I decided to try changing a tire for the first time, I usually just take off the wheel and take it to a dealer to have a new tire mounted and balanced, but decided to try doing it all, I'll use Dyna Beads for balancing. I got everything I think i need , watched a few YouTube videos and ready except for one question I can't find an answer on line.

When they say check for imperfections on the bead, how smooth should it bead? I am using the Dunlop Wide White Walls and notice the beads don't look all that smooth and even have paper thin slivers of white dangling, should they be sanded smooth or am I being too critical? I can post a picture if need be.


thanks in advance,


joe

thanks in advance

 

I've always changed my own and breaking the bead loose became the hardest part especially with cast wheels and the rear tires have the run flat beads now. But for me, doing it myself is just part of the deal and I bought an antique bead breaker but have yet to use an actual tire changer. It's a hard job and I feel like the "monkey and football" everytime. You'll probably wish you'd taken the wheel in by the time it's over to be honest.

I'd imagine looking for bead imperfections refers to a used tire that may have been gouged or cut on the bead when removed and may not seal as a tubeless. Lube the beads well and leave out the schrader valve when airing it up initially and make sure the beads come all the way out on the wheel. If they don't in a spot or 2, break it loose again, re-lube and air it up again. Don't exceed 50 psi trying to "pop" the bead out.

Have fun

 

I got an old arbor press made by Famco Co. out of Racine Wi back in the 40's when men were men Weighs about 200 #'s has a 12 in opening with a 1in square press Talk about psi The beads on the HD tires see what's coming and just pop loose ! I have been known to put 100 psi into tires to pop the beads Most customers ran out of the shop after 70 psig Oh well I didn't like people hanging around anyhow Dish soap also helped pop the beads

 

Ooo-ooo, bumper jack and a truck not good enough for us, eh? Gotta use a bead breaker, eh?

My friend just bought a really nice tire changer. He didn't want the HF cheapo, so went with some $4-500 kind. He says in 10 years of tires, he'll be even. We bolted it down to his garage floor last weekend. (I had the hammer drill.) I've done 16" tires by hand when I had to (that is, no $), and screwed up some 19" front tires by hand.

 

I used a manual changer when I worked in a tire store nearly half a century ago. Not paying attention, I over inflated a 8.25 x 14 and blew the side wall out throwing me 10 feet and couldn't hear for 3 days with my right ear... we used hammer and chisels on concrete back then and used a propane torch to melt lead wheel weights for the anchor bolts.

But yes, I'm getting soft and sorry in my old age

 

These are the best tire changing videos I have seen. It works like a charm. He also does one on balancing that looks good, but I just used DynoBeads, so can't give a true assessment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pfp2Z9k0n0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AerHAYs435s

Those rim protectors are just the sides of orange juice jugs. They work great and are the essential part of the process. Just ensure the bead is evenly set all the way around the wheel.

Hope this helps.

 

About 1982, I brought my Lotus Europa into a tire shop in the San Fernando Valley for new tires. 205-60/13's, which are about unobtainium today. Anyway, the wheels' center hole was too small for the tire machines. They went all manual on them. The first one took them about 2 hours to do, with like 4 guys working on it. Then about 10am this Mexican guy that was about 60 and didn't speak any English came in to work. He did the other 3 by himself in about an hour. It's a little unnerving watching some guy sling a 10+ lb sledge hammer on your tire with all he has behind it to break the bead, but he never touched the wheel with it. He'd probably been doing it that way his whole life.

 

Memories How's this Back in 82 leaving the grand canyon in pa I had a rear flat on my 79 FLH Yes these were the famous GoodYear speed grip tires (20K miles and no wear on the tread !!! tires but don't get caught in the rain ) Got the tire off (we stacked 30 leather jackets to lay it over (great MC club ) It took a 4x4 to drive on the tire to pop one side loose (I always carried a tube **** they call it ) Well got the bike on the road and home I had to use a band saw to cut the bead off the rim Are you all sleeping yet ?

 

Yeah, they would wear out a Panhead engine and the frame.... there ain't nothing a cheese rancher from PA can't do!

Did they look like this George?

 

Sort of, Rufus, but with white walls. I had a 1979 FLH Classic POS (piece of shiite) with those. Of course, a trip to Sturgis in '86 on that bitch is exactly why I now own a 1986 FLHT Evo, which I bought the day after I got back to Texas.