GS650L - grind rim's inner lip down to mount tire?

[Burque73]

Got tired of paying shops so I invested in a few different tools to mount my tires. Watched a ton of YouTube videos as well. The mojolever proved to be the most useful tool for me.

Zip ties, tape, spoons, floor mounted changers, whatever works for one may not for the other. To each their own. Sure is satisfying to get it done yourself though.

A few things I learned and super helpful content from other members are in this thread.

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?251786-Tire-changer

[salty_monk]

Heat is your friend. Cold tyres are much more difficult to mount....

[adamdaz]

For what it's worth, I mounted that same tire on an '81 gs650gl rim this fall without any problems. Did the job myself, so I think that lends support to the bad tire theory. I did both front and back. I also fully understand any hesitancy about replacing it with the same, given one failure. Kinda leaves a bad taste.

[sacruickshank]

Heat is your friend. Cold tyres are much more difficult to mount....

Agreed. When I tried the duct tape method I heated up the tire over my space heater for a few hours. Will do the same for the next attempt with the new tire spoons, and RU glyde.

[Maddevill]

In a few decades of changing many many motorcycle tires by hand, I've had exactly one defective tire. It mounted OK, but the wires in the bead were twisted and it would not seal. The retailer was quite gracious about replacing it once I managed to get a picture that showed the problem (it's hard to take a picture of a defect in a matte black object).

Anyway, either the tire is defective and/or the installer is an idiot. It's dead certain that the latter is true: the installer is a dangerous idiot. However, both could be true as well; the tire could be defective.

I think the big danger here is that the nitwit "mekanik" has damaged the tire, so there may be no way of determining whether the tire was defective in the first place, or whether it's still safe to use.

Honestly, I would, 100%, throw that tire out and start over with a fresh tire, mounting it myself, or finding someone who's not a blithering idiot. It's not an expensive tire, and it would be well worth the $70 or so for peace of mind. I absolutely do NOT take chances with motorcycle tires.

THIS 1000%. I wouldn't let that guy mount my tire with a gun to my head

Mad

[rphillips]

Definitely replace the mechanic, possibly replace the tire.

[sacruickshank]

UPDATE - I tried traditional manual mehod with hair dryer to heat it up, RU Glyde, and some 12" tire spoons. No luck for me, so i took the rim and tire to a local KTM dort bike shop who will mount street tires. All good now and on the bike. test ride possible this long weekend

[rphillips]

Did they say if &, or, what the problem may have been? or did they not mention anything?

[sacruickshank]

Did they say if &, or, what the problem may have been? or did they not mention anything?

No new info. This shop owner said it popped right on. My only guess is maybe the built up tire glue caused issues with the previous mounting.

If anyone in greater boston is ever in the market for a KTM dirt bike, Cliff's Cycles in Norfolk is always helpful with my vintage J-bike projects even though it's not their core business.

[Cipher]

glad it worked out for you.