a tire on the trail - BUT it was one of the first things i learned when i started riding so i would be prepared. I have changed a few in the garage just for... um... fun?... I also invested 25 bucks into a small tire patch kit with plugs and a CO2 inflator that i take with me. The weekend after i bought this kit my buddy and i went to clear creek riding- when we arrived i heard a little hissing sound coming from one of my buddies truck tires, sure enough a screw in the tread- well luck would have it that he did not have a spare under the truck.(unusual for him to not be prepared) i quickly whipped out the plug kit and shoved one in the hole- before to much air leaked out. viola problem solved....

Learn to change a tire, bring along a patch kit and or a spare tube, or be prepared to walk at some point in your dirt bike adventure laden life....

 

Ammo

Joined Oct 2004

39 Posts | 0+

Southwest Corner of Iowa

• Jan 11, 2005

• #7

screw taking it to the dealership and blowing the $$.

save the $$ that the shop normally charges for the mounting as well as the difference you can save by mail ordering your rubber,

its not a big deal and once you've done a few of them, you'll wonder why you ever paid anyone to do it in the first place.

of course, if you are near me and don't want to go through all the trouble, stop by, I'll be glad to mount them up for a small fee

:wink:

 

Mackberg

Joined Dec 2003

169 Posts | 0+

Rockford, Il.

• Jan 11, 2005

• #8

I think you missed the point Mr. Ammo!!!

 

nsman

Joined Oct 2004

1K Posts | 14+

nova scotia

• Jan 11, 2005

• #9

I as well have been in the m/c business for many years and have changed countless tires.The tips are excellent,my only addition might be that if you find the job difficult you are doing something wrong.In the end its all technique.It is very important to always keep the sprocket side away from you to avoid potential injury if your hand slips. Also wear gloves.Practice at home so when you are in a situation away from your garage that you need to repair a tire its no big problem.

 

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bakey01

Joined Jul 2003

29 Posts | 0+

Chester, UK

Discussion Starter
• Jan 12, 2005

• #10

Many thanks for all your advice - the links provided by mikst were really useful, cheers.

I guess with anything in life my maxim is 'try and do stuff you can't quite do' and learn that way. It would undoubtedly be easier (and less time consuming) to pop along to the nearest tyre depot, pay them a tenner and have the job done in ten minutes, but that to me misses the point.

On a practical note: I managed to get the old tyre off last night, without catapulting any of the levers through the kids (who had come to watch the fun; it being a quiet TV night!). The point about getting the bead in the spoke well was vital although having two rim locks kind of tightened things up a bit. New tyre and tube on tonight.....................

All the best

 

Ammo

Joined Oct 2004

39 Posts | 0+

Southwest Corner of Iowa

• Jan 12, 2005

• #11

oh yes, dual bead locks SUCK

after you do that a few times, you'll be able to do single ones without even trying. Your mates will be lining up to have you 'show them how' (as in 'will you change this for me?')

 

Mackberg

Joined Dec 2003

169 Posts | 0+

Rockford, Il.

• Jan 12, 2005

• #12

Go for it Bakey01. Be patient and deliberate. Good job with removal. On reassembly try storing the new tire in a warm area to get it as soft as possible. The hotter the better for flexibility. Use baby powder on the inner tube prior to installing. This lets it move around easily in the carcass of the tire.
A believer in Higher Education,

Mackberg

 

M

mikst

Joined Sep 2002

323 Posts | 3+

Sweden

• Jan 12, 2005

• #13

I have fitted the rim lock afterwards. I have small hands so it's okay but the front wheel could be a little tricky.

 

B

bakey01

Joined Jul 2003

29 Posts | 0+

Chester, UK

Discussion Starter
• Jan 13, 2005

• #14

Well it's on, pumped up and airtight (so far!)

For a spot of knowledge sharing, as an abject amateur, the following might be useful:

(i) have three tyre levers - two long ones and one shorter one. Don't be afraid of using a fair bit of pressure when levering off - be careful when remounting the tyre that the lever(s) doesn't snag the tube

(ii) it helped a lot to have the tyre warm (I placed it in front of a halogen heater for a while)

(iii) use lots of lube when remounting the tyre - I used washing up liquid - it not only helps the tyre over the rim, but also helps you slide in the tyre levers

(iv) make sure the rim lock is under the tube and on top of the tyre bead, tighten when the tyre is inflated

(v) most of all I've learned not to do it again!, but at least I'm now pretty confident I could change an inner tube in 20-30 mins out on the trail.

Thanks all for your encouragement(!) and wise words!

All the best

 

Ammo

Joined Oct 2004

39 Posts | 0+

Southwest Corner of Iowa

• Jan 13, 2005

• #15

(v) most of all I've learned not to do it again!,


:lol: :lol: :lol: