Simple question about tire changing
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Simple question about tire changing
2016 Road Glide. I'm changing my back tire, installing an Avon. I like that I can examine everything and clean it up in that area as well.
My question is simple; do I need to put anything on the bead to keep it sealed? Will it seal as well as it always did before?
My question is simple; do I need to put anything on the bead to keep it sealed? Will it seal as well as it always did before?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
I have some pretty good tools to break and install, just wondering about the bead sealing. Ive seen issues with car tires. The soapy water to help install is a good tip. Thanks for the replies.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I've installed several Avons, none had the balance dot. What I did (still do with any tire) is mount the tire but before seating the bead put it on a static balancer and move the tire around the rim till you find the least out of balance spot, mark the tire and rim so you can put it back if the tire slips and then seat the bead. If the rim was perfectly balanced, it wouldn't make much difference, but on some of mine it did. Finding the most out of balance position for the tire can mean less weights, if you use those, and I've had a couple tires that balanced well just finding the right position of tire on rim.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,735
Likes: 1,178
From: Jamestown, CA
I just take my tire and wheel in to a bike shop , not a dealer and they put it on and balance it for like 25 bucks
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 405
From: Cedar BC
As long as the bead area of the wheel is smooth and clean, shouldn't need anything to help seal. I'm a thousand or so miles up the coast from you, put an new pair of Avons on a set of 15 year old wheels myself in the spring and they didn't lose much if any air all season. You should be just fine.