Fitting Tubeless tires (yourself)

[fritz]

I've tried this on the R100GS before...and failed

But yesterday I thought I'd practice with renewed vigour ready for the possibilty I may have to do it in anger in not so far future

Using one large lever and a brace of BM ones I got the old tyre off easily enough...lots of meandering along the sidewall before a 'tweak' with big lever thence the old tyre bead was 'free'. A bit of lube was used, 90% washing up liquid . Easy enough. Cleaned rim and lubed.

Took a bit of effort to get the final bit of the bead on for the new tyre - maybe should have left it in the sun a bit longer...but then that wouldn't have worked today

Slapped a load of lube on and tried to get the thing seated on bead on rim each side but not happening...surprise, surprise. No ratchet strap suitable so just basket-balled the wheel a bit to get the tyre spread as much as possible and reached for of those mini gas cannisters. One of the three in a kit you apperently need to inflate after puncture.

I had intened taking out the valve inner first, but forgot, and screwed the canister on. Ping, bead seated I was somewhat surprised but pleased

Now...maybe it will never ever happen again, but it did this time, so can

I have seen cannisters 3x size of a 'normal' one that should guarantee bead seating - but this excercise proves it can be done without (even if only once?)

Well worth trying when you have the time if you are fancying going of the beaten path.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

I honestly wouldn't have thought there was enough gas in one of those to give the shock you usually need to pop a tyre on. I usually take the core out, turn the compressor all they way up and give it some. Usually works fine. Always wanted to try the Icelandic route of lighter gas and explode it but never had the bottle.

 

[VAL. H.]

Never had a problem inflating the tubless tyre Always use the compressor rather than a foot pump though. If air is escaping I simply move the tyre accross the rim til it stops leaking. Ratchet strap method is best. But it does help if you have one.

Personally, if a tubless tyre goes flat in the field 'as it where' I simply fix it in situe with a rat tail. No need to take it off the rim


Val.

 

[fritz]

Personally, if a tubless tyre goes flat in the field 'as it where' I simply fix it in situe with a rat tail. No need to take it off the rim

Val.

Aye, I would always use a compressor - hence surprise at the mini bottle working - but if you should be unlucky enough to suffer a bad puncture and tyre come off bead it's worth knowing there may, just may, be a solution.

In the past I've even had problems at tyre places with compressors

A friend told me it was possible without an airline, I dissagreed (strongly), and am now eating (happily) humble pie

There will always be a 'never going to happen' situation

 

[Timolgra]

I always fit my own tyres and practice using the same tools I'll have with me on any trip.
I use a ratchet strap at home but always have a length of para cord on the bike for towing, this can be used instead of the strap in a tourniquet fashion or any piece of rope, I also use the same 12v that's always on the bike.

I haven't tried seating the tyre with cannisters but thanks for the confirmation it works

 

[fayeslane]

A bloke I know (new rider) had new tyres fitted by a shop who sent him on his way with the tyres still at bead seating pressure 60-70psi

He thought it handled a bit funny

.

 

[Timolgra]

A bloke I know (new rider) had new tyres fitted by a shop who sent him on his way with the tyres still at bead seating pressure 60-70psi

He thought it handled a bit funny

.

Well that was lucky, most tyre fitters remove the valve to seat the tyre

 

[GEOFFREY DEACON]

you should never use fairy/soap at 90%, but just add a few drops of soap to water and make a foam to do the job,, Near neat fairy etc does not set/dry and the tyre can slip around under braking in some cases...
Has Val said, repair with plug on site and repair properly when back home or dealership is the best option. Or carry a spare inner tube of 18" to cover front and rear tyres.
The bad job is to break the bead of the tyre in the field, not a easy task..

But at least you had a go, thats good experience..

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

I always fit my own tyres and practice using the same tools I'll have with me on any trip.
I use a ratchet strap at home but always have a length of para cord on the bike for towing, this can be used instead of the strap in a tourniquet fashion or any piece of rope, I also use the same 12v that's always on the bike.

I haven't tried seating the tyre with cannisters but thanks for the confirmation it works

I was talking about this with JB on the phone the other day as I have never tried to do it myself and want to practice. What do you use a rachet strap or para cord for?

 

[Timolgra]

What do you use a rachet strap or para cord for?

Last resort when the tyre won't seat....to hang myself


EDIT: I'll see if I have a spare one for you

 

[pikeydave]

Bit of info for you.

Bored one day Me and Cookie did an experiment with 3 canisters to inflate a rear 150/70 17". 22psi was all they could muster.

If you're out on the road and need air after a puncture a lot of trucks do have airlines in their toolkit so a friendly HGV might keep you going.
These two found time out from burying a prostitute to dig out an airline for me.

It seems that both Drivers have benefited from the UKGSer gym membership offer.

 

[fayeslane]

Well that was lucky, most tyre fitters remove the valve to seat the tyre

Bike shop, not tyre fitters -different rules apply (there's an opening for a bike shop horror stories thread).

I do most of my own tyres because I reckon you should know how and practice the skill. Having said that, it is one of my most hated bike jobs
Had some nervous moments increasing the pressure trying to seat a reluctant tyre.

 

[Deleted account 231002001]

Last resort when the tyre won't seat....to hang myself


EDIT: I'll see if I have a spare one for you

Thanks

 

[cheb]

I was talking about this with JB on the phone the other day as I have never tried to do it myself and want to practice. What do you use a rachet strap or para cord for?

You wrap it round the circumference of the tyre and tighten it. It forces both beads onto the rim making them airtight enough that the air pumped in can't escape.

 

[phooey]

Video....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0nr...ay&list=PLF5261A8C56814CCB&index=3&playnext=2

 

[Bryn]

The bad job is to break the bead of the tyre in the field, not a easy task..

But at least you had a go, thats good experience..

Not tried it , but the TT sidestand extender is allegedly shaped to provide a bead breaker if needed... with the weight of the bike behind it I'd imagine it'd work

 

[stephen.stallebrass]

Bit of info for you... these two found time out from burying a prostitute to dig out an airline for me.

Burying a prostitute?

 

[fritz]

Video....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0nr...ay&list=PLF5261A8C56814CCB&index=3&playnext=2

Nice bit of footage, tells it like it is

 

[Beemerman59]

Very interesting vid, wish I could do it that quickly. It seemed very easy to get them on and off the rim and I might try the silicone treatment on the tyres myself next time. I wonder if there is one type of silicone that would be better than another? Biggest problem I seem to have is the tyre levers slipping off the rim protectors and damaging the rims - I noticed he didn't use any and if the silicone makes it that easy to do I would'nt worry about it either.

 

[VAL. H.]

Very interesting vid, wish I could do it that quickly. It seemed very easy to get them on and off the rim and I might try the silicone treatment on the tyres myself next time. I wonder if there is one type of silicone that would be better than another? Biggest problem I seem to have is the tyre levers slipping off the rim protectors and damaging the rims - I noticed he didn't use any and if the silicone makes it that easy to do I would'nt worry about it either.

He'll definately be doing some minor/cosmetic damage to the rim. But going by what he said about letting most of the air out to get you uot of s slippery spot he isn't too concerned about that. If you like to keep your rims nice, you'll need to use rim protectors.

His center stand bead breaking looked easy didn't it I can see me dropping the bike trying that one


Val.