God, tubeless tyres can be a sweat sometimes

Even on a little GN250....

Front, no problem, but the back is quite a fat 16" thing and much sweat
was expended this afternoon[1]. I really ought to get myself a tyre
changer.

Anyway, two new decent quality Metzelers are now on the rims.

The question, though, is this: not many of the decent brands sold in the
UK seem to make tube fitment tyres for anything other than very small
bikes (commuter 125s and smaller) these days. Just about everything is
tubeless, take it or leave it, and if you want to shove a tube in it, go
ahead. And as the GN250 doesn't have tubeless fitment wheels, that's
what I've done, of course.

Is it the same in the USA?

Secondly, I'm assuming there's damn all difference in feel and
performance, but I was just wondering if anybody has ever done a
back-to-back comparison. I've nevr seen one in the press. I suppose
ther's no real point, but like I say, I was just idly wondering.

[1] And one tyre lever bent.

 

I've wondered about this. 20 years ago I fitted a tubeless tyre to the
BSA with a tube in it. After 6 months or so, I had a failry rapid
puncture.
When taking out the tube, it was marked all the way round, from the ribs
on the inside of the tyre. These were clearly rubbing against the tube
and had caused the puncture. A mate who worked in the car tyre fitters
next door said it was quite common with older cars that still had tubes,
and they would never fit a tube into a tubleless tyre, as they knew it
would blow-out at some time in the future.
I bit the bullet and bought a 'new' Avon Roadmaster tubed tyre so didnt
encounter it again.
Have things moved on since, with tubes being compatible with tubeless
tyres?
Alan.

 

(The Older Gentleman) wrote in

The semi-off road tyres, e.g. Metzeler Tourance, made for bikes like the
Tiger & R-GS are dual purpose. Tubed or tubelss fitments are approved.
IIRC, early Tigers have spoked wheels that need tubes.

My bike has spoked wheels but of the variety where tubeless tyres fit okay
as the spokes are in the rim, outside the bead. I think it is fairly common
for people to fit tubes after a puncture on these bikes. I haven't done it
so cant give a personal view if there is a difference in handling, but I
can't see why there would be.

 

Yes, that's my impression. mrt Lee (see his posting) raises a valid
oint, though.

 

Well, that's what I assume. My own dealer said: "They're all made
tubeless these days..."

 

I run the Guzzi on tubeless Bridgestone BT45s and as the Guzzi has spoked
wheels they have tubes.

Never had a problem in 15 years - except when a tyre place fitted new
tubes that were too small and they split. At speed. Two up. She
thought it exciting. I thought it a bit scary.

 

Eek =:-0

My vote goes with you

 

Despite my English it was only one tyre and it was the rear so could have
been worse. It was at a good NSL+ speed, the back end went into a right
old paddy we were all over the shop.

Stopped upright, dropped the rear out cadged a lift to a bike shop (in
fucking Wales - Cambrian tyres to the rescue) and asked them to fix the
puncture. Out came one split tube and their diagnosis of the wrong size.

It was a new tyre and I was skint so it just got re-tubed and slung back
on - irrespective of any sidewall damage it may have received in the
rapid deflation and slow down. I was more concerned about my Boranni
rims and getting my leg over later.

 

Ditto on my Quota - well, ten years and pseudo-offroad tyres.

 

I can recommend ebay item 260516152968. This also makes a good base
after breaking the bead for removing the tyre.

And for balancing ebay item 310185597770

 

I've been looking into this problem, TOG.
Have you got any recommendations?
The big pro units that I was seriously thing of getting really are not happy
being left out in the rain. I cant find a sensible option otherwise so if
you have something up your sleeve, please do tell

 

Bead breaking I don't have a problem with these days. This afternoon, I
laid wheel with old tyre on top of new tyre and stamped vigorously on
the tyre sidewalls. Job done.

In the past, I've used G-clamps and bits of wood and even driven a car
onto a tyre sidewall.

That, however, is a splendid gadget. Bloody marvellous. And I've ordered
one in the last 60 seconds. Thanks for flagging it up.

 

I wish I did. I was hoping someone might point one out, in the way
Packer has just drawn my attention to that nifty little balancing
device.

 

I've got one of them ...

Universal Tyres in Dunstable

 

One leeeetle problem. The paddock stand you need to use the balancer is
usually the one you need to keep the bike upright when swopping tyres.
Factor in a second rear paddock stand when buying.

 

Pah, I just get my own tyres done at cost at work

 

I've got two paddock stands, so no probs. And only two of my bikes don't
have centre stands, anyway.

Don't you think it's a neat gadget, though?

 

I do, and being the proud owner of about 5 or 6 paddock stands I think
I may be making a purchase very soon. None of my bikes have centre
stands, and one doesn't have any stands at all nowadays.

 

And you're the chap who claims to have ridden for 35 years and owned
300 motorcycles?

Bwahahahahaha!

A professional tire mechanic can lever the second bead into position
*effortlessly* using a six-inch long tire lever he carries in his
shirt pocket.

That's because he knows *exactly* what to do with the *first* bead...

 

It's an odd size so didn't fit in any of the paddock stands I have
(three).

I ended up making a wooden U-Frame for it. Woodworking isn't my key
skill, but it was good enough for this purpose.