Not so smooth sailing mounting front tire

[CRXDrew]

I decided to DIY my tire mounting. It was actually VERY easy up until the very last few inches of the new tire install. I am using 2 large flat screw drivers and I just can't get past the last 6 inches.

tips? Tricks? I'm all out of my own.

Too late in the scratch department, already scratched the outer lip a few times.... looks like my plans to paint my bike to color match my car may just happen. 

[makenzie71]

If you've only got 6 or so inches left and it's not slipping on then the tire's lip is probably seated on the other end.  You want to avoid this.  Pop that side of the tire back off and start over.  This time take a wrag and wet it with either diesel or WD40 and wipe the sealing and interior lips of the tire.  this time while trying to mount the tire be sure to keep the portion that's already over the wheel in the center groove...you'll never get it on if you don't do this.

[CRXDrew]

 

to you sir.

Damnit.... 5 minutes after reading your post I got it..... Seriously.... thank you.


I'm an idiot for not asking for help earlier.... and now I have a scratched wheel lip to show for it. 

[rangerbrown]

so how do you paln to balance

[werase643]

who cares

1-3 oz....

[bbanjo]

who cares

1-3 oz....

I wondered about that too when my cousin and I mounted my sport demon on the back wheel and I didn't fret putting wheights on it. A few thousand miles later I have not noticed any inbalance in anything except my motor at 5k rpms. The tire is bueno.

[werase643]

i'd like to ride a modern bike where you could notice the difference in the tire balance.....
at 50-80 mph no
at 120-150 yes

i haven't balanced a street tire in.....at least 10 yrs

[corndog67]

I don't recommend using diesel fuel, either.  I use hand cleaner, non gritty style, and you can usually stomp the tire on.  I generally don't balance them either, I don't ride at 130 all the time anymore. 

[rangerbrown]

humm, i may put my own tire on now. that will save me big bucks

[CRXDrew]

no balancing here.

Just got done riding it around town ... no vibrations under 50. I'll take it on the highway maybe tomorrow.

Soapy water did the trick. Just got a pitcher and some dish soap. After trying to use my plug in tire compressor I decided to bite the bullet and pay the 50 cents. Gas station air compressor got it after a lil bit of bouncing/swearing/soaping. A nice lil *FUMP* - *FUMP* was my reward after the two beads seated.

[makenzie71]

Some people say not to use petroleum products when mounting the tires, but I've yet to use anything that allows for easier install or better seal.  In all my years of mounting tires I've yet to experience an ill effect.

As far as balancing, if you must have a balanced then you need to buy a new set of bearings.  Then pull the seals off the old bearings and go find a couple of cinderblocks or saw horses or something.  Put your old bearings in the wheel, then put the axle through, and place the ends of the axle on the cinderblocks so that the wheel can spin freely.  It will naturally rotate until the heaviest part is down.  Then place your weight at the "up" end.  Start with half ounce weights.

[makenzie71]

I'm an idiot for not asking for help earlier.... and now I have a scratched wheel lip to show for it. 

Don't sweat it.  This is called experience in the Real World.

[rangerbrown]

Some people say not to use petroleum products when mounting the tires, but I've yet to use anything that allows for easier install or better seal.  In all my years of mounting tires I've yet to experience an ill effect.

As far as balancing, if you must have a balanced then you need to buy a new set of bearings.  Then pull the seals off the old bearings and go find a couple of cinderblocks or saw horses or something.  Put your old bearings in the wheel, then put the axle through, and place the ends of the axle on the cinderblocks so that the wheel can spin freely.  It will naturally rotate until the heaviest part is down.  Then place your weight at the "up" end.  Start with half ounce weights.

yep. just make sure the table (cinderblocks or saw horses )  is level on all sides

[CRXDrew]

I'm an idiot for not asking for help earlier.... and now I have a scratched wheel lip to show for it. 

Don't sweat it.  This is called experience in the Real World.

Yea... as much as its gonna upset some people I think the GS is gonna have to lose the Candy Red paint. Might end up painting the bike to match the car.... could be pretty sweet, who needs variety when its a chance to coordinate 

[Alphamazing]

I'm an idiot for not asking for help earlier.... and now I have a scratched wheel lip to show for it. 

Don't sweat it.  This is called experience in the Real World.

Yea... as much as its gonna upset some people I think the GS is gonna have to lose the Candy Red paint. Might end up painting the bike to match the car.... could be pretty sweet, who needs variety when its a chance to coordinate 

If the wheels aren't white, polish the lips. Mmmmmmm.

[CRXDrew]

hmm.. polished lip?

I was thinking bronze with red wheel tape on a black bike. Depending on how the wheel tape looks I might have to get some wheel tape for the car. 

[Alphamazing]

hmm.. polished lip?

I was thinking bronze with red wheel tape on a black bike. Depending on how the wheel tape looks I might have to get some wheel tape for the car. 

Not sure how well red rim tape will look on bronze wheels. You could polish the lips on the bronze wheels too. Maybe it's me, but I really like how it looks.

[CRXDrew]

man... this thread is way off topic but 


I think a red lip would work.... maybe I'm just crazy. I'll go get a variety pack of colored electrical tape and report back the results lol.

[makenzie71]

praise Jesus you're not one of those morons who thinks 6-spoke wheels look good on cars...

[CRXDrew]

praise Jesus you're not one of those morons who thinks 6-spoke wheels look good on cars...

Negative. 12lbs wheels + sticky wide tires