Tire Changing Hell Today

[CaptainObvious]

I'm a good mechanic. I'm usually very happy with my work. But today I had a bad case of the stupids or something.

I woke up early to get the final touches of reassembly done on my KX. The only thing left to do after a complete winter disassembly were mounting new tires and changing the bearings in the Uni-Trac link. Everything else is on the bike.

So I figure I'll do the tires first because they're easy. Old tires off, clean the rim, check for any maintainence issues (found a broken spoke in the rear wheel so I replaced it), new tires mounted. I fill up the front tire with air...huge air leak...crap. Second tire, I filled it with air and started bouncing it to set the bead...what's that noise...AIR!!!

Of course I didn't have spare tubes (I hate patches) so off to the store. $20 dollars later I'm back in the basement changing tubes. Get them done, fill the front with air...ppssssssttttttt.

What the....

Luckily the rear held its air just fine.

I removed the front tire to see if there was anything that might cause a puncture...nothing. Nothing but poor workmanship.

Well I'm off to RRP to get a new, new front tube. Hopefully I'll get the idiots discount. Think I'll install this new tube tomorrow. The Uni-Trac bearings? No way am I going to do those today. Sunday will be a much better day!

 

[Senior KX Rider]

Some days go like that don't they. Good luck with the next one :thumb:

 

[firecracker22]

That sucks, sounds like our day on Saturday back at Reno.

 

[joereitman]

Stories like this are the reason I gave up tire changing. Now I take it to the local auto tire shop that does bike tires on the side. Yes I am lame, but I would just rather pay the $10... :)

 

[scooter1130]

I hope they got more of the heavy duty tubes in for ya. I think I bought the last pair they had last week when i got new tires. I fortunately had a little better luck and was able to get the tires on without pinching the tube. I was impressed with myself by that :laugh:

 

[Rooster]

Yep, local shop, $10, hehehe, my favorite way to change tires. :)
Although, Eddie did some nice work with that Maxxis in Lou's garage before Reno......hmmmmmmm :p

 

[hoosierf]

I don't want to insult you, but I really inflate the tubes a lot before I mount the tire. It really reduces the possbility of pinching.

 

[scooter1130]

Yep, local shop, $10, hehehe, my favorite way to change tires. :)

I agree, but when I picked up the tires last week, there was nobody there to mount the tires because of a trade show down in Florida. So I told butch if I felt ambitious, i would mount the tires, otherwise I would be back in a few days to have them put on.

 

[T 07]

I don't want to insult you, but I really inflate the tubes a lot before I mount the tire. It really reduces the possbility of pinching.

Agree, hardly anyone does this though.

Used to hate mini tyres but he 19/20/21 inchers are easy......
Never had a problem with patches either, used them for years

 

[Layton]

You guys are so funny! :)

 

[CaptainObvious]

Sunday was a better day. Installed the tube and no air leaks. Got the bike back together and life was good again.

Any want to buy some slightly damaged tubes?

 

[scooter1130]

Thanks, but they are easy enough to make myself.....I've got a few laying around here somewhere

 

[TheGrinch]

The problem with doing the changes yourself, is the learning curve and the wasted tubes & $ that go with it.

The last tyre change (and only the second I have ever done) took me two hours! I didn't break the bead before attempting to remove the tyre with the irons (call it as lack of experience). But at least I didn't punture the new tube, and I still managed to squeeze in a couple of hours riding afterwards.

I should be able to do it in half the time next time :)

 

[wardd]

Had a similar, although not as extreme experience yesterday.
Installed new tires/tubes/rimlocks, etc.. into new second set of race wheels just received. As careful as I was, put a nice scratch in the rim(why did I just not stay with the silver rims????). Had the tires inside for 2 days so they'd be nice and warm for install too.

Front was easy. Done in 15 - 20 min.

Back - spent about 30 min swearing and chewing up the top of my hands while trying to get the valve stem threaded through that darn hole! The rest took about 5 min. Fortunately, no pinched tubes(although I'll have to try the putting a little air in before technique), just pinched fingers.

I've not found a local place to do the install for less than $15 labor. I'm guessing the $10 you are all paying does not include the tube.

David.

 

[KiwiBird]

If you have Honda which has the large, grommet covered valve hole (or a 1/2" drill bit to enlarge the hole) you can use this tool CLICK HERE to fish the valve through and save all that skin on your knuckles.

 

[CaptainObvious]

I use a stubby phillips screw driver to locate the hole, and then puch the screw drive back out with the valve. I find the rear much easier to do then the front because there is more room.

I'm guessing the $10 you are all paying does not include the tube.

No, doesn't include the tube, but if they pinch it, it's their problem. I prefer doing my own tire changes because (1) I'm cheep, (2) I enjoy doing my own work, and (3) I'm cheep.

 

[joereitman]

They haven't pinched my tubes yet. :)

 

[MrLuckey]

I put the valve stem through the hole as the first step in mounting a tire and never worry about it.

 

[T 07]

I retract my earlier post. I tried to do a quick change today, it was -5 degrees C.

Ouch.

 

[70 marlin]

Agree, hardly anyone does this though.

Used to hate mini tyres but he 19/20/21 inchers are easy......
Never had a problem with patches either, used them for years

Dittto! also lot of baby powder!

 

[joereitman]

Warm conditions, baby powder, a good set of tire irons and armor all were my best tire changing friends when I did them myself!