READ THIS Re Tyres and travellers

[Timolgra]

Picked up a good tip last night at a bike meet, some of you may already know it.

When you get a flat with a tubeless tyre, sometimes, like what happened to me a couple of weeks back, is that the tyre comes off the rim and is seemingly impossible to get back without a blast of air from a large volume of air, ie compressor tank.

Now should this occur in Southern Morocco, 100 miles from the nearest garage it could be a bit of a pisser.

So

By wrapping a ratchet type tie down around the circumferance of the tyre and tightening it up (possibly) with something slippy to help (tyre soap, swarfega, washing up liquid, spit er etc), the tyre should be pushed out against the rim enabling it to be reinflated with a small pump.

Tim

 

[Tsiklonaut]

Maybe BMW kit does come in hand there - those small balloons should give the first quick pressure punch to push the rubber against the walls(?) Puts tyres abot half needed pressure. And then put correct pressure with manual small pump.

Mo

 

[Den]

A squirt of butane and a lighter works even better.

 

[MikeO]

Maybe BMW kit does come in hand there - those small balloons should give the first quick pressure punch to push the rubber against the walls(?) Puts tyres abot half needed pressure. And then put correct pressure with manual small pump.

Mo

Nothing like enough pressure & not quick enough, Mo. Tim's idea is similar in action to a tool I've seen used to fit car tyres - a pneumatic ring which you connect around the circumference of the tyre to 'squash it' onto the rim. I've also heard of Den's butane trick being used (though I've never spoken to anyone that's done it). Bottom line is - if you're stuck out in the wilds, anything's worth trying.

I'd definitely do planned tyre swaps of tubeless tyres at a workshop set up for it, though...

Mike

 

[MasterDabber]

Tim's suggestion can work OK...
I've done this on a trials bike when the seal has seal has broken ( trials rear tyre typically run at around 4lb/sq in in competition so it can happen pretty easily on them).
It doesn't always work though... but certainly useful as a fallback plan.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Another trick is to get a bicycle inner tube that matchs the circumference of the tyre bead.
Inflate the bicycle tube, so it's like a 'sausage'.
Insert between the 'open' bead gap and the metal wheel rim.
This 'bridges' the gap that normally air would escape from.
Inflate motorcycle tyre in normal way and pull the bicycle tyre out as the motorcycle tyre inflates to correct pressure and takes up the open gap space and seats onto the rim edge.

 

[Timolgra]

Yes I've not seen the butane trick work on motorcycle tyres but am aware of it's role with much bigger tyres.

And Johnny what a great lateral thinker you are, I like that one.

Well, I'm going to get a ratchet tie down and have a little practice.

Incidently, for this years trip we shall be carrying a pair of tubes between us to fit as last resort.

After all if this GS had a rock cut through the side wall in the Cambrian a couple of years ago, then it could happen anywhere

Tim