DIY Tyre Changing - Help!

[Beemerman59]

Bikes an '08 GSA so it's wire wheels and Tyre Pressure Monitors fitted. I have been doing this all day, I'm knackered, blistered, short tempered and have given up. OK I did the rear tyre after much blood sweat and tears and thats refitted all OK. The front is the problem. Eventually got the old one off and have one side of the new tyre on. However, whatever I do I cannot get the second side on over the rim. It seems the tpm is keeping the tyre further outwards from the well, and despite all my strength I cannot get the tyre on over the last 12 inch circumference.

To cap it all I have put a few scratches on the rim as the tyre levers slipped out and the rim protectors came off a couple of times. I know I must be doing something wrong or there's a technique I don't know. I used to change tyres on my other bike just fine and I thought this would be relatively straight forward.

Any ideas from anyone who has been through this problem?

 

[alimey4u2]

Washing up liquid as a lube & ensure the beads are well & truly in the center of the rim, use 3 clamps ( like these moving along as you go) to make sure the fockers stay there...With 3 tyre irons & rim protectors, ease it around...

Orrr pay some cnut to do it...

 

[rockchunk]

always do my tyres in the kitchen having left them next to the rad for a while makes a diference when they are hot and soft another tip also found the dishwasher handy for de greasing .....ps on my 3rd wife

 

[Beemerman59]

Washing up liquid as a lube & ensure the beads are well & truly in the center of the rim, use 3 clamps ( like these moving along as you go) to make sure the fockers stay there...With 3 tyre irons & rim protectors, ease it around...

Orrr pay some cnut to do it...

It is amazing what 5 minutes calming down and a cup of tea can do. Just back from the garage and tyre is on. Having thought the problem through (in a calm fashion this time) I realised I should be working towards the tpm instead of away from it. I put three straps around the opposite side of the tyre from the tpm to keep the bead together and in the well. Plenty of lube and 2 minutes later tyre is on. Going to leave it to tomorrow now to finish off.

Only problem now is I have a few small scratches on the rim - whats best for touch up paint on the GSA black rims?

 

[littleredrooster]

I personally wouldn't use washing-up liquid. It contains glycerine (which degrades rubber) and a strong saline (salt) solution which triggers corrosion if it gets anywhere near alloy.

 

[Taff]

I personally wouldn't use washing-up liquid. It contains glycerine (which degrades rubber) and a strong saline (salt) solution which triggers corrosion if it gets anywhere near alloy.

I was told to use WD40.

 

[Engineer]

I was told to use WD40.

Doesn't WD40, being petroleum based, degrade rubber also?

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Doesn't WD40, being petroleum based, degrade rubber also?

WD40 is the stuff to use.

I suspect it would degrade rubber if you left a tyre in a bath of it for a few years but a blast round the rim isn`t going to do anything at all.

Same for washing up liquid I would guess.

 

[Jonnie Boy]

You could always use proper tyre soap

 

[Captain KTM]

If it's difficult, you are actually doing it wrong...

Always use proper tyre leavers; you will need at least 3. NEVER use screwdrivers.

When you do have the tyre half-on and you insert the tube, inflated more than you think you should and this will prevent it getting nipped between the tyre lever and the rim...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNZz...2A39F4208&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5

I personally never use WD40 or soap etc and can do a tyre change in less than 30min. I have had a tyre degrade on me after using fairy-liquid.

 

[rockchunk]

i find a couple of good soup spoons do the trick also find sunday the best day for tyre fitting as you can always use the fat from the sunday roast or chicken as lube saves washing your hands afterwards just let the dog lick them clean,,,more tips from the kitchen coming soon

 

[Beemerman59]

If it's difficult, you are actually doing it wrong...

Always use proper tyre leavers; you will need at least 3. NEVER use screwdrivers.

When you do have the tyre half-on and you insert the tube, inflated more than you think you should and this will prevent it getting nipped between the tyre lever and the rim...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNZz...2A39F4208&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=5

I personally never use WD40 or soap etc and can do a tyre change in less than 30min. I have had a tyre degrade on me after using fairy-liquid.

I knew I was doing something wrong which is why I stopped to think about it. When I worked out what I was doing wrong I redid it and it took 5 minutes to get the tyre on. I always use tyre levers and tyre paste.

Tubeless tyres on the 1200 so no problems pinching an inner tube.

 

[cookie]

I personally wouldn't use washing-up liquid. It contains glycerine (which degrades rubber) and a strong saline (salt) solution which triggers corrosion if it gets anywhere near alloy.

i wonder why my bikes over the last 35 years or so have not been a mess of disintegrating rubber and corroded alloy then?

 

[Phil Clarke]

+1 for WD 40 - works a treat. I've had good results with talcum powder as well.

Touch up will be difficult as its black anodized - just try some satin black enamel and hope for the best.