Bead lube for tire change

[Cliff]

I have everything (hopefully) I need to do my tire change with one exception,,, I have been browsing the auto parts stores for some off the shelf bead lube>>> not finding any.  What is a good alternative that will not degrade the compound of the tire bead but still be slick enough to be worth using? 

[Joe Hummer]

I have always used a little household dish soap...straight up...on the tires I have put on/off the rim.  Washes right off once done. 

Joe

[Wildman]

I have heard that use of bead lube can cause a flat tire to de-bead.

Control of the bike decreases drastickly when a flat tire de-beads.

[Jay]

Windex.

[hubcapsc]

I have heard that use of bead lube can cause a flat tire to de-bead.

Control of the bike decreases drastickly when a flat tire de-beads.

I use this stuff...



It works great, but if you're slow (I'm slow) you have to use it several times during the mount/de-mount process to keep the tire slippery... I don't think it would still
be slippery (or in any way noticeably there) later when you get a flat...

-Mike "and don't google for this stuff  "

[1FAST6]

Yep!  I got mine at NAPA off the shelf.  As I recall it seemed a little expensive.  However, I lost it in the divorce and have gone back to using dish soap...

[hubcapsc]

Yep!  I got mine at NAPA off the shelf.  As I recall it seemed a little expensive.  However, I lost it in the divorce and have gone back to using dish soap...

I used to use dish soap exclusively on my dirt bikes... Till once (I used too much? I'da know... it was that harsh Dawn stuff) it corroded my rim, so that
the next time I needed to change my tire, I also got to learn how to lace a new rim up...

-Mike

[Larry]

Ivory, and it's good on those rough hands the wife complains about! 

[daytona]

A liberal amount of armoral on a pc of cloth, wipe it on the part of the tire that needs to be pryed on the wheel only. With it Some sport tires can be mounted by a good grip of the hand. After being in the sun for a while of course. Good for the tire and wheel.

[Brad]

I would use something designed for that purpose.  It has to be something that dries and doesn't effect the rubber or the rim.  You do not want corrosion or rim slip later on.

[bigdog99]

do you need to use something?????? or can you put it on without?

[F6Dave]

I also bought a gallon of the 'real' tire lube, at Pep Boys.  After years of using dish soap, it seemed to work much better, and a gallon should last me for many years.  They also sold a giant Q-Tip thing to apply it with.  This combo works well enough that I can now get the first bead over the rim without even using tools.

[TearlessTom]

I just use dish soap diluted in a spray bottle and large 18 INCH TIE WRAPS.

By using the tie wraps around the tire you can compress the two sides together at the bead using about 6-8 wraps spaced around the tire. You can then mount both sides at once without any tools what-so-ever.

There is a video on youtube but I can't seem to find it.

Tom

[alph]

I also bought a gallon of the 'real' tire lube, at Pep Boys.  After years of using dish soap, it seemed to work much better, and a gallon should last me for many years.  They also sold a giant Q-Tip thing to apply it with.  This combo works well enough that I can now get the first bead over the rim without even using tools.

if you can't find those giant q-tip things at pep boys, they're in the feminine hygien section at wal-mart.  or you can ask your wife if she's got 'em.

[hubcapsc]

I just use dish soap diluted in a spray bottle and large 18 INCH TIE WRAPS.

By using the tie wraps around the tire you can compress the two sides together at the bead using about 6-8 wraps spaced around the tire. You can then mount both sides at once without any tools what-so-ever.

There is a video on youtube but I can't seem to find it.

Tom

Holy Cow! I hope you can find that video... a magic solution to all that sweating and cussing would be
a great thing...

On the last couple of tires I used a c-clamp to hold the already-on beads together so I could keep
them deep in the rim allowing me to pretty easily spoon on that hardest last part of the bead on
the last side...

-Mike

[Cliff]

I just use dish soap diluted in a spray bottle and large 18 INCH TIE WRAPS.

By using the tie wraps around the tire you can compress the two sides together at the bead using about 6-8 wraps spaced around the tire. You can then mount both sides at once without any tools what-so-ever.

There is a video on youtube but I can't seem to find it.

Tom

I like the large tie wrap idea,, have lots of those, will give that technique a try.


UPDATE:  tried it and it works GREAT!!!!!!  
Discussion/instruction continues in this thread:
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,18070.0.html

[Bone]

Cliff I like that tie wrap idea can't wait to read your results.

[TearlessTom]

I have looked on Youtube and in my personal photos and can't find any of them. Pictures help but you should be able to do it without the photos.

Take the large tie wraps, (if you don't have large one you can put 3 small ones end to end)

Wrap it around the tire and pull tight.  Make sure the buckle part of the wrap is on the outside of the tire as this will make it easier to remove.

Do this in 6-8-10... spaces around the tire, however many you want. The more wraps the easier it is to compress completely.No less than 6 should be used.  6-8 should be plenty.  

You can go back around the tire tightening each one until you have both beads touching or near touching each other.

You can now very easily slide the tire onto the rim mounting both sides at once. All you need is some soap/lube and your body weight. No tools required!!!

To remove the wraps if you bought the more expensive ones you they have a release tab and you can reuse them. If you got the cheapo then simply slide a sharp knife or snips into one of the grooves of the tread and cut the wrap then pull it out and inflate the tire.

It should take longer to put the wraps on than to mount the tire. It is that easy.

I recently help my brother-in-law mount a new tire on his Ducati, it took less than 15 minutes from the time we pulled the tire off the bike to the time we were re-installing it back on the bike.

Another hint that helps is to cut 2-3 pieces of plastic from a milk jug or any plastic bottle. Put them under your irons while removing the tire from the rim you can SLIDE THE IRONS AROUND THE TIRE instead of prying it up. It also helps to protect your rim from damage.

Tom

[Ricky-D]

That is very interesting!

I wish this had been posted a week ago when I was installing my new front tire. I would have liked to try it.

Doing it like you indicate and with some lubricant ought to be a cinch.

Next thing is to find the cable ties long enough to reach around the tire.

***

[Garland]

I too will be trying that technique next time. I am curious how well it will work with a CT.

[TearlessTom]

FOUND IT!!!!
Found a similar thread with photo's. He uses the much heavier and more costly straps but you get the idea. Anything can be used. You can use a piece of sting or rope if you want. for me the tie wraps are inexpensive and easiest as the are smooth plastic and slide over the rim without damage.

Here is the link:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299597

Tom

[hubcapsc]

FOUND IT!!!!
Found a similar thread with photo's. He uses the much heavier and more costly straps but you get the idea. Anything can be used. You can use a piece of sting or rope if you want. for me the tie wraps are inexpensive and easiest as the are smooth plastic and slide over the rim without damage.

Here is the link:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299597

Tom

That's awesome...

I think getting the old one off is harder than getting the new one on... got anything for that? 

-Mike

[TearlessTom]

FOUND IT!!!!
Found a similar thread with photo's. He uses the much heavier and more costly straps but you get the idea. Anything can be used. You can use a piece of sting or rope if you want. for me the tie wraps are inexpensive and easiest as the are smooth plastic and slide over the rim without damage.

Here is the link:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299597

Tom

That's awesome...

I think getting the old one off is harder than getting the new one on... got anything for that? 

-Mike

While taking the old tire off use the plastic bottles.  Cut several pieces from say a coke bottle (I live in the south, everything is a coke bottle) 
Once you get your first bite on the tire slide them between the rim and your tire irons.
You can then take a hammer or rubber mallet and TAP the side of the tire iron and it will slide along the rim on the plastic.
You can also re-install your axle if you like and use it for a spindle like they do in the shops, use it for leverage with the tire iron (if you dont have a hammer)if that makes any sense. If you have ever watched a tire being put on or off with the hydraulic machine or even a home machine you should get the idea. It should work the same. 

Key is :………………………..LOSTS OF SOAP!!!
Tom

[Garland]

The link above also leads to a suggestion of removing the old tire by cutting it off with a hacksaw blade, pushing a piece of wood between the tire and rim for the end cut.

[PharmBoy]

Who knows?  We might have just found another use for K-Y Jelly...JTL   

[TearlessTom]

Who knows?  We might have just found another use for K-Y Jelly...JTL   

Things that make you go, hummmm?

[humshark]

Well since i haven't seen it mentioned yet -
Murphy's Oil Soap works great for the lube part of the process.

All I need now is someone with a bead breaker and a bit of determination to match mine and I'll do my own tires down here!   ( I like the Tie wrap idea! )

[hubcapsc]

Well since i haven't seen it mentioned yet -
Murphy's Oil Soap works great for the lube part of the process.

All I need now is someone with a bead breaker and a bit of determination to match mine and I'll do my own tires down here!   ( I like the Tie wrap idea! )

I bet you have a bead breaker laying around somewhere...



-Mike

[humshark]

Excellent Bead Breaker!  And it appears to be quite effective!

[Cliff]

This is what I finally found at NAPA across the River... http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.aspx?R=BK_7652434_0273923611
worked well, slick as hog snot.