Fail

[gregory]

Got a flat on the Africa Twin on the front. Figured it was a great excuse to convince the wife I needed to change out 90/10 stock tires that are only a 1000 miles old with 50 50 Shinkos.

First self tire change. Need to learn to do this if we are going to Alaska next summer Read all I could, watched all the youtube videos, got all the tools, tire balancer, tire weights, talked to people, man I was ready.

Spoon the tire off with my new motion pro badass T-nine billion and 80 aluminum tire tools, not too bad I think, hey, I can really do this. Take the fresh tire outta the sun, nice and pliable. Spoon that bitch on and BAM. can not for the life of me, get the ******* valve stem through the hole. Nope. Nada, not happening. Wish I bought that valve stem fishing tool that there was no way I needed. Called around, not one in town.

Tires are currently at Lee's Honda, where for $40, they will save my ass.

Those $1600 tubeless rims aint looking so bad at the moment.

**** me.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

You got that Super Wonderful Motion Pro two piece bead breaker tire spoon thingummy too? I am so ready to use that thing, I just hope I have a flat on the side of a hill with no shade and nothing to use for a stand and there need to be lots of stinging and biting bugs and maybe even snakes and scorpions to help me as I fight it.

You live and learn.

 

[Pterodactyl]

Tube tires are the spawn of the Devil. Ive informed Annie that if she has a flat on her F800GS while on the road, then she is on her own. It is bad enough doing it at home on a No Mar.

$1,600 is very steep. Have you checked with Woodys in Denver?

 

[stealth1]

Slip the stem through the rim before putting the first bead on . Eazy Peazy.

I learned that on YouTube watching motocrossers change tires. Never have to fish again!

Watch this guy. Installation starts at about 6:15 into the video. Stem goes in first.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/rm-rider-exchange/videos/how-to/dirt-bike/

Works great on my KLR.

 

[FJRay]

You just need to be a little smarter than the tube Greg

I do so many I guess I'm used to it but I do charge extra for tube types and even more it they have rim locks.

 

[dcarver]

Gregory, it's the 10% rule!

You can also move the stem by reaching inside the tire with tube already inside and only 1 bead on the rim. Tough on the knuckles, but can be done!

Passing through Redding tomorrow overnighting Rancho Cordova somewhere.

 

[enumclaw]

Pretty easy after you've done it a couple times; not so much when you're "under pressure" on the road.

Fwiw, did Alaska a few years ago with my son, up to Deadhorse, etc., no tire issues at all. BUT, I was ready. Check out adventure cycleworks in Fairbanks, awesome support for adv'ers out there.

 

[gregory]

Thanks for the advice all, I had reached the level of **** IT, so off I went to Lee's

I have not checked out Woodys, but they are on the list. The $1600 set is a purty anodized hub/hoop spoke deal that I saw on FB.

The tube tire was the only drawback to the AT, but tubeless are on the way at some point.

Carver, give ma a holler tomorrow, and maybe we can do some lunch.