How to fix a flat tyre???
 

Hi,

I'm already thinking about my summer holiday of 2010.
Now i have some questions about the tyres:
How to fix a flat tyre?
What tools should i need?

I searched the TT site, but that didn't make it any easier.


Is there some kind of how to ... with pictures?

There is a bloke who has posted some stuff on YouTube about how to remove and replace a tyre, that's a good place to start.

Otherwise, it's about practice realy, and hope,



The best way to fix a flat, is to avoid it in the first place. I mean by looking at where you are riding, the lines, avoiding road debris where you can, avoidig pinch punctures when you're off road etc. Although it can still happen.. and does,, when you can least afford the time..

However, you need to get to grips with this yourself,

Sit yourself down in the garage ( a can of beer or hot coffee is good too),

And remove your wheel,
with a pair of tyre (or three if you preffer) tyre irons and rim protectors, remove the tyre (use the You TUbe vids to help),
then put it all back together.

Whilst you are doing this write down all the tools you use -> that's how you find out what you need on the road !

Alternativly, forget about it and make sure you have auto-assistance (RAC & AA here in the UK) backup who will come along and do it for you.

You have many options;

1: use Slime in the tubes and hope that the puncture is fixed by the liquid which actually works quite well.

2. Take a spare tube for definate on a trip! I had a puncture and ook the wheel, tyre and tube out to find it has broken in 2 so no repair kit would fix that.

3. Remove the rear wheel - remove valve centre - break bead - press the tyre into the rim centre each side - attach rim protectors - put lever in between rim and tyre and lever - hold lever in place and insert 2nd lever and gently work around until tyre is outside the rim - pull out tube - run hand inside checking for what caused the puncture - insert new tube - lever tyre back on and inflate.

Tools: 2 rim protectors - 2 levers (flat type with no raised edges) - 1 valve core remover - tyre inflator (�4:99 from garages)

If your repairing the tube do it another day and simply find the hole - sandpaper it a little and apply glue - once it feels dry apply path and chalk after.

I break the bead by using a small G Clamp.

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?im...a%3DN%26um%3D1

As stated, practice 1st a few times.

tips:

Front tire is a lot easier than rear, 17" wheels are dificult.

A front tube is suitaboe for a rewr wheel as emergency.

IMHO , slime and other liquids are almost useless.

A center stand will help you A LOT.

have fun,

j.

Thanks for all the reply's.

It's always hard to avoid getting a puncture, but i try it as much as possible.
Drove thru glass a few times, stupid cars crashing in middle of a junction.

I'm familiar with fixing tyres on my bicycle, not much different as i just noticed.
The only thing i don't understand is breaking the bead? How can i break it? (on my bicycle i didn't need to break it, i think:P)
Or am i just misunderstanding it because of the translating?

Might not a bad idea to try it when im still at home.

I already have a center stand and i also got a tubeless tyre repair kit (co2 canisters + sharp tool + slimy cords).
I also got assistance that will cover Europe, so i could always get help.

You do it on your bicycle too, .... with your hands ;), it is a lot harder on a bike, and even harder on small (17") wheels.

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload...0DIY/x2-01.jpg

On the field, of you are not alone, you may use another bike side stand as breaker

http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u.../Mexico551.jpg


Your tubeless repair stuff is useless on a tube type tire :(
Have fun,

j.

hi, the bead breaking bit is the dificult bit. if you are in a group simply use a sidestand and the weight of another bike to push the bead into the rim well. if on your own it's a bit harder, i used to stamp on the lever when it's in the appropiate position and move it along until it's tyre is free.
i guess you will need to practice in the comfort of your own space to find out how to do it as it's one more skill you never want use but a huge help if you need to

j beat me to it!

Break the bead using a g clamp its alot safer....

Nelis

I have changed a good few tubes in my time and i cant say i have ever had any trouble with the bead breaking.

Heres my tuppenys worth

Remove said wheel from bike, remove valve from tube.
lay wheel on ground preferably with something under the center to stop crap
getting into the bearings. Undo rim Lock if applicable, bounce on tyre with both feet and work around the tyre until rim is broken. Use tyre levers to carefully remove tyre, i would normally get about 1/3 of the way around and then pull the tyre off of the rim by hand.Remove tube, Replace or repair tube.

Now before i put the tube back in some powder or chalk on the tube helps, inflate the tube slightly and put it back into the tyre. The difficult part here is getting the valve back in place there is a tool which threads through the hole in the rim and will srew into the valve threads to help with this. Replace valve if tool is used and slightly inflate tyre.

Now time to put the tyre back on the rim this is where you may just repuncture the tyre if you are not carefull. work the tyre onto the rim, once the tyre is on put a little soap if at home or water/ suncream whatever on the tyre on the side you have just worked on.

Now inflate the tube but i always go high to start with to seat the tyre on the rim. if the tyre does not set properly i have picked up the wheel/tyre and bounced it where it needs to set the tyre in place. once its in place check and adjust pressures to suit and put wheel back on bike.

Another thing we used to do as we did not have center stands is one of the guys would use the side stand and rock the bike onto the opposite wheel and hole while the other guy removed the wheel and repaired. But you do need 2 guys and the guy holding the bike needs to be patient LOL

Cheers

Jim

I can't find any on youtube, got any links?

I will also ask the dealer, how he does.