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Avoiding rim damage on tyre change Avoiding rim damage on tyre change
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #16  
Old 25 Jun 2009
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Originally Posted by RicTS View Post
Hmmm not sure why that's the case, if you use a bead breaker or on iron to push down the tyre into the well, you can get the protector in no problems, the first couple tugs are normally where the most damage occurs.

Also, make sure your tyre irons are flat where they press on the rim, a dose of WD40 (which I use) or washing up liquid (which I don't use) makes stuff a bit slippier.

Obviously, if you're changing tyres a lot.... get a tyre changing rig, better than scrabbling about.

RTS
Your right, in many cases you can get the protector on.. But when the rim is very narrow and the tyre bead is thick or the tyre larger than recommended, it can be impossible to get one of those thick plastic protectors on. The 2 sets I have need to be pursuaded to get on the rim with rocking etc... More hasel than they're worth.
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  #17  
Old 26 Jun 2009
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Tire changing
Right now I use a few of the plastic rim protectors and I keep a handfull of short pieces of innertube around. I pop the first part of the bead off with the plastic protector then use the chunks of inner tube for the rest. I use the michelin type irons. I have been using dish soap for years with no problems. I usally change three to five tires per week.
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  #18  
Old 13 Jul 2009
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Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Better still - invest in a pair of MICHELIN Motorcycle Tyre Lever MOTO - 380mm (15").
Sounds a bit OTT for trailriding, touring or RTW trip.

I use a pair of older levers 6.5" long. Honest question, does the damage done to the rims by using tyre levers actually effect anything? If it's just cosmetic surely the best solution to the problem is to ignore it. The rims on my bike are battered to ****.
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  #19  
Old 13 Jul 2009
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Originally Posted by Nath View Post
Sounds a bit OTT for trailriding, touring or RTW trip.
.
Depends on the tyre/rim combo. I've had 19-inch fronts that once assembled with proper lube allowed a puncture to be changed with a tea spoon. I've met a Moto Guzzi 16" rear that wasn't lubed in Italy and had a bead that almost defeated the angle grinder never mind levers/G-clamps/a bead breaker. If you were planing on buying tyres without waiting for the DHL guy, you might not get a choice and hence longer could well be better.

Andy
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  #20  
Old 13 Jul 2009
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Originally Posted by Nath View Post
Sounds a bit OTT for trailriding, touring or RTW trip.

I use a pair of older levers 6.5" long. Honest question, does the damage done to the rims by using tyre levers actually effect anything? If it's just cosmetic surely the best solution to the problem is to ignore it. The rims on my bike are battered to ****.
My sentiments exactly.....
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  #21  
Old 13 Jul 2009
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Well the cosmetic side of things is a slight issue - why damage something if you don't have to? It was far more to do with causing actual damage to the alloy I was worried about though. Dents in the rim can't be a good thing for tyre life!
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  #22  
Old 29 Aug 2009
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Well despite everyone's best advice, it took me two hours to fit my K60 this afternoon, and I scratched the rims to buggery.

Gave up being careful after the first hour. And I was using 380mm tyre levers too!

Of course, the second time I did the rear tyre having fitted it backwards, it only took me ten minutes, but by then evrything - including me - was coated in silicone grease!


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