Seating rear tire bead
 

So, am I the only one who has trouble getting the bead to seat on a KLR rear rim? Just put a new TKC-80 on tonight for the trip to the Creel rally, and the freaking thing refuses to pop up over the inner bead on the rim. Deflate, break it down, lube it up, inflate, blah, blah, blah. Nothing worked. This isn't the first time, I have 2 KLR's, and have the same issue with both. Front is no problem. I used to have a BMW GSPD and had the reverse problem with that, the front was a pain. I pumped it up to 70 psi and will leave it out in the sun tomorrow and see what happens. I'm getting tempted to grind down the ridge on the rim. Any less radical suggestions?

I have been putting tires on tough rims for quite some time. I use a clip on chuck and put the tire on the other side of a concrete wall. blow it up till it seats. this takes more than 70 pounds some times. I personally know people with missing digits from exploding tires. Also if you lay the tire flat on the floor and it explodes it might get you on the rebound down off the ceiling. What to do out on the road when you don't have a powerfull air compressor? Just ride it when it isn't seated all the way. It may seat later but it may not and then you just ride it home as I did the last time, 2000 miles with a tire not all the way seated and it worked just fine.

Note that over 70 psi isn't completely ridiculous - i.e. excessively dangerous - many tires max pressure is 50 psi - COLD. When hot that can easily be 60 or more. Assuming any semblance of a safety margin - and I think we can assume a pretty generous one - 80 or so is probably safe. DO note that the rim edge can actually split off...

I agree with Bill - other side of a wall is nice - and recommended - at anything over 50 psi....

Sometimes breaking the bead and rotating the tire a bit can solve the problem. Another try - push the tire INTO the rim at the opposite side - sometimes forces the hard spot out when it gets a little air in. Tie a tie strap around that spot opposite the problem too to force the tire in - and therefore out elsewhere.

Also as Bill says - riding with the tire not fully seated isn't fatal if necessary.

NOTE: we always recommend proper seating of the tire and following the tire manufacturers recommendations regarding pressure and seating of the bead. You are at your own risk with any ideas you may get here!

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 27 September 2005).]

We had the same problem out in the centre of OZ recently,resorted to using WD40.That worked.
Ben

In case anyone is interested, I did get it to seat. Used my longest air hose and pumped it up to 110 psi. Wouldn't be an option on the side of the road though.

Hey!
The pump under my right shroud will make 100lbs!
Rod