Easy way to install a tire on a rim

[crackerman]

I just use spoons and cut up a plastic bottle to put between the rim and tire so the spoons don't scratch the rim. Usually doesn't take long.

I've used this method when I need to break the bead. Sometime you can just jump on the tire, but if not this works well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNrhMUPxI3o

 

[Seaking]

Have any of you tried the Ride On Tire Balancer and Sealant Gel yet? I've been using it on my bikes for over a year now and for my needs, it works quite well.. Unlike the green slime, this product sticks to the inside of the tire at the contact patch area, levels itself out after the first ride and balances the tire out nicely, with or without balancing weights.

Dyna beads and green slime stuff usually gets you a dirty look from the mechanic who does your tire changing, but this stuff sticks to the inside of the tire. So no mess, no fuss. Once you get it in the tire via valve stem, the product does indeed balance the tire nicely at all speeds and I find it absorbs a lot of the little vibes from road irregularities (we have a lot of that around here).. I'm meticulous with my tire pressures, checking them every day I ride and easilly get over 35,000 kms (21,000 miles) before reaching the wear bar indicators on the tires on the touring bike (highway, back roads, city combined).

This stuff works for me quite well.

As always, your opinions and mileage may invariably differ.. (YMMV)

 

[alke46]

Sounds like a good product, who makes it?

Have any of you tried the Ride On Tire Balancer and Sealant Gel yet? I've been using it on my bikes for over a year now and for my needs, it works quite well.. Unlike the green slime, this product sticks to the inside of the tire at the contact patch area, levels itself out after the first ride and balances the tire out nicely, with or without balancing weights.

Dyna beads and green slime stuff usually gets you a dirty look from the mechanic who does your tire changing, but this stuff sticks to the inside of the tire. So no mess, no fuss. Once you get it in the tire via valve stem, the product does indeed balance the tire nicely at all speeds and I find it absorbs a lot of the little vibes from road irregularities (we have a lot of that around here).. I'm meticulous with my tire pressures, checking them every day I ride and easilly get over 35,000 kms (21,000 miles) before reaching the wear bar indicators on the tires on the touring bike (highway, back roads, city combined).

This stuff works for me quite well.

Sounds like a good product, who makes it?

As always, your opinions and mileage may invariably differ.. (YMMV)

 

[Seaking]

you can find more about it here.. various sites sell it as well.

http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html

 

[alke46]

you can find more about it here.. various sites sell it as well.

http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html

Thanks. I have not heard of this product before. Looks like $14.95 per 8 oz. bottle plus $8 shipping and 2 bottles would be required= nearly $50 per bike. Seems a bit pricey????? I dunno.:?::?:

 

[Seaking]

Thanks. I have not heard of this product before. Looks like $14.95 per 8 oz. bottle plus $8 shipping and 2 bottles would be required= nearly $50 per bike. Seems a bit pricey????? I dunno.:?::?:

Obviously if you shop around you'll find a much better price somewhere. I purchased it at a better price. I have it logged down somewhere for my next tire change.. For the amount of touring I do, I find it well worth the price..

 

[alke46]

Don't want to start a poll here but I wonder how many of our GS family members are using this stuff.

 

[alke46]

Obviously if you shop around you'll find a much better price somewhere. I purchased it at a better price. I have it logged down somewhere for my next tire change.. For the amount of touring I do, I find it well worth the price..

Thanks, I'll shop around for it.

 

[Katarat]

The Harbor Freight motorcycle installer stand works pretty good for me, especially breaking the bead of the old tire. Ill have to try the zip ties, hard to believe its that simple but Ill see.

 

[bluewool]

Anyone think this will work on a 190/50 17 radial dubious.

While I am here could someone recommend a particular brand of tire spoon? My "General Goodtimes" off brand pair folded up like a chinese lawn furniture... Perhaps it was operator error..

 

[bwringer]

Anyone think this will work on a 190/50 17 radial dubious.

While I am here could someone recommend a particular brand of tire spoon? My "General Goodtimes" off brand pair folded up like a chinese lawn furniture... Perhaps it was operator error..

You'd need some really long zip-ties. Or lots of shorter ones.

Thing is, really wide tires are sooooooooooooooo easy to spoon on. Zip-tie tire mounting just seems really silly, unless you're somehow stuck somewhere where you have the need to mount a tire, no tire irons, and a goodly supply of zip-ties.


Anyhoo, Motion Pro tar arns are that which you seek. They're sold absolutely everywhere that deals with dirt bikes. Get one long one and two short ones. Make sure you get forged levers, not the stamped steel cheapies you've already encountered. This looks like a nice set: http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/726/17139/Motion-Pro-Assorted-Tire-Irons?term=tire irons

There are other good brands, of course -- the "Tusk" brand from RockyMountainATVMC.com is excellent as well. I carry three of these "Ultra Lite" tire irons on the KLR650, and yes, I've changed a tube on the trail with no trouble.
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/726/3153/Tusk-Ultra-Lite-Tire-Iron?term=tire irons



One trick for breaking beads that more people should know about: all you need are three small tire irons. Deflate the tire, lay the wheel down, then insert two tire irons between the tire and the rim with about two inches of space between and the "hook" at the tip facing up. Insert the third tire iron in the middle with the "hook" facing down (into the tire).

Push the two tire irons down with one hand, and pull the middle tire iron up with your other hand. With a little wiggling, you'll start to push the bead down. If it won't go all the way, move the arrangement an inch or so and work the bead loose a little at a time.

This will break the roughest, toughest bead in under a minute, tubeless or tubed. It's very safe, and done correctly with decent quality tire irons, won't damage the tire or rim. No brute force is needed -- no jumping on the bead, no trying to break the bead with the kickstand, or any other potentially disastrous methods.

 

[bluewool]

You'd need some really long zip-ties. Or lots of shorter ones.

Thing is, really wide tires are sooooooooooooooo easy to spoon on. Zip-tie tire mounting just seems really silly, unless you're somehow stuck somewhere where you have the need to mount a tire, no tire irons, and a goodly supply of zip-ties.


Anyhoo, Motion Pro tar arns are that which you seek. They're sold absolutely everywhere that deals with dirt bikes. Get one long one and two short ones. Make sure you get forged levers, not the stamped steel cheapies you've already encountered. This looks like a nice set: http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/726/17139/Motion-Pro-Assorted-Tire-Irons?term=tire%20irons

There are other good brands, of course -- the "Tusk" brand from RockyMountainATVMC.com is excellent as well. I carry three of these "Ultra Lite" tire irons on the KLR650, and yes, I've changed a tube on the trail with no trouble.
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/726/3153/Tusk-Ultra-Lite-Tire-Iron?term=tire irons



One trick for breaking beads that more people should know about: all you need are three small tire irons. Deflate the tire, lay the wheel down, then insert two tire irons between the tire and the rim with about two inches of space between and the "hook" at the tip facing up. Insert the third tire iron in the middle with the "hook" facing down (into the tire).

Push the two tire irons down with one hand, and pull the middle tire iron up with your other hand. With a little wiggling, you'll start to push the bead down. If it won't go all the way, move the arrangement an inch or so and work the bead loose a little at a time.

This will break the roughest, toughest bead in under a minute, tubeless or tubed. It's very safe, and done correctly with decent quality tire irons, won't damage the tire or rim. No brute force is needed -- no jumping on the bead, no trying to break the bead with the kickstand, or any other potentially disastrous methods.

Thanks bwringer. I haven't changed my own tires in years as a friend has a proper shop machine. However, he does live out in the burbs and it can be inconvenient for both of us. So last summer I tried to squeeze a final trip out of my contis because I couldn't find the time to get out there - I had(still do) a brand new pair of BT's sitting in my garage. -- well about 300km later I walk out of the school house in Wintrop, WA to see some really nice steel cords on my tire... limped to Wenachee- about 80miles of a bit of anxiety to spend about $270 on tire that is mismatched and the wrong size ... . I'm a genius.

 

[Guest]

I prefer the "old fashioned" way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQZM402U2x4

 

[Katarat]

Ive put 16 inch tires on my Harley Fatboy, & 18s & 19s on my Gs1100s with it.

 

[silverhorse47]

To Octain,

re:

"I prefer the old fashioned way."

Me too.

S.

 

[Roland5color]

I agree with Bwringer on how to break beads. Another alternative though is a small tool also made by motion pro. It's a plastic wedge shaped tool with a handle on the end. It's designed so you can hit it on the end of the handle with a dead blow hammer and it forces the plastic wedge between the rim and the bead of the tire thus breaking the bead. I have changed several motorcycle tires in my day and I find my GS1100GL to be the easiest bike yet to change. Another reason I love the old girl so much. Her shoes are cheap and easy to replace.

 

[sharpy]

Lets see, chrome rim, Wide rim, deep dish rim, suitable for 160/180 tyre having a small what looks like 110 or 120 tyre fitted. A child could do that without zip ties. let along a huge alpha male puffing and panting doing it. Like to have seen him seating the bead after they been held in tight.

 

[Gorminrider]

I think you have explained it, sharpy....
Lucky you folks that Can use pull ties, but it ain't me and my bikes.

This is a spare Honda tubeless tire and rim "unstuck" after taking it off and putting back on with irons .... I could not fit pull-ties in there, let alone slip it off or on magically.

 

[1_v8_merc]

**** installing tires, annoying and frustrating, I pay $20, done....
I'd rather do a complete tear-down on my engine....way easier.

 

[tkent02]

Wow, I have never finished a rebuild in ten or fifteen minutes, not even on single cylinder two strokes.