Setting tire bead
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,236
Likes: 95
From: lancaster, pa
had same problem,did the same things,even a shop was scratching there heads, it was a long time ago, I put a inner tube in it problem solved.
(there is an old wise tail that it could over heat though)
(there is an old wise tail that it could over heat though)
Last edited by voodoodrug; Jun 27, 2015 at 07:21 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 767
Likes: 54
From: San Antonio, TX
starter or brake cleaner spray will do the trick, like others said, not too much, just a spray into the tire, butane lighter to the rim and woosh, it'll pop the bead on asap, so keep fingers clear. once on pull valve core and air it up and down a couple times good to go.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: NoVA
I've encountered a few that were particularly difficult to bead. Is one side beading and then just not riding all the the any up the other side, or is it just not holding enough air to get the bead to want to set at all?
In the first case, lube it good, put the air to it and give it time ... A mallet whack sometimes helps, too (you have already ... I read it!)
In the second case, cut a length of garden hose to exactly the diameter of the rim bead and stuff it between the tire and bead on one side (lube it well!) and put the air to it ... The other side will bead .... Then, start removing the hose (watch your fingers!) and the bead will set as it push s the hose out ... Or, drop the air once one side beads, remove hose and put the air back ... Pushing the tire toward the non-beaded side will help ...
Years ago, we always used starting fluid and a match to set tires on big truck split rims ... I never successfully beaded a motorcycle tire that way ... I also never seriously risked burning down the motorcycle shop ... :-\
In the first case, lube it good, put the air to it and give it time ... A mallet whack sometimes helps, too (you have already ... I read it!)
In the second case, cut a length of garden hose to exactly the diameter of the rim bead and stuff it between the tire and bead on one side (lube it well!) and put the air to it ... The other side will bead .... Then, start removing the hose (watch your fingers!) and the bead will set as it push s the hose out ... Or, drop the air once one side beads, remove hose and put the air back ... Pushing the tire toward the non-beaded side will help ...
Years ago, we always used starting fluid and a match to set tires on big truck split rims ... I never successfully beaded a motorcycle tire that way ... I also never seriously risked burning down the motorcycle shop ... :-\
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 10
From: Seminole County, FL
I've encountered a few that were particularly difficult to bead. Is one side beading and then just not riding all the the any up the other side, or is it just not holding enough air to get the bead to want to set at all?
In the first case, lube it good, put the air to it and give it time ... A mallet whack sometimes helps, too (you have already ... I read it!)
In the second case, cut a length of garden hose to exactly the diameter of the rim bead and stuff it between the tire and bead on one side (lube it well!) and put the air to it ... The other side will bead .... Then, start removing the hose (watch your fingers!) and the bead will set as it push s the hose out ... Or, drop the air once one side beads, remove hose and put the air back ... Pushing the tire toward the non-beaded side will help ...
Years ago, we always used starting fluid and a match to set tires on big truck split rims ... I never successfully beaded a motorcycle tire that way ... I also never seriously risked burning down the motorcycle shop ... :-\
In the first case, lube it good, put the air to it and give it time ... A mallet whack sometimes helps, too (you have already ... I read it!)
In the second case, cut a length of garden hose to exactly the diameter of the rim bead and stuff it between the tire and bead on one side (lube it well!) and put the air to it ... The other side will bead .... Then, start removing the hose (watch your fingers!) and the bead will set as it push s the hose out ... Or, drop the air once one side beads, remove hose and put the air back ... Pushing the tire toward the non-beaded side will help ...
Years ago, we always used starting fluid and a match to set tires on big truck split rims ... I never successfully beaded a motorcycle tire that way ... I also never seriously risked burning down the motorcycle shop ... :-\
What is the proper Fuel air ratio? Am I running too rich? WTF?
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 5
From: Central Calif
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 10
From: Seminole County, FL
Finally!
In this case, the stem needed to be out to allow combustion air in.
I sprayed some near the stem and with the residue from previous attempts, it popped on and it's tighter than a bulls bunghole in fly season!!
Thanks for all the replies, and always keep a can of starting fluid on the shelf!
In this case, the stem needed to be out to allow combustion air in.
I sprayed some near the stem and with the residue from previous attempts, it popped on and it's tighter than a bulls bunghole in fly season!!
Thanks for all the replies, and always keep a can of starting fluid on the shelf!
