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Using tire levers to get tire back onto wheel?? Using tire levers to get tire back onto wheel??
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  #1  
Old 18 Jun 2016
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Using tire levers to get tire back onto wheel??
I'm trying to teach myself how to get out of the one in a million situation whereby the hole in the tire is to big to plug and you need to insert a tube.

I own a 2016 GSA1200 with Karoo 3 tires front and rear.

I decided to start with the rear. I got the wheel off no probs, removed one half of the tire to put the tube in then I removed the tire pressure sensor so the valve of the tube could go in the valve stem hole on wheel without issue.

Now the tube is in the tire and I'm trying to lever the tire back onto the wheel. I can get about 3/4 of it done and the rest is just bloody difficult. I'm using Motion Pro tyre levers and some WD40 as lube.

I put all my weight and muscle into it with just no movement of the tire onto the rim. Its like the rubber is trying to stretch but it can only go to a certain point.

If I was out bush by myself I'd be stuffed as I've spent the last 2 hours trying to get this wretched tire back onto the wheel but just can't get that last bit on.

How on earth do you guys that know how to do it - do it!??

I tried a 3rd tire lever but that wasn't of great assistance.

Any tips of words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

benok
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  #2  
Old 18 Jun 2016
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You need to keep as much of the opposite side of the tyre in the well of the wheel.
If the tyres are hard, it can be quite difficult, I run Mitas E-07's on a Tiger 800, I've avoided the Dakar variants as from experience they're just too bloody hard to get on and off.

One tip I can give you, try using cable ties to hold the tyre in.




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  #3  
Old 18 Jun 2016
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Oh, and I wouldn't be using wd40 either. Soapy water is a better bet.


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Old 18 Jun 2016
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Thanks XS

I've heard soapy water is good but I'm trying with WD-40 as its easier to carry in the tool box but I guess I can give it another go tomorrow using a little bit of water and a bar of soap and see how that goes - is that what you mean?

Nice pic btw - I might try that cable tie method
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Old 18 Jun 2016
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Soapy water evaporates where as oil doesn't. You really don't want a tyre moving on the rim! I usually use a little washing up liquid and water in the bottom of a cup and apply with a brush.

A lot of its practice, the cable ties mean you can hold it in place tightly and free up as much tyre to make fitting easier.


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  #6  
Old 18 Jun 2016
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Cheers mate,

I realise that I carry a bar of soap in my wash kit so I'll just make some soapy water and try that. The zip ties are a great idea.

Thanks again.
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Old 18 Jun 2016
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leave the tyre out in the sun and get it as hot as possible before you try and mount it, it expands it slightly and makes it more pliable.
I use 50% dishwashing liquid and 50% water and make sure you get it over the wheel rim and under the bead, so it will help the underside of the bead slip over the rim. As mentioned if the opposite side of the tyre is not in the deepest centre line part of the rim you will never get the opposite side you are trying to spoon back in, I kneel or stand on the opposite side of the tyre to keep it down and in the rim, take very small bites with the levers.


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Old 18 Jun 2016
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The problem with wd40 is that when it dries out it tends to stick the tyre to the rim making it very difficult to break the bead should the tyre need removing at a later date.

I think your problem with getting the tyre on is, as XS says, that the side already on the rim needs to be in the recess in the centre of the rim. Working at home I usually put the wheel on an old tyre which helps to protect the disc, and I kneel on the tyre being fitted which pushes it down into the well and then lever the tyre on in small chunks using two mp tyre levers. How easily it goes on depends to some extent on the tyre and the temperature ( leaving the tyre in the sun for a while can make a big difference). Lube can help as well although can also cause the tyre levers to slide around too much. The main use for the lube is to help the tyre seat on the bead when it is inflated.
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Old 18 Jun 2016
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Cheers fellas - I'll put the tire in the sun for a bit - theres not much here at the moment so might have to get a hair dryer onto it for 10 mins or so
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Old 25 Jun 2016
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Bead buddy from Adventure Spec will greatly assist in keeping the tyre in the centre of the rim well. Won't help you now but will in the future.

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Old 26 Jun 2016
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One last tip, apart from lots of soapy water, is the way you put the tyre on the rim when you've got an inner tube inserted. You don't want to pinch the tube or disturb the valve so make sure you start on the opposite side the valve and finish with the tyre levers either side of the valve. Once you've got the tyre past the 10 past 10 or 10 to 2 ( clock face) position on the rim it should quite easily pop over without getting the levers too close to the valve.
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