Change Tires Easily?

[XT GIRL]

This was posted on advrider ADVrider - View Single Post - Mount a Motorcycle Tire Without Using Tools

And seemed very interesting. Opinions?

Originally Posted by Poolside

No tire irons. Amaze your friends. Do the job with lashing straps.







8 straps are needed. 99 cents each at Harbor Freight.





Strap the tire so the beads are touching.





Place the tire onto the wheel. Notice the gap between the bead and wheel at the 6 o'clock position.





First thing to do is push the bead against the wheel at the 6 o'clock position.





Push the tire over the wheel lip with hand pressure. Push just ahead of where the bead crosses the wheel lip.





Halfway on.





Two-thirds.





Three-quarters.





Hey... Have you noticed? No tire lube.





One last push and...





Pretty cool eh? No tire irons. Only your hands.

[Motu]

You have tubeless rims on your XT?

[XT GIRL]

Won't it work with tubes??

[mcgiggle]

I like it, but how do ya get the old one off ?

[Ned Flanders]

Originally Posted by mcgiggle

I like it, but how do ya get the old one off ?

Angle grinder.

[Threewheelbonnie]

Originally Posted by Ned Flanders

Angle grinder.

Ooooh. Here in Yorkshire we are so poor we have to use a hacksaw. Thought I'd start the Monty Python Sketch, after all it is Yorkshire Day.

Two thoughts:

If it works it'll work with tubes so long as it's a wide tyre and you can get your hand in to pull the valve through. I suspect on some rims and tyres it works on other it'll be just as much a PITA as using levers.

The lack of lube could be a problem once you've got the straps off. Some wheel designs need the bead to slip into position on the rim they are so tight.

And a question:

Dare I try this approach to mounting my snow chain next winter?

Andy

[Matt Cartney]

Cool!

If nothing else worth filing away in the memory just in case! I wonder if you can deflate the tyre, insert straps and remove the tyres with judicious use of hefty boots! ...maybe if you carefully positioned the beads on one side in the well and pulled at the others?

Matt

[Brian E]

Easy way to mount a tire using 8 straps! or how about a easy way to mount a tire using only 2 tire levers.

I only think this will work with cast tubless rims and not with tubed rims.

[Dodger]

I've changed tyres before now with one screwdriver and a spoon , we had it tough in them days !
8 straps - ye gods ! Luxury !

[Dodger]

A couple of vids that show the proper way .

YouTube - tyre change

YouTube - Easy dirt bike tire change instructions part 2

A tip - you can use your knee instead of a "bead buddy" if you are changing a tyre on the ground .

YouTube - Easy dirt bike tire change instructions part 3

[mollydog]

From here on its mostly practice. Pay close attention

[Bill Ryder]

I just changed 5 tires today in my little home motorcycle repair buisness. I have a hard time beliving that the strapped together tire could be forced onto a rim. The bead is still wire corded so it does not stretch...maybe that wheel has an especialy deep drop center. I change my tires by hand using a couple of those large michelin style tire irons and soapy water. I use a simple bead breaker that I have made quite simply out of some square tubing. If anyone is passing thu Helena Montana I would be glad to show them how to change a real tire on a real rim. Changing tires by hand is great if you are into martial arts....great for strenghth and patience.

[Threewheelbonnie]

A 6-inch G-clamp can be put to use as a bead breaker at the side of the road BTW. Drill holes in the G for suitable mounting bolts and it doubles as a vice.

I've used the sidestand trick sucessfully too.

The only rim that ever defeated me was the front of my dad's Guzzi. That was a serious PITA even for the tyre place that eventually sorted it.

Andy

[Dodger]

OK just for a challenge ,[not half an hour ago ] I changed the crappy Bridgestone BT 020 on the front of the Strom for a Michelin Anakee .I wanted to use the tools I normally carry in the tool roll and no bead breakers or extra stuff .
Used just the curved end of a lever to break the bead [and kneeling on the tyre to hold it down ], both beads popped off - piece of p*ss !
Then slipped the tyre off with a trio of 8 inch levers , I normally use 16 inchers .

Lubed up the tyre beads and the rim and slammed the wheel rim hard into the bead , first side popped in without a lever , then using all my weight on the tyre to hold it in the well of the wheel , I knelt on the tyre and pressed it down ,whilst pushing with my hands the wheel well hard into the beads of the tyre , when I had about 6 inches of tyre left to go ,one hefty kick against the exposed bead and it slipped it over the rim .
Job done and tyre fitted with no levers .

In my favour was the fact that the tyre coming off was less than a year old , my weight [ no comments please ] and I didn't have a tube to worry about , but I did ,however ,surprise myself and it only took about 10 mins .

Probably the easiest tyre I have ever changed .

For my next trick, I shall knit a 7 gallon tank for a Vstrom using baler twine and cow dung , whilst accompanying myself on a ukelele and singing " My Way " .
Thank you -- and settle down at the back please !

.

[mollydog]

The Vstrom 19" front was always a cinch to break down