Vintage Veloce 21 Posted January 14, 2020 Ok, I'm just not very good at this. I've watched a zillion videos, read directions, etc. I even posted directions on my own blog, just so I have them handy when I change the tire myself!: https://www.vintageveloce.com/2014/02/detailed-tire-changing-directions-how.html I just changed the rear tire on my KTM, a new Pirelli Scorpion XC Mid Hard 110/100-18. Darn, I have a hard time with it. I do it myself because I want to know how to do it... but I'll be in a nightmare if I have to fix a flat on the trail. New tire, new tube, baby powder, lube, a couple minutes cleaning and checking the directions an torque. In my own garage: took me 90 minutes! I've watched the videos with motocross tires, and it looks like those tires are made of soft bubble gum. Mine just don't go on like that. I want to watch someone experienced do this, with a stiff XCMH. (And yes I know about getting the tire in the down in the drop center!) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Covered in Dust 162 Posted January 14, 2020 Summertime put tire in the sun, winter a heat gun is your friend. I have supervised many a flat repair on the trail. CiD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vintage Veloce 21 Posted January 14, 2020 I did put it in the sun today... so it wasn't "cold" but it wasn't really warm either. Like getting the valve in: reaching in one side of the tire would pull the tire up toward the side with my hand. This meant the far side of the tire pulled in, actually past the hole so that the hole was no longer reachable inside the tire. I can't imagine having strong enough fingers to push the far side of the tire out of the way! I ended up just getting lucky when the valve accidentally fell in the hole with my hand out of there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADV Bum 205 Posted January 14, 2020 45 minutes ago, Vintage Veloce said: Like getting the valve in: reaching in one side of the tire would pull the tire up toward the side with my hand. This meant the far side of the tire pulled in, actually past the hole so that the hole was no longer reachable inside the tire. I can't imagine having strong enough fingers to push the far side of the tire out of the way! I ended up just getting lucky when the valve accidentally fell in the hole with my hand out of there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bagstr 287 Posted January 14, 2020 Bring it In The House and locate it near the return or supply duct.. Windex. It is not supposed to be fun. All the videos show a front with no rim lock in sight. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vintage Veloce 21 Posted January 14, 2020 27 minutes ago, Bagstr said: It is not supposed to be fun. ! Generally I like maintenance. But I've got to get better at this. 29 minutes ago, Bagstr said: All the videos show a front with no rim lock in sight. Interestingly true! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted January 14, 2020 Its really more fun (torture) with friends (hecklers) standing around helping (torturing) you in the wonderful (hot) outdoors. It really does get easier with practice. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Champ 116 Posted January 14, 2020 Just ride with someone like Bike slut, he will get tired of watching you and take over and be done in just a minute or two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Riggerdan 147 Posted January 14, 2020 When you become good at it....I've got a couple that need some changing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bikeslut 1 Posted January 14, 2020 32 minutes ago, Uncle Champ said: Just ride with someone like Bike slut, he will get tired of watching you and take over and be done in just a minute or two. Yeah... ...but then he would have to ride with somebody like me Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mikey777 44 Posted January 14, 2020 Feeling your pain. The Maxxcross Desert IT rear is an bitch to put on. The sidewalls are very stiff and inevitably your rim is going to get scratched up. I find it easier just to go slow, use a bead buddy, and take small bites with the irons when you get to the last part of getting the last 8 - 10" of lip of the tire under the rim. Changing a tube in the field is not nearly as bad has having to mount the tire. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TexasDualler 32 Posted January 14, 2020 14 hours ago, ADV Bum said: Whoa. Never seen one of these before. That thing would probably drop my swear word count by 10 when changing tires. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vintage Veloce 21 Posted January 14, 2020 34 minutes ago, TexasDualler said: Whoa. Never seen one of these before. That thing would probably drop my swear word count by 10 when changing tires. I actually tried one a couple years ago... and it didn't work as well as I hoped. But I keep it around, just in case. 😉 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wierdrider 187 Posted January 14, 2020 I have no suggestions Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted January 15, 2020 I cheat and use the Baja No Pinch tool. I too have watched others/videos/etc and I still end up taking a long time. My solution is the B NP. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vintage Veloce 21 Posted January 16, 2020 8 hours ago, TrophyHunter said: I cheat and use the Baja No Pinch tool. I too have watched others/videos/etc and I still end up taking a long time. My solution is the B NP. Be careful with that thing... I'd at least file down the sharp edge. My review here: https://www.vintageveloce.com/2014/12/baja-no-pinch-tire-tool-review.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulmbowers 236 Posted January 16, 2020 On 1/14/2020 at 8:05 AM, bikeslut said: Yeah... ...but then he would have to ride with somebody like me A not insignificant penalty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TrophyHunter 15 Posted January 16, 2020 3 hours ago, Vintage Veloce said: Be careful with that thing... I'd at least file down the sharp edge. My review here: https://www.vintageveloce.com/2014/12/baja-no-pinch-tire-tool-review.html Good info - thx. I used it on a couple of tires - DR650 rears, and a Mitas E-07 set on my Tiger. No issues, but I will def blunt the edges. Appreciate it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Covered in Dust 162 Posted January 16, 2020 This is a good video on tire changing. This is the way I’ve been doing it for years. I use hand sanitizer for lube just because it’s cheap and dries up quickly. https://www.dirtrider.com/videos/how-to-change-a-motorcycle-tire/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR02jyri81-6amBXPtYSRazOG9YK4Yq3yxdxA8wheFW_70U_eU7Mcscu12M CiD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites