Old tire removal

so my rear tire is flat, the tire is 25 years old, and quite hard. I have been trying to remove the tire for a while now, i just noticed that there is Protector-Bead, that requires to be pushed through, but i still cant get it off, any advice i would not like to take it in but im thinking i need to...

Here's a suggestion. Use a sharp utility knife and cut the tire's sidewalls all the way around on both sides. This will let you pull the tread section and the tube off leaving just the tire's bead sections and part of the sidewalls on each side. The bead locks will then come out easily and the remaining beads of the tire can be removed much easier. You may be surprised how easily a sharp utility knife will cut the sidewalls once you get started. Ed

The secret is a set of really good tire irons. For removals, I have a short "holding" iron that hooks onto a spoke and holds the bead up after I get it started by a long iron, then work it around from there.

I long since gave up changing tires since I found out the local bike shop does a mount and balance FREE if I buy a tire there.

25yr old tire is no harder to remove than a new one. Have you fully loosened both bead locks and broke both sides of the tire loose of the wheel? It should lever right off. Tire might be stuck to the wheel, so be sure to break both sides completely loose then it should come off pretty quickly.

Lube it up at the beads, make sure the opposite side from your tire levers is pushed into the center of the rim, as it has the recess for the bead to sit in allowing the tire to come off. If you have it still at the edge of the rim, all the way around the bead, it won't come off.
Soapy water, silicone spray, WD, something to lube the beads.

I changed more than a few knobbys but a 120/90 by 18 street tire is a lot tougher than me. Sat just had a local bike shop put on the 4th tire my KZ650 has seen since the early 80s.

35 bucks including a new tube, balance and has always done it while I wait.

KZB2 650 wrote: I changed more than a few knobbys but a 120/90 by 18 street tire is a lot tougher than me. Sat just had a local bike shop put on the 4th tire my KZ650 has seen since the early 80s.

35 bucks including a new tube, balance and has always done it while I wait.

Wimp :laugh: