Essential tools to remove/fit tyres and tubes

[Bonez]

I want my Mummy!!"

There's always one. Aint cell phones handy?

[Posh Tourer :P]

Also helps to leave the tyre in the sun for a bit to warm and soften it, and when you try to fit the last bit or take off the first bit, clamp the opposite side together so the two lips of the tyre go down into the centre well, giving you more room on your side.

[Blakamin]

And if you are stuck with a flat in the middle of the Napier-Taihapi Rd?

Buggered if I'd ride around with tyre levers, mallet etc.... I have a can of "holts tyre weld" left under my seat by the previous owner (thanks). Hope I never have to use it but it beats walking. (other things under the seat are a can of "Inox" (like crc but it doesn't dry), the Ducati tool bag wif spare spark plug and my pre load adjuster... ohh, and my broken speedo cable (must throw that out one day))

[vifferman]

I've used nearly everything to lube the bead,brake fluid is also good

Wouldn't brake fluid wreck painted rims?

[Blakamin]

Wouldn't brake fluid wreck painted rims?

I keep hearing this about brake fluid.... modern brake fluid on modern paint does F*(* ALL!!!!!

i feel better now

[merv]

I'll stick with the soapy water that is sure to do no harm.

[Motu]

Wouldn't brake fluid wreck painted rims?

Painted rims? do you own a scooter?

[Bonez]

Buggered if I'd ride around with tyre levers, mallet etc....

Add a spare master link to the mix. Never needed it myself, but sure as hell have help folk that did.

[Bonez]

Buggered if I'd ride around with tyre levers, mallet etc....

Add a spare master link and a small first aid kit to the mix. Never needed them myself, but sure as hell have helped folk that did.

[erik]

Where's a good place to get tyre levers and tyre lube?

And do you guys balance your wheels after you change the tyres?

Interesting thread...

[Kickaha]

Buggered if I'd ride around with tyre levers, mallet etc.... I have a can of "holts tyre weld" left under my seat by the previous owner (thanks). Hope I never have to use it but it beats walking

I've been with two friends who got punctures and used similar stuff and if they hadn't had company they would have been walking as they went flat within a few Km's,seems to work better in tubeless tyres than tubed though.

On tour I always carry enough gear and a spare tube to be able to do a roadside repair,haven't needed it yet and hope I never will!

[Blakamin]

I've been with two friends who got punctures and used similar stuff and if they hadn't had company they would have been walking as they went flat within a few Km's,seems to work better in tubeless tyres than tubed though.

On tour I always carry enough gear and a spare tube to be able to do a roadside repair,haven't needed it yet and hope I never will!

Last long ride I went on (to hastings alone) all i took were my ciggies and a can of bourbon....

[Hitcher]

If I ever get a flat, I'll take my chances with AA roadside rescue. A 230kg motorbike with no mainstand is clearly built on the assumption that modern technology -- both the bike and tyre manufacturers' -- is sufficiently robust that the likelihood of Joe Rider ever wanting to have to remove a wheel in anger is zero, approximated to the nearest significant number (OK, I know zero isn't a number, but humour me for the purposes of my argument).

[merv]

Tyre Pando or Holts kinda spray can stuff does only work in tubeless tyres - tried it on my DR250 having got a flat just as I arrived into Picton one day - it was useless for a tubed tyre. So being a dirt bike and luckily I was at that end of the trip, rode onto the ferry and then rode it home on the flat tyre anyway. That's why we have the security clamps or rim locks or bead locks or whatever you want to call them on the dirt bikes so the tyre stays fastened to the rim.

Only flat I've had on the VFR was just after I had new tyres fitted, was blatting over the 'tukas and thought gee its getting lively at the rear - thought "damn must have bought to soft a tyre and I'm melting it". Kept riding anyway to Featherston and stopped at the gas station and found a nail or something must have poked a hole in the tyre - hole was there, no nail, because if the nail stays in a tubeless tyre it goes down slowly. Anyway, gas station guy had the old string style puncture repair and we fixed it then and there and I continued on my ride and then got Sawyers to pug it properly once I got back.

Moral of that story is I now carry a string style plug kit with me - you can do instant repairs on the side of the road on tubeless tyres. The officials I think scorn on these things now so once you get home you get the permanent plug repair done which requires removing the tyre from the rim.

Like Hitcher I always have my AA card with me just in case too.

[Blakamin]

If I ever get a flat, I'll take my chances with AA roadside rescue. A 230kg motorbike with no mainstand is clearly built on the assumption that modern technology -- both the bike and tyre manufacturers' -- is sufficiently robust that the likelihood of Joe Rider ever wanting to have to remove a wheel in anger is zero, approximated to the nearest significant number (OK, I know zero isn't a number, but humour me for the purposes of my argument).

thats another good point! I wouldnt want my Ducs weight all on my stand. due to stand bolted to engine casing!
could be a very expensive lesson!
next time I'll take 2 bourbons... just in case I have to wait