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Mounting tires proper way

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27 Jan 2021 11:53 #842514 by katit
Mounting tires proper way was created by katit
Any know how or pointers to correct tools to use? And procedures? In general, how do you mount and remove tires so the rim does not get scratched or indented?
I am guilty of doing it myself so I want to learn correct procedure.

Videos on youtube clearly showing people sticking metal screwdrivers and so on marking and scratching rims.

78 KZ650B2A - resto in progress
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/615161...s-1978-kz650-project
Other bikes: 1978 BMW R100/7, 1978 Moto Guzzi T3, 2016 DRZ400s

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27 Jan 2021 12:55 #842520 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic Mounting tires proper way
I use a pair of Motion Pro rim protectors and two 11 inch Motion Pro tire irons. Ed




1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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27 Jan 2021 13:32 #842523 by Kaylinator
Replied by Kaylinator on topic Mounting tires proper way
Watch this video, starting at about 12:48.


1978 KZ1000-A2
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613296-1978-kz1000-a2-barn-find

1978 KZ400-B1

2022 Z900RS SE
The following user(s) said Thank You: DOHC, Mikaw

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27 Jan 2021 14:11 #842525 by F64
Replied by F64 on topic Mounting tires proper way
It depends on the tire-rim combo.
Sometimes the tire is too tight to put on with tire levers.
I ruined a set of Michelins by damaging the beads with levers.
The next set I had CycleGear use their tire machine and they still had trouble.
He had to put the tires in a hot summer car to soften them up.
Granted it's a tubeless tire on a tube rim.
(Michelin Commander II on KZ440 D2 stock aluminum rims)

81-KZ440-D2.
Louis Dudzik's GM HEI ignitor conversion installed 2015 s3.amazonaws.com/gpzweb/Ignition/GPZgmHEImod.html
Motogadget m-unit blue installed 2017.
LIC, NY

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27 Jan 2021 14:18 #842526 by Mikaw
Replied by Mikaw on topic Mounting tires proper way
Kaylinator Now you post this. :silly: I needed this about 5 weeks ago.

Seriously thought thank you. I never knew the bead protector when under the band. Great post.

1976 KZ 900 A4 kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613548-1976-kz-900-a4
1976 KZ 900 B1 LTD
1978 KZ 1000 B2 LTD
1980 KZ 750 E1
Kowledge Speaks, But Wisdom Listens.
Jimi Hendrix.

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27 Jan 2021 14:50 #842530 by Kaylinator
Replied by Kaylinator on topic Mounting tires proper way

Mikaw wrote: Kaylinator Now you post this. :silly: I needed this about 5 weeks ago.

Seriously thought thank you. I never knew the bead protector when under the band. Great post.


I sort of just assume that if you're on this forum, you'd follow him on youtube as well. That man is a genius.

1978 KZ1000-A2
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/613296-1978-kz1000-a2-barn-find

1978 KZ400-B1

2022 Z900RS SE
The following user(s) said Thank You: Mikaw

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27 Jan 2021 15:24 #842534 by Nerdy
Replied by Nerdy on topic Mounting tires proper way

650ed wrote: I use a pair of Motion Pro rim protectors and two 11 inch Motion Pro tire irons. Ed


Thank you for the tip!! I didn't know rim protectors were a thing but now I need some. :)

The KZ440B project bike has powder-coated rims and I was worried about installing the tires. The original plan was to coat the tire irons in Plasti-dip but I wasn't sure how well that would hold up.

1979 KZ400 Gifted to a couple of nephews
1967 Yamaha YCS1 Bonanza
1980 KZ440B
1981 Yamaha XT250H
1981 KZ440 LTD project bike
1981 GPz550
2013 Yamaha FZ6R

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27 Jan 2021 17:54 #842538 by ghostdive
Replied by ghostdive on topic Mounting tires proper way
I think I've seen a people use pieces of milk jugs in lieu of proper rim protectors - I've never tried, my wheels aren't painted.

Aside from lots of lubricant (soapy water works well in my experience) I highly recommend getting the tires as hot as you can (within reason). I leave them in the sun for about an hour if the weather allows.

1982 KZ750 Spectre - 6 speed swap, BS34s, 18" rear wheel

2001 ZX-6R

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27 Jan 2021 18:56 - 27 Jan 2021 18:58 #842540 by martin_csr
Replied by martin_csr on topic Mounting tires proper way
By Nerdy: Thank you for the tip!! I didn't know rim protectors were a thing but now I need some. :)

The KZ440B project bike has powder-coated rims and I was worried about installing the tires. The original plan was to coat the tire irons in Plasti-dip but I wasn't sure how well that would hold up.


I doubt Plasti-dip will hold up at all. The first time doing the job I used milk jug plastic >> large pieces folded in half. Then I got some rim protectors which make the job much easier. see pic. The milk jug plastic tends to move around. no big deal, but kind of a pain.

Last edit: 27 Jan 2021 18:58 by martin_csr.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nerdy

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28 Jan 2021 13:23 #842576 by Kidkawie
Replied by Kidkawie on topic Mounting tires proper way
Practice.

Theres more involved than just slapping on a new tire. First, throw the tube protectors in the trash. You should run 2-3 layers of quality duct tape in its place. Use baby powder on the tube and inside the tire so the tube doesnt get bunched up. I use the 3 lever method. Been doing MX tires for 30 years, street tires are easy as F. Front tires barely need spoons.. Line up the yellow dots with the valve stem.

1975 Z1 900
1994 KX250 Supermoto
2004 KX125

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28 Jan 2021 14:57 #842586 by F64
Replied by F64 on topic Mounting tires proper way
If you have aluminum wheels, do not use soap.
The soap will cause the aluminum to corrode and pit.

The first place that mounted my tires used this.
If you're having issues you may be able to get a small amount from a motorcycle shop as 11lbs will last a couple of lifetimes.

www.wurthusa.com/Chemical-Product/Tire-R...1-Lb-Pail/p/08901221

81-KZ440-D2.
Louis Dudzik's GM HEI ignitor conversion installed 2015 s3.amazonaws.com/gpzweb/Ignition/GPZgmHEImod.html
Motogadget m-unit blue installed 2017.
LIC, NY

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28 Jan 2021 15:36 - 28 Jan 2021 15:38 #842588 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic Mounting tires proper way

Kidkawie wrote: Practice.

Theres more involved than just slapping on a new tire. First, throw the tube protectors in the trash. You should run 2-3 layers of quality duct tape in its place. Use baby powder on the tube and inside the tire so the tube doesnt get bunched up. I use the 3 lever method. Been doing MX tires for 30 years, street tires are easy as F. Front tires barely need spoons.. Line up the yellow dots with the valve stem.


I always use the tube protectors (rim locks). Why, one might ask? This is because many years ago on my BSA, which did not have rim locks, the rim slipped a tiny bit some number of times inside the rim until eventually this slippage caused the the rim to clip off the tube's valve stem. This happened when shifting into top gear in heavy traffic. Needless to say I was extremely lucky that the idiot directly behind me didn't hit me when my rear tire immediately went flat causing the back of the bike to swerve radically and violently from side to side. He thought I was doing it on purpose!

I don't know if modern tires on the Kawasaki might slip a little inside the rims. Maybe they won't or maybe they will, but considering the tiny extra time it takes to install the rim locks I'll keep using them. Ed


1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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Last edit: 28 Jan 2021 15:38 by 650ed.

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