Removing a tire, am I stupid or is it hard to do?

Guillaume Bergeron /

Jun 01, 2005 05:54PM

hi everyone.

I'm switching tires on a moped to another, and the tire is REALLY hard to remove.

I have bought a bicycle tire lever kit, there was 2 kind, one in plastic, the other in metal, i choosed the plastic one because i thought it would not scratch my rim if i did something wrong... Well, the platic was pretty hard, i thnk it would have been strong enough for a bicycle, but when i tryed, after applying some force, the lever broke.

I dont think i would have been able even with metal ones.

Do you have any techniques? What kind of tools do you use? Should it be REALLY hard? How many levers do you use?

I'm feeling kind of stupid, but i had to ask.

Also, the tire is brand new, but it has been on a moped, outside, for YEARS...it's not dryrotted, but i'm starting to think that it gor harder with years.

Anyway, give me your techniques.

thanks

g.b.

Re: Removing a tire, am I stupid or is it hard to

Frank Garland /

frankman6

Jun 01, 2005 06:04PM

Get the steel motorcycle type levers and let the tires sit in the sun to get the rubber soft. Some tire changes are more difficult. Three levers should be sufficient.

Re: Removing a tire, am I stupid or is it hard to

Silverfox Sullivan /

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silverfox

Jun 01, 2005 06:32PM

I agree. Three motorcycle type levers are the way to go. Get the longest ones you can find.

Let the air out of the tires and then put a little back in. This is to keep the tube semi-inflated so when you stick the tire irons in the tube will not get pinched. Apply soapy water all the way around both sides and add more as it dries out.

Break the bead all the way around on both sides by squeezing the sides of the tire together. Use a milk crate and work the tire off one side and then pull the tube out.

Good luck

Re: Removing a tire, am I stupid or is it hard to

Joe Woods /

joew

Jun 01, 2005 07:53PM

yeah.. i carry the little steel bars for roadside emergencies.. in the shop i use big ol' levers. Grind and polish any sharp edges if you're concerned about rim damage or puncturing a inner tube. Wrap the lever's shank with tape.

Some tire beads are slightly smaller than others and are harder to get on and off a rim. But some tires go on so easily it's almost scary.

As far as soap, i dont use it. It stays slippery forever. Friction is all that prevents a tire from spinning around the rim. Tire installer places use something thats slippery at first but then dries to a tacky glue-like stuff.