Hopefully our final pitstop before Morocco (less than 3 weeks to go).

Martin and I decide to practice tyre changing, swapping the Sirac's for TKC 80's.

An ambtious start, we lined up as if trying to compete ....



... but the tyres were a lot harder to remove and re-fit than we thought. We wanted to do everything by hand, and despite a full workshop available, use just the tools we will carry with us.

2 and half hours later, all 4 TKC's fitted and ready to roll !



The TKC's felt strange at first, almost a reluctance to steer at slow speed - as if you have a steering damper, but it didn't take long to get used to them.

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Jumped up and down on them, then eventually a clamp. We will add a G-Clamp to out tool-kit.

It would have been better to do one bike at a time and use the sidestand and weight of the other bike to squash the tyre!

We also found that some of our tyre levers were straight, and a slight curl at the end is required to grip the tyre so they will be modified. Bloody things kept slipping.

It is definietly worth practicing using the tools you take with you, if for no other reason than ensuring you have everything.

Blue bikes rule!

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http://www.freewebs.com/my2wheels/

Nick - The bead on the TCK's breaks much easier than the road tyres, and after deflation the tyre warms and comes off much easier.


Maybe try removing a TCK, or at least getting the inner tube out before you go - You might decide you don't need a G-Clamp.

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Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

Does anyone remember at the first Lakes doo I broke the bead on a tyre for a puncture repair with my tyre lever................and I have done the same thing on my front garden with the same tyre levers. I'll have then at the next Lakes doo so you can have a look.

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If I'm not working, I'll be

New tyres are harder than "more used" tyres to break, and if you think about it, it is obvious.. (that's one of the things I learned with Craig Bounds....just one of the many//full report to come!!)

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2008 XTR Mods : DNA Stage 3 Airbox, PC111, Carbon Cans Ovals, Steve Ruth built XTR734cc Big Bore with - High Desert Dyno (HDD)/ Cuervo Racing Gas Flowed / Ported Head fitted with +1mm Valves & uprated Springs, HDD 5050 Camshaft, HDD +3mm Throttle Body, CP 105.5mm 11:1 Piston, Custom Mapping, Piasini ECU, Renthal 613-01, Barkbusters VPS, Pivot Pegz, Touratech Bashplate, Foam Grips, Kev's O2 Sensor Mod, Kev's Extra Coolant Cooler, Wilbers Progressive Fork Springs and Rear Shock

This is true, you don't need a clamp for taking TKC's off the Ten's rim. I've done it a few times, you just need the right technique. I use two tyre levers, about five cm from each other, to push the bead down and leave the levers under my foot. At the same time I use a third lever (right next to the other ones, with the curled end of it pointing toward the bead) to bend the bead out of the rim. Once you break it at one point, it's easy to push it down all the way. I'm using KTM's 25 cm tyre levers. They're great, I can recommend. I also got a Motion Pro tyre lever/wrench and that is what I use as a third lever for the bead breaking.

Jami

Here an other technique
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=458452

This is something I need to practice too. Looking at purchasing the 22mm Motion Pro T6 tyre lever with another 2 levers, but can't decide if to get another 2 Motion Pro T6 combo levers in different sizes purely because of the weight saving, not that they will fit any bolts on the bike, or just go with a couple of normal steel levers. I'm not worried about the cost just the practicality. Any help or recommendations of other levers appreciated. Cheers.