Killer tyres!
 

Last weeken I tried to fit a pair of TKC80's (tube type) to my Africa Twin. Damn near killed me. To cut a long story short, 3 of us tried to put the rear on and not one of us could do it. I haven't tried to fit new tires by hand before but my mate has and he was sure it wasn't right. We got one side on but the other would not go more than half way on round the rim.

Anyone else had this kind of a problem? I know its hard but this was impossible. We're not on the trip yet but we sure as hell don't need this in the midle of nowhere sometime!

Cheers

Chris

I doubt they're any harder than some Deserts are, but maybe you got one at the low end of the tolerance. plenty of soap, keep the bead in the dip in the middle of the rim and use a long lever or two. I find it helps to do it solo rather than with a supporting cast!

agree with rich, especially then bit about minus the supporting cast.
cb

Sounds to me like the bead on the side that was already on might no have been centered on the rim. If the tire's very stiff it can be hard to keep it there since it'll want to push to the other side. If it's not in the center of the rim, you'll have that exact problem.

Chris is right, they're a bitch to fit. Pity cause they're a good tire, if a little on the expensive side. I won't buy them any more. Too many bruised knuckles and the thought of trying to fit or repair a tube on the side of the road?!! Forget it. They are so stiff in the side wall, even an experienced fitter at my local shop had grief and ended up marking the rim. Life's too short!! Buy something else.

I've recently fitted a set of TKC80's to my Africa twin. It was a cold day and they put up quite a fight but went on and hopfully they will prove to be worth it. I used lots of washing up liquid which made the difference. I will be taking a large wood workers G-clamp to break the seal on the rim, on the rear until it gets worn in a little. Hopefully the tyre will be warm if I get a punture, I have used some "slime" to cover the small puntures with luck. Once the tyres are worn in a little I'll sling the G-clamp on route to Morocco. I fitted the rim locks which did not hinder the fitting too much.

Best Regards

Paul M.


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Hi, I ve fitted TKC80's to my AT, it wasn't easy, did it for the practise before a maroc trip. The biggest problems I had was breaking the bead, on the old tyre and seating the bead on the rear TKC80, I couldn't generate enough pressure on the 12 volt compressor. If I had known it was going to be that tough I would have used alot more soap. Don't let this put you off, they are a very good tyre on/off road and in the wet.
The G clamp tip is good, I took one along just in case, as it happens I didn't get any punctures.
have a good trip.
PK