Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Tech
Seating the bead ,middle of nowhere Seating the bead ,middle of nowhere
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Tech ALL bikes: "Generic" tech questions and answers. Maintenance, general discussions etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree3Likes
  • 1 Post By AliBaba
  • 1 Post By AndyT
  • 1 Post By Nigel Marx

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 15 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penela, Portugal
Posts: 73
Seating the bead ,middle of nowhere
Hi,

I've just had a struggle seating the bead on a tubed tyre. The thought has occurred to me , what do you do if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere on a trip and you can't get the bead seated ?

Thanks for any advice
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 15 Jan 2014
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
With some soap, a clean rim and a good pump it can always be done.
If not it will probably seat after a few kms.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 15 Jan 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Mimbres, New Mexico, USA
Posts: 510
Quote:
Originally Posted by AliBaba View Post
If not it will probably seat after a few kms.
...and if it doesn't, just ride slowly until you get to a convenient place to take it apart again and polish the rim. I have found that if I take a scotchbrite wheel on a drill a polish the hump on the rim that the tire needs to pop over, when I am fitting new tires at home, that it will still be smooth enough to allow the bead to seat for a couple tire changes on the road.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 15 Jan 2014
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by jqd05a View Post
Hi,
I've just had a struggle seating the bead on a tubed tyre. The thought has occurred to me , what do you do if you're stuck in the middle of nowhere on a trip and you can't get the bead seated ?
Thanks for any advice
A tube tire does not require the bead to be 100% seated to ride.
As Andy T says, just air it up, ride on. Very tough to 100% seat the bead with a crappy bicycle hand pump, depending on tire type and state of rim.

You need at least 15 PSI to ride the bike, maybe 20 PSI for a heavy twin. When you get somewhere with a good compressor, then deflate tire,, make sure tube is evenly placed in tire, apply tire lube on tire bead and rim edge, re-inflate with compressor. Proper tire lube really works well.
(better than WD40 or dish washing liquid)

The bead should Pop somewhere between 50 and 80 PSI. A good, fresh tube is a good idea too. Also, as mentioned, riding can sometimes allow the bead to fully seat. On road you may feel a bump bump bump going down the road with an unseated bead. No worries, just get it fully seated when you can.

More common problems are guys who've never changed a tire or don't have good tire irons and are not sure how to use them. I carry 3 irons. Practice at home. It's hard work but gets easier as your technique improves.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Jan 2014
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Penela, Portugal
Posts: 73
Thanks very much for the replies guys Some really good tips there.

Thanks again
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 17 Jan 2014
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
Tubeless
If you're trying to get a tubeless tyre to seat enough to get air into it and it won't, then wrap a tie-down around the centre of the tyre. This will help force the beads into the edge of the rim and make it hold air.

Cheers

Nigel in NZ
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 17 Jan 2014
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
Lubrication and pressure... Both are required.

You can also bounce the tyre against the pavement OPPOSITE where tyre won't seat...

Having a clean, polished rim certainly helps a lot too...
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Seating a stuck bead jjrider Tech 4 24 Jun 2013 08:47
Tyre Levers/Irons, bead breakers, which ones??? holodragon Tech 11 21 Jun 2013 17:10
Excellent Bead Breaker Tim Wood Equipment Reviews 5 27 Sep 2012 17:41
popping the bead when installing tyres . . nath23 Kawasaki Tech 0 5 Jun 2012 00:37

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 17:42.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top