Tyre changing

[Paulb_imp]

Has anyone tried to change a tyre themselves with levers? I've got spoked wheels on my CB and therefore have tubes in the tyres and this makes punctures more of a problem. I do carry some foam sealant designed to go into the tube but this is less reliable than the normal plugging of a tubeless tyre and I was considering carrying levers when I go touring but this is pointless if a roadside repair is not practical. Anyone any experience of tyre removal at the side of the road?

[Lord Popgun]

Paging CA200

[the Ferret]

Not in the last 25 years. Had tubed spokes on my Bonneville but luckily never got a flat. Not an easy job on the berm of a road. Have changed lots of tires using spoons though. I use 18" spoons in the garage. The short 9" spoons most carry for emergencies are really hard to remove tires with.

[redbirds_imp]

I repaired many flats years ago. My R/75 came with tire levers, Continental patch kit and an air pump that attached to the frame.

After pulling the wheel, used the irons to lever off one side of the bead then pulled out the tube just enough to patch the leak. Got to where I could do it start to finish in about 20 minutes but that was in my salad days. A cell phone, a quick plug kit and tubeless tires for me now.

[LongRanger_imp]

I've done it in the garage a few times using 9" levers, but it's not a pleasurable experience. On the side of the road, I think a credit card would work a lot better. Besides, who wants to carry around a bunch of tools on a ride? Not to mention an inflator?

Paul, send me your spokes, I'll send you my mags (I'll even pay freight both ways) and you won't have to worry about tubes. Me? I'd love to have your spokes on my CB!

[jedd_imp]

Ive done them before on the road:

And in case you don't have these, Here's some must have tools, in addition to tire irons.

bead breaker tool, like this motion pro.


Next is this nifty tool that is worth every penny. Valve stem puller
[url=http://www.motosport.com/product?psreferrer=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F&pssource=true&segment=badger&key=BikeMaster-Tire-Valve-Puller-With-Aluminum-Handle&cc=us&adpos=1o2&creative=64385813905&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKEAiAuea1BRCbn-2n7PbLgEMSJAABQvTTS6fvcSmpy5NYkCgxsfFNr7Uvbjb-80GHz8agWSb3jRoCwg7w_wcB]CLICK HERE< WATCH THE VIDEO ON HOW THIS IS USED

next, tire pump. I would Stay away from the cheap $10 12v pump from Slime. It will take you 10 minutes to pump up the tire b/c the flow volume is miniscule. Also, you need a heavy duty pump w/ high psi to expand the tire so the bead will seat. This is what I recommend:
[url=http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-9-cyclepump-adventure-tire-inflator.aspx]CYCLEPUMP @ $100

You will also need a 12mm/13mm wrench to remove the valve stem nut, and
whatever special tools to remove the axle.

And, from my experience w/ this, I don't patch up a tube unless absolutely necessary. Heat from the road will melt the glue and air will leak out down the road. I always use a new tube anytime a leak has to be serviced. So carry spare tubes.

Bring a small bottle of WD40 or some sort of bead lubricant and apply it on the tire bead before reinstall so that the rim of the tire will easily slide into place to seat against the rim. If the tire's rim doesn't seat completely around the rim, the tire will have a flat spot or a wobble, and you will know it right away as you're going down the road.

I think that's the jist of it.

[CA200_imp]

I really don't recommend anyone try to mount a current street tire using tire irons. Off road tires are another mater .
Use your phone and call for help or use a temp plug.
Even with tubes todays tubeless tires mounted with tubes are much
harder to work with today then years ago.
Many times people have brought me wheels with a tire half off or half on and a scarfed up rim and a tire with the bead ruined.
The beads on todays tires are much stronger and wider then tires of
years ago. Once a bead is bent (even in shipping) it will not mount
right even with a tube in it.

[jedd_imp]

I'll play devil's advocate.... if he's broken down somewhere w/o cell reception, that's going to be quite tough to contact a tire shop. I've had that happen to me before. Lost all electrical connection and my bike died on the side of a 25 mile long bridge going over the bayou in Louisiana, in pitch darkness. Fine, I'll just call a wrecker. Pulled my phone out, NO reception. OK I'll just walk. But, If I start walking away from my bike to get help, chances are good my bike won't be there when I get back. Paranoia sets in real quick under those circumstances. Good thing I had the right tools to get me back on the road again.

[Toddman_imp]

I rode mine with a front flat tire a loooooooooong ways once (slow)....lol.

[the Ferret]

In 1965, I rode my first bike from gas station to gas station (back when they had free air) for about 50 miles one time. I put about 40 psi ride until the back end wobbled around then find another station and put 40 psi in it and take off again. Made it all the way home. Took it to a bike shop the next day for a new tube.