Fixing a puncture on a cruiser
 

As I am planning to get a little further this time on my cruiser (Kawa Vulcan) to Greece and Turkey I start to worry about some things that I hardly gave any thoughts before. What to do in case of a puncture with those fat tyres, I bet it is a struggle to get them off the rim (and back on!)
The Kawasaki dealer told me it would be very hard to do this on the side of the road but I reckon with a bit (lot) of elbow grease and the right tools it must be doable. He showed me the levers he had in his shop and they were massive so my question is, are there any tips and tricks and practical tools to get it done without lossing too much skin/fingers or teeth ?!

Robert

Wide tyres and wide rims are actually usually easier to work with. I expect that at least the rear rim on a bike like that will have a ridge on it to prevent the tyre falling into the rim well in the case of a flat - so you may need to improvise something to act as a bead breaker. Sidestands can be used if you're confident leaning over a bike when it's on its centrestand - this is all assuming it has a centrestand, as otherwise you're going to struggle to get a wheel off the ground to fix anything.

Once you've got the wheel off and the bead broken, tyre changing is all about technique - keeping the bead opposite the bit you're working on in the wheel well is paramount. There are gadgets and tools you can buy to do this, but I find a well placed knee works a treat and I take two wherever I go. :innocent:

PS - best way to ensure peace of mind is to try it before you set off and make sure you have got everything you need (tools, experience, practice...).

Job 1 IMHO is to check the tyre wall. So many bike manufacturers and tyre places fit TT tyres on a tubed rim with no lube. If that's what you've got, you need to change them at home first (make sure the hacksaw has a new blade, I've known tyres for which this was the only solution). TL tyre lubed onto the rim and they are a heck of a lot easier to fix at the road side.

Andy

As soon as this miserable winter is over I'll just have a go, taking all advice into account. Sadly no centre-stand but it seems the rear tyre is easy accessible (centre rear shock) so I hope in case of a puncture I don't have to remove the wheel but just pull out the tube between the tyre and the rim. The last time I fixed a tyre was on my daughters moped, the lever slipped out of my greasy hand and hit me in the face.......maybe this time I should put my helmet on!

Thanks for the advice...
Rob

People, myself included would pay good money to see you perform this trick .............good luck and let us know how you get on !!!!!!!!!!!!

You might possibly find it easier to pack a lift stick type device?

Andy