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Tire removal/which tire irons?
- Galactica
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Back to this post. A friend of mine had a flat tire on his Guzzi when we were on our way to the Vancouver motorcycle show. Fortunately the other fellow we were riding with had a plug kit and electric pump. That's all well and good for those guys that have tubeless tires. With my old Kaws it's a different story.
I have never changed a tire. Sad but true. I have a couple of old dry tires/wheels from a 77 kz650 that I would like to practice tire removal with.
Which tire irons do you guys recommend? How many? Any tips?
I've always rolled the dice, and have never had a flat out on the road. This season however, I'll be carrying a more comprehensive tool kit when I'm out on the road which will include flat repair stuff.
Sheers,
Ross
77KZ1000
76 KZ900
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- Frankn9
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- testarossa
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- Attack life, it's only trying to kill you.
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The fourth picture shows the type of tire iron that is the most useful. You want at least one of those for the initial prying. You probably need at least three irons, but it never hurts to have more.
1978 KZ1000 A2 Click--->Build Thread
2004 ZX-10R
2007 Harley Sportster 1200
2020 Harley Street Glide Special
Angola, IN
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- Mcdroid
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- Gone Kwackers
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Michael
Victoria, Texas
1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A
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- trianglelaguna
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- New and improved - extra strength
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anyways ...Hey Ross......where are our ski pics this year buddy....
any tire irons will work the longer ones can be to long to be able to tuck under a spoke while you search for a third hand.....but they sell em at most shops and a pair is all you need....the third one can be that big ass craftsman screwdriver that everyone seems to own one of, just to have something to not loose what you have fought out while swapping the set for the next bite.....
baby/powder talcom powder sprayed inside in the new tire,later helps the tube move freely as you re-install and not pinch or bind if you rotate the new tire before inflating...lets you wiggle the the stem straight and the tube will flow on the little talc...ect....takers a lot of air the first time with with tubes to seat the bead so i put way too much in and even spray with a tiny shot of water or (dont tell anyone WD-40) before adding the air...some folsk say the wd-400 can eat rubber...but not before i have shredded a summer tire set imo.....plus i only use a quick spray around the rims lip and tire bead so it will op and seat even.....
pics soon as i tear my front end off for a re-do...peace
it has been my experience that the yellow dot on new tire is to go where the valve stem is....line up ect...
saves time trying to balance too much weight imo...
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
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- Kidkawie
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2004 KX125
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- JMKZHI
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- trianglelaguna
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2004 ninja 250R for wife
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- Patton
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Good Fortune!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- Galactica
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The small amount of $ is worth it if you are near a shop. But I do a LOT of my riding well away from civilization. And will do a lot more touring over the next few years. My long term plan had been to retire in 2020. But I've decided to put it off to 2022 or 2023 so I can take more time now for travel and motorcycling.
It was my friend's flat tire out on the highway that brought the issue into focus. I am the type of guy that is usually well prepared for problems. Flat tires are one problem that I have ignored due to the difficulty and infrequent occurrence.
On future rides further afield from home I intend to be better prepared for flats. I hate to think if I had a flat last summer out on the prairie on some of the secondary highways I was riding on. Only saw a few other cars all day.
Tri, I've only gone skiing once this year. I've lost the ski bug, It could be a function of age. in my spare time I've mostly been working on, or riding my kz1000. Feeling guilty about leaving the kz900 in the corner of the garage since October. May have to sell her to help my son buy a house. That's life.
Keep the faith,
Ross
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76 KZ900
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- trianglelaguna
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Thanks for all of the info, you guys are the best! In the past I too have always just gone to the bike shop for repair/replacement.
The small amount of $ is worth it if you are near a shop. But I do a LOT of my riding well away from civilization. And will do a lot more touring over the next few years. My long term plan had been to retire in 2020. But I've decided to put it off to 2022 or 2023 so I can take more time now for travel and motorcycling.
It was my friend's flat tire out on the highway that brought the issue into focus. I am the type of guy that is usually well prepared for problems. Flat tires are one problem that I have ignored due to the difficulty and infrequent occurrence.
On future rides further afield from home I intend to be better prepared for flats. I hate to think if I had a flat last summer out on the prairie on some of the secondary highways I was riding on. Only saw a few other cars all day.
Tri, I've only gone skiing once this year. I've lost the ski bug, It could be a function of age. in my spare time I've mostly been working on, or riding my kz1000. Feeling guilty about leaving the kz900 in the corner of the garage since October. May have to sell her to help my son buy a house. That's life.
Keep the faith,
Ross
1976 KZ900
2003 ZX12R
2007 FZ1000
2004 ninja 250R for wife
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