My rear change
 

The old tire had me off the other day so I had to get another one. Watling wanted me to re-mortgage my house for new one so I said ballcocks to that.

Out came the wheel and the new Conti is due to arrive today.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm1.jpg

The old is soon off the rim and ready for the bin.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm2.jpg

Was it really that bad. Lucky boy.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm3.jpg

New one arrives.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm4.jpg

Rim is cleaned and checked. Bearings OK for a few more miles.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm5.jpg

Five minutes later the tire is on and the tube in place.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm6.jpg

Tube is checked, checked and checked again so in goes the air to about 40 psi.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm7.jpg

It will be left overnight and checked again in the morning. If all is well it goes back on the bike for a test ride. Gave it a quick clean and a bit of dressing for bullshirt.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm8.jpg


It was bloody hard work though but worth the effort. No scratches on the rim and the most used tools were a big rubber hammer and a couple of small tire levers.

The rubber was like a block of iron in the munus 2 temperatures.
What did it cost? �68.00 from a place I found on Ebay. I ordered it direct from them so they knocked a bit more off because I got round the extra auction fees.

I enjoyed doing it. It gave me a chance to look at the brakes and suspension too, all the bits you mostly ignore. The cold was the bad bit.

Next time front and back will need changing. I thought I would try the Conti out on the back and if I like it I'll get a pair. If it's no good it just means the back moves about so no problem. Soon get through a rear if you put your mind to it.

Got to drop the pressure to 29 psi or 2 bar when it's on the bike. Set it to 40 psi for the overnight test and to seat it firmly on the rim. It runs at 15 psi off road and up to 33 psi on the road. No good for a sports bike but lots of fun on a single.

Even the dog helped. She nicked all the cardboard while it was waiting to be fitted on the rim.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n.../Backsmdog.jpg

Just to follow up, I greased everything and fitted the wheel.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ge/Backsm9.jpg

I haven't changed bike tires myself for many years. Always had the nack and even fitted my own car tires a few times. It's all down to the way you do it rather than brute force.

I put the tire in a big engineers or wood working vice to break the seal but don't scratch the rim. Get the the whole tire loose first then push it into the well as much as possible. Use a bit of soap and pull as much off the side. Lastly use a mallet to get the last bit off. Pull out the tube. Do the same again the other side so the wheel is between the two walls then just pull it out.

To fit the new one slip it on one side then fit the tube. Wipe off any soap. Put a bit of air in the tube then push the tire into the well again. Lay it on an old carpet and push it on by walking round the wall and digging with your heel. The last little bit use the mallet and maybe a tyre lever.
The secret is to do little bits at a time. Make sure the tube isn't trapped and clean off all the soap. If water gets in leave it to dry out before pumping up.
Simple as that.

Now leave me alone while I have a heart attack.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/Backsm11.jpg

Got the tire from thetyeguys, 0800 3579757. They were very helpful. Buy direct to avoid ebay fees.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CONTI-TKC80-90...2em118Q2el1247


I like a bit of grip in the gooey stuff. I'll let you know if it is any good later.


http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...e/Backsm10.jpg

Liquid Sealer
 

I use liquid sealer in my tires about 0.25 litres in each. Having ridden bikes off road punctures have been a constant problem. I don't think these liquids have changed much from when I first used them in the 1980's. They have got me home a few times, once with a bit of wood nailed to the front tire of my Suzuki TS250A.

The liquid made no difference to the job and the tiniest bit came out when I took out the tire valve. The tube just had a sludgy feel to it. Putting it back was normal.

I am hearing bad things about the stuff although I have never had any kind of problem and in fact benefited from the advantages. Let me know your views and opinions on this liquid sealer please.

Nice one ,the way money is at the moment i think i might give it a go,last time i did it was around 1990 on a GPZ1100A2 the tyre went on ok but with it being tubeless my compressor could not get the air in quick enough to seal tyre to rim ,but i wont have that problem with a tube.Did u balance yourself ?

Tubless trick
 

I had a trick for tubless tires cars and bikes.

Bounce the tire and wheel on the grass for a bit to center the tire then put a bit of strong rope round the circumference of the tire loosly. Put a big spanner between the rope and tire then turn like a touniquet. It tightens down on the center tread and pushes the wall out enough to get a seal. Your compressor will then cope.

Hope that helps mate.

I did a rolling balance before fitting the tube. It seemed OK. It's never going to go fast anyway. The liquid didn't let me do a balance after I fitted the tube. One of the down sides of the fluid.

Thanks 4 that,so simple.Learn something new makes life easier.cheers

Statik... let us know how yer gettin on wi the TKC conti tyres,,, ave used them on other bikes in the past but never on the XT,, should matter though.. but ad like tae hear wit ye think othem....an wis it jist pot luck when ye bought yer Trials mudguard or did ye get one tae order...I like it a lot..where did ye get it. /??? JOhn

It is OK, not a full motocross by any means but good all round. Took the XT up a few country lanes today and had a lot of fun. Stopped at smooth bit for some photos.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/DSC01153.jpg

The front low mudguard worked very well. Compaired to my mates Kwaker KLR the XTR was spotless after the sticky stuff.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/SNV32478.jpg

The contryside was very wet but superb driving conditions.

http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...9/SNV32472.jpg

The puddles were like rivers but they cleaned up the bikes nice.

I got the mudguard from a trials shop in Gravesend in Kent. Cost about &10 or �15. The bracket I made up from a light piece of Ally. Just strong enough to stay in place but weak enough to break if something gets caught in it.

Horse sh*t and hot pipes, phew! :078:

nice piccies there. the bike looks well

It just kept going through all the mud.. Such a good bike. I was thinking of getting a little one for green lanes but the XTR does all I ask every time. The only time it let me down was when the back tire was bald.

As soon as I have the spare cash I'm ordering a TKC Conti for the front. I rode it hard on the road tonight and there is a big difference to the Sirac. It walks sidways on fast corners but is very predictable. There is more feel to it than road version. Before it was sticking or gone, no half way. Not going to last too long though.

How things change.
 

I have been so happy with the TKC80 rear tire I ordered one for the front, even though it has got plenty of life left. I checked the prices and found the shop I got the back one from was still at the same price. Bearing in mind they gave me a big discount for not using Ebay I contacted them. The deal was done and the new 90/90/21 TKC80T arrives tomorrow (17/02/09) but this time no discount.

It's a better tire having the "T" prefix for tubless or tubed but they are charging �6.50 for delivery even though I contacted them directly and not through Ebay. My nephew was going to order a set for front and back so I warned him of the change. We found the standard TKC80 set cheaper and fitted to loose rims at Watling.

I paid �63.50 front delivered from The Tyre Guys.
My nephew paid �55.00 front �65 back fitted to loose rims (back being smaller than XT) from Watling.

It's all about deals on the day not loyalty to a supplier. I'll add more photos when I do them.

If you think the Sirac was only just running wide you will not be dissapointed with the TKC80.

Some people who do alot more hardcore off roading say TKC80s arent really that good and more off basis tyres are needed but if you can do what your doing on the Siracs than the TKC80 will be like a glue compared to the siracs.

Had a set fitted for a wales trip and never noticed the different on the road the front makes. Yes you know youve an off road tyre on but never felt it try and let go or any thing. Only thing this is under hard braking the long block on the TKC80 do seem to move about a bit and squash/squirm into the road but thats the same with any off road basis tyre really

New front
 

I class the TKC80 about as good as the old "trials" tire the japs sold all off roader with in the 1980's & 90's. They are OK if you keep the speed up or let the air out. I do the odd trail at the weekend along with a few byways. Not hard-core by any means. I'm too old for anything too serious. They have a good feel on the road so I'm happy.

Put the new front on today.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ontifront3.jpg

Sirac had to go.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ontifront5.jpg

Coming off OK.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ontifront9.jpg

New one ready.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ntifront11.jpg

Half on.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ntifront12.jpg

Bit of air in the tube.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ntifront14.jpg

Pumped up.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ntifront16.jpg

Ready for some more abuse.
http://i305.photobucket.com/albums/n...ntifront18.jpg

First thing i noticed with th TKC80 is the tendency to fall into slow corners. Or so it seems. Once used to it its fine, it will not let go. For motoring fast its a great tyre. Strangely clogs up with thick mud easily but on wet, boggy ground its great.

Rob

Statik

I can see you fitted the tyre to the rim yourself. Can you tell me, did you need to balance the front or not?

I use liquid tire goo in the tube. It balances the tire and seals small punctures as you ride. If you use a weight on the wheel and it gets knocked off they go out of balance likewise as the tire wears down the balance changes. Been using the stuff for years in all my bikes and never had a problem.

Just a note, if there is a puncture you still have to fix it once you get home but at least you do get home. The down side is tube can't be repaired you must fit a new one.

Not used the bike much since the new tires were fitted. They are very different to the Sirac on the road. The bike is quite loose but it is in control. It does pull you into a corner as muppdog said. The bike rolls easier, with much less resistance. I stopped off for fuel expecting a bill of about �8 or �9 and only got �6 worth of petrol in the tank. I'll keep an eye on it but if that's right the unexpected benefit will be far longer range and a general increase in performance.

Never really noticed a decrease in fuel consumption but probably didnt help i had a 14tooth sprocket on aswell. The tyres do make for some nice cornering, just watch out for the slippy parts as on the tarmac the rear let go on me once or twice on a slippy part.

Oh yes they slide OK. I dropped the pressure to 25psi front and back and got better grip in the trails. Hit some heavy mud and it pulled through without bogging down. Now the rubber has lost the shine the road grip is better but the back still lets go on tight bends. Still using a bit less fuel than before but not much. Done about 200 miles on them and don't think they will last very long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvBdaYIe76U
There was no oil on the road and it was dry. It's just how they are. They slide and you get loads of wheelspin. On the dirt they come into their own and grip when you think they won't.

I like them.

You never know, ive came round purely dry roads to find enough old oil etc to make the road slippery and feel as fit it was wet.

But also the TKC80s do allow alot of movement but once your use to it your fine and they can be pushed hard.