Easier tire changing by hand forks only

[Bigbill]

Years ago I would cut 2x4's to put in the bead to spread the closed up beads so the tire would go on the rim and leave me plenty of spread to get the tube and rim locks in. Plus closing up the last bead is easier too. The tube can be a wrestling match trying to install it with the beads closed up.

I had a idea today. A light bulb moment. I have many rear tires to assemble. I need two dozen wooden blocks. I inflated the new tube a tad so it would stay inside the tire. Once installed I inflated the tube till I had the desired opening between the two beads.

Tires can be a pia when your new at it. Some of these better quality tires are tough to work with. Your lucky your not changing Swedish trellborgs I was first weened on those.

 

[wrx]

I always thought they were called tire SPOONS !

 

[Bigbill]

Spoons I was having brain fade. Thanks, tire spoons, tire irons,,,,,,,,sorry

 

[Bigbill]

I have one of those newer manual car tire changing machine. With the atv / small tractor tire attachment. I need to get the motorcycle tire adapter-attachment and a static tire balancer with a spoke /rim truer.

I started out working in a gas station as a kid changing tires by hand. That feels like it was in another life.

My problem is my son took his ninja rear tire to a local Harley shop to have it changed. First they put the tire on backwards directional arrow wise. They static balanced it with weights. They turned the tire around and put those balance beads inside the tire, what ever you call them. Now the rear tire vibrates. Dad was always making the runs to get tires changed. I can't do it anymore being disabled there's no tire rack on my herby(walker).

 

[Bigbill]

Now when mounting tires. I dismount the old tire and tube. I let the air out of the tube that's spreading the tire beads. Put baby powder inside the tire and on the tube. I remove the rubber band that covers the rim spokes. I wrap the space were the spokes are with duct tape. Then I cut the holes for the air valve and rim locks. I put tire changer lube on the tire beads. Check the side wall of the tire for a directional arrow. The install the first bead to the rim. Install the tube, the two rim locks and put on the last bead starting away from the rim locks, the tire should slip in under the rim locks as we go.

 

[juicypips]

Yup that sounds like the usual deal big bill.
Changing car tyres by hand!, omg. That must of sucked!!!

 

[Bigbill]

I earned my tire changing wings removing the old trellborgs that were cement hard. What a bear to remove thirty year old tires. Now the tires and rim assemblies I have are much older this is gonna be fun too.

 

[suprize]

my old man used to do car tyres while punters waited years ago....then he had to do a ford safety rim no one told him.....

 

[Cosmokenney]

Now when mounting tires. I dismount the old tire and tube. I let the air out of the tube that's spreading the tire beads. Put baby powder inside the tire and on the tube. I remove the rubber band that covers the rim spokes. I wrap the space were the spokes are with duct tape. Then I cut the holes for the air valve and rim locks. I put tire changer lube on the tire beads. Check the side wall of the tire for a directional arrow. The install the first bead to the rim. Install the tube, the two rim locks and put on the last bead starting away from the rim locks, the tire should slip in under the rim locks as we go.

Same here when working with tubes. Especially the baby powder part. Only difference is on the first and second bead I start as much of the bead as I can with the bead lock in the middle. Try to get as much bead on by hand on the opposite side of the lock from where I'll be prying, that way I finish prying the last bit of the tire on with the rim lock at about the 3 o'clock position or 90 degrees from where I finish. I've also switched over to WD40 Specialist Silicon (black and yellow can) instead of any kind of tire specific lube.
I actually used the WD40 silicone to mount my 235/75R16 General Grabber AT tires for my Subaru by hand. Super easy. In fact, what I learned from MC tires crossed over. The positioning of the TPMS sensor, is similar to the rim lock. ;-)

 

[Bigbill]

Those old split rims on the old pickup and one ton trucks were a bear. I seen a split ring get imbedded in the ceiling. Now they use a cage.

 

[fran...k.]

I never have seen a need to use blocks as described in post 1 for a rear tire. Push as much of the bead into the deeper center section as possible. I have done a few hay wagon tires lately, they are essentially car tires when 15 inch was common. They seem a bit easier than knobby dirt bike tires, though breaking the bead down I use a different tactic.

 

[Bigbill]

When the beads are close together when the tire is sitting for a longtime it's hard on the hands to mount the tire. I open the beads by separating them with blocks. Let the tire sit and form to the opening. I let it sit even a week. Now I use the tube to open the tire up to my desired with. This was there's room to install the rim locks and tube. Closing up the tire is easy too. I don't fight with the tight smaller opening of the tire.

I just mounted a IRC 510-17 ve33 vulcanduro rear tire I believe it's a six ply tire. There tough on my hands I guess my old hands are getting soft in my old age.

 

[suprize]

you know its been a tough gig when you have been in every corner of the shed twice ,swearing and sweating, belting it with rubber mallets etc no skin left on the top of your knuckles and your tyre levers have a 30 degree bend in them

 

[Big Timmy]

I'm with you Bill. I put a good tube inside the new tires I have sitting waiting for the next install and inflate it and just let it sit like that for months. It opens it up so Its easy to get my mousses inside and makes mounting it way easier.

I have a 'Moose Racing" Bib Mousse Tire changer (similar to a Raboconda but 75 bucks less) and I have several curved on one end tire levers. Along with 3 or 4 long tire spoons with aluminum handles. 2 of my best are ZipTy spoons.

This machine does tube tire installs in minutes easy and the bead breaker shoe and built in lever will push off and dismount the tire off the rim very quickly. Or start with a spoon and then use the bead breaker lever while rotating the rim and using the lever and it's shoe to help push on a new tire with a tube in it with little or no strain, a few final flips with a spoon to seat the tire near the rimlock to finish and its done.

I have never had to use more than 3 levers or spoons at a given time to do a new Mousse install and its a breeze as well.

 

[Bigbill]

you know its been a tough gig when you have been in every corner of the shed twice ,swearing and sweating, belting it with rubber mallets etc no skin left on the top of your knuckles and your tyre levers have a 30 degree bend in them

You are so right I have two snap on tools dead blow hammers do you think I could find one? My misses found my rubber mallet. My hands are so delicate since I been retired.

 

[suprize]

never bothered with the mousse, only chocolate mousse..yum. but would like to give one a go. just dont ride competitively anymore so hardly worth it. i always change tyres with my bumbag tools so i keep in practise for the bush.