OzVMX Forum

Clubroom => General Discussion => Topic started by: magoo on August 01, 2009, 06:55:34 pm

Title: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: magoo on August 01, 2009, 06:55:34 pm
I decided today that it would be a good idea to put a couple of fresh new tyres on the mighty race bike for next weekend. 2 hours later, back strains, busted knuckles, high blood pressure and kids with some new swear words to add to their vocabulary, the rear is done.
Question, should I have done it before I watched the V8s and drinking a 6 pack? (no Hoony, I'm in training so they were blondies, not those nasty VBs)
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: bigk on August 01, 2009, 07:20:46 pm
I've found the easiest way to change tyres is get your employees to do it!
Cheers,
K
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: magoo on August 01, 2009, 07:30:12 pm
Can't blame you K, I'd do the same. Also, one big difference between Enduro and Motocross riders is a flat tyre for an Enduro rider is a minor inconvenience, for a Motocross rider it is the end of the weekend, pack up and get the bike shop on Monday to fix it for you. They're a weird mob those Enduro guys.
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: DR on August 01, 2009, 08:00:25 pm
and for a weekend motocrosser they're simply a pain in da butt! Fortunately or unfortunately, however you look at it, I've had plenty of experience ::) Why I changed 4 in about 30 minutes on friday..yesterday even :P..1 was a bloody trelleborg too! Jayzuz H Christ!! talk about stubborn! >:( but I was most stubborn ;D seriously, the tip to making it easiest I've found is making sure the bead opposite where you are levering is in the lowest part of the rim which is the centre. Keep an eye and a heavy knee on this area and you shouldn't have too much bother ;)
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: maicopunk on August 01, 2009, 09:05:41 pm
... and since you're not an enduro rider and don't need to fit them in a bumbag, go to SuperCheap and get a pair of 24 inch tyre levers. They won't stop the skinned knuckles or swear words but should help with the back strain and blood pressure. Take small bites at a time.
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: Jimmy on August 01, 2009, 09:15:59 pm
Tyres are easy.  It's all the other stuff that's hard!

1. Put the tyre (new and old) in the sun.  A nice warm tyre comes off much easier than one on a cold night

2. Put your boots on and break the bead both sides

3. Get some decent tyre levers and start on the non-sprocket side (I was going to say the 'disc side' ha ha).

4. Take smaller rather than bigger bites with the levers.  And be tough!  Some old tyres like Pirelli and Trelleborg used to have a reputation for being hard sonsabitches to get off.

5.  Use lots of baby powder when you put it back on.  I also use it to take the tyre off too.

6.  Go on a few trailrides and have 20 'mates' yell helpful comments..
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: 090 on August 01, 2009, 09:26:29 pm
Or buy a tire changer  ;D
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: Nathan S on August 01, 2009, 10:21:13 pm
Best method I've found is to make sure that CrossedUp2 is standaing nearby, and then flounder hopelessly. He'll have the new tyre on in a jiffy, with no skinned knuckles or raised blood pressure on your behalf...
 ;D

Seriously, Jimmy's advice is all spot-on.

I also like to put a tiny bit of air into the tube when re-fitting as I find that it makes it harder to pinch the tube with the levers. Just so the tube begins to hold its shape - any more and it makes life a lot harder.

For the fronts, I like to fit the slightly inflated tube into the tyre before putting the tyre anywhere near the wheel.



Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: yzhilly on August 01, 2009, 10:50:16 pm
C,mon Magoo i thought you Honda blokes would be harder than that  !!!.
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: micks on August 01, 2009, 11:19:03 pm
i send my tyres to mick dyer motorcycles. that`s working starter not harder. good luck up at the nats
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: VMX247 on August 01, 2009, 11:21:40 pm
i send my tyres to mick dyer motorcycles. that`s working starter not harder. good luck up at the nats

cheers,we have a good fellow up at the Nats, who can change tyres real quick names Magoo  ;D
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: micks on August 01, 2009, 11:27:50 pm
sorry smarter.but it put `s me at the starter quicker.
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: oldfart on August 02, 2009, 08:16:55 am
Jam tyre up against bench leg  ( to push tyre in groove ) then hold in place with # 10 clobber and take small bites . OLDIE    wears  leather gloves these days  :)
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: mainline on August 02, 2009, 09:34:17 am
Watch these three youtube vids of the Bridgestone tyre tech changing Kevin Windham's tyre

Absolutely foolproof, guaranteed


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw0B2gIwbBg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTatadVNA-c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjJXE73rGvk&feature=related
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: lukeb1961 on August 02, 2009, 11:16:46 am
I floundered around changing some tyres a year or two ago and ended up on the floor panting. Felt like a complete fool! This was NOT so hard when I was 18.

The next time, I grabbed three of the small spoon levers, I then liberally covered everything in water or powder or anything to help things slipslide around and the dang thing was off and new tyre back on in less than 3 minutes.

No huge tyre levers, no straining, no bulging eyes :-)
Lubrication. Yes, I had omitted the bleeding obvious...

Luke
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: TeeBone on August 02, 2009, 11:29:45 am
Changing tyres. like anything, is easier with the correct method.

Follow Jimmy's advice and it'll come easy, but add in one more piece of info - START and FINISH at the RIMLOCK. When taking the tyre off, position the Rimlock @ the 12 o'clock position and lever off either side. When putting the tyre back on, start at the bottom (or 6 o'clock) position and finish up the top (12 o'clock). Doing it this way allows the tyre to fall into the middle of the rim. Do it the opposite way and there'll be tears - and new swear words for the kids!
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: suzuki27 on August 02, 2009, 12:07:35 pm
About every 2 years  I  seem to convince myself that I am better at tyre changes than I obviously am . What follows is a flurry of tools and baby powder and a fool sweating like Elvis at his last concert. Then I swear that will be the last time I EVER do it.What I need is the missus to take a photo of me about 5 minutes from completing the tyre change, which could be anywhere from 1 to 3 hours, and put it beside the tyre levers just to jog my memory.  For $10 at the local shop, including disposal, I won't be doing any tyre changes.....for at least a year!
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: magoo on August 02, 2009, 12:26:03 pm
Note to self, in future, change tyres BEFORE partaking of any alcoholic type beverages. This mornings effort, 20 minutes from start to finish, no grief, no stress, no scratched rims and no busted knuckles. The only thing I did differently to yesterday was no beer beforehand. I'll try and remember that little tip for the future!!!
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: suzuki27 on August 02, 2009, 01:56:05 pm
Gee you must have started the tyre changing early!
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: GMC on August 02, 2009, 02:04:08 pm
Worst tyres I ever changed were the bloody tubeless tyres on my Trials bike.
The rim's valley isn't very deep which doesn't allow the tyre to slip in, in order to get the other side on, & then getting them onto the bead enough to get pressure into them was a bitch as you need to put pressure into them to get them onto the bead, catch 22
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: Sun Prarie Jimmy on August 02, 2009, 02:51:42 pm
Just stick to VB  ;D
Title: Re: Advice needed on tyre changing.
Post by: mike1948 on August 02, 2009, 05:29:22 pm
use plenty of rubber grease, works even better than VB.