changing a tire

[Pit_Monkey]

ok i know this is a really beginner question but here goes. i took my front tire off to change it. i put on the new tube and inflated it just enough to round it out like it says. then i fit the tire and worked the bead until it only had like 3 inches left. i couldnt get the last part of the bead over the rim and i ended up poping the tube. i used plenty of soap and water and it just wouldnt budge. can someone give me some tips for finishing off this part of the installation process.:silly:

 

[BSWIFT]

Jeff Freddette gave a demo at DW01 that solved your problem. Start the bead 180 degrees from the valve stem. Keep the bead as far into the center of the rim using your knees to squish it down. As you get to the tough, last three inches or so, be patient. Don't let you tire iron go past 90 degree to the horizontal. This will keep you from pinching the tube. PS, I take the valve core out after getting the tube inside the tire. Hope this helps.

 

[justql]

Cover the tube with Baby Powder. It will make it smell good........it also helps prevent tube pinching. I always put a little air in the tube myself. Bswift doesn't really know anything about tire changes. His wife changes all of his.:eek:

 

[Danman]

I just put on a new set of tire this weekend. I actually did it without pinching a tube. I did manage to get the rear tire on without using an iron. I was shocked. I left it out in the sun all afternoon to help make it more plyable. Don't know if it helped or not. I think that it did. My question (for you guys that got the schooling) is this: Whats the best way to start getting the tire off with out damaging the rim or tube? I had a pretty fresh tube in the front so I did not want to replace it. I managed to do it, but I had a realy hard time getting it started. Mainly getting the iron to get a grip on the bead.

 

[yz250-effer]

Originally posted by Danman
Whats the best way to start getting the tire off with out damaging the rim or tube? I had a pretty fresh tube in the front so I did not want to replace it. I managed to do it, but I had a realy hard time getting it started. Mainly getting the iron to get a grip on the bead.

You mean the first bead or the second? The first bead, ( after I thoroughly break the bead and push it in on both sides after deflating the tube) I put the wheel disc side up, and shove three tire irons in about 3-4 inches apart. Then I pry the first one up and hook it underneath the disc. Then I do the second and third. After the third, the bead should be loose enough to pull the first one out.

On the second bead removal ( of an old tire ) I take the tube out first, then peel part of the bead over the rim. Then I squish the tire flat and pound the bead near it with a rubber mallet where it meets the rim continually, and it comes off pretty nice. I am not a "pro" mechanic but I hope this helps.:)

 

[yz250-effer]

Pit MOnkey:

One thing to remember - go slow. The second - make sure you pound the bead in towards the center on every part of the tire you are not working on before going for the final 3 inches of bead. I use a rubber mallet. This gives the part of the bead you are working on more room to stretch. You actually create more bead to work with at the end by pounding the rest of the bead IN. ( wheel is smaller diameter near spoke nipples ). The hot tire suggestion is very good too.

Hope this helps a bit. I also use the "tire breezer" a tire iron that you don't pry with, but pound around the wheel. It works very well, but I still have make sure most of the bead is pounded in before I set the final bead. Good luck and it will get easier like everything else after more practice.:)

 

[KXTodd]

Re: Pit MOnkey:

Originally posted by yz250-effer
I also use the "tire breezer" a tire iron that you don't pry with, but pound around the wheel.

Is there a picture of this thing on any of the sites, heard about it a couple of times, but can't picture it.

 

[yz250-effer]

Here is a pic of the " breezer ".

The top side that is indented rides around the edge of the rim, and the opposite side either takes off, or puts on the bead. I really like it. I have only pinched 1 tube in 5 years.

I can't seem to get the image to load, but here is a link:

breezer pic

 

[Pit_Monkey]

thanks for all the advise. i went to vicious cycle and bought two tire irons for 6 buck each and then bought a new tube. went home and just followed the directions in the clymer manual. having hte tire irons really helped. because they arent sharp and they they have the kinda curve on the end to hook them so it made it alot easier and i changed my first tire last night and from start to finish it took me about an hour. i think this is pretty good for my first time. now im going to get a rear and do that. thanks again

-Charlie Zigmund :silly: