Changing my own tires.

I recently purchased a No-Mar tire changer and have had pretty good luck with it. Until today that is, I'm changing the rear tire on my 750 B and found that it uses rim locks. so far I can't even get one into place inside the new tire. Do you think rim locks are really necessary on a twin? If I ditch them, what would you use to cover the holes?

TIA
Bill

Lots of folks ditch the rim locks, but not me. It helps if you have a helper pull the tire open while you install them, but I've installed them many times by myself. I use them because many years ago on my BSA I had the wheel rip the valve stem off the tube while upshifting in heavy morning traffic. POOF - all the air was gone from the tire and the rear of the bike swung back and forth in huge arcs. I barely maintained control, and all the while I had some butthead in a car about 1 foot behind me blowing his horn. I guess he thought I was performing some sort of stunt.

My BSA had a factory prepped 500 cc Cyclone vertical twin racing engine, and it probably had about the same or even less power than a KZ750 twin. I believe the problem was a result of the the tire turning just a tiny bit inside the rim each time I power shifted or pulled away hard from a dead stop. Even if it moved 1/1000th of an inch each time, after 1,000 times it had moved enough to rip off the valve stem. When I replaced the tube I drilled small holes around the rim and installed short screws that held the tire to the rim - problem solved, but rim locks would have been cleaner looking. Ed

You can run without them if you want and chances are won't have a problem. Just simply leave the holes open and the rubber rim strip will effectively cover the hole, however they are usually a 1 minute job to install. I just poke a small screwdriver into the hole, pushing back the rim strip into the tire where I can grab it and pull it outside the rim, then stuff the rim lock in there and put the rim strip back around the back of the lock, then install a nut a couple threads to be sure the lock doesn't get lost in the tire, which is near impossible anyway, but doesn't hurt. Stuff in the tube and tighten the valve stem so it will be straight. Mount the tire, then last step is push inwards on both rim locks and your valve stem to be sure the tube is not somehow pinched between the tire and wheel wrong.
I've never had a changer, but been changing my own tires since I was 14yrs old Lots of fun over the years.

Thanks Guys,
Ed, you suggested having a friend spread the tire but I couldn't figure out how to pull the lower bead down while pulling the upper bead up so I built my own bead spreader. I used some 1/8" by 2" steel strap and a couple of sawn down 2X4's.



In order to reach the lower bead I had to make the lower hook 1" longer than the top hook. I filed and ground all the edges to remove any sharp burrs.




Can you say AHH?



Once pulled open the assembly was easy.
Thanks for your advice!

Bill

That bead spreader is REALLY cool! It looks like it does make the job easier; so I may copy it next time I replace my rear tire. Great idea! Ed

Good idea on the speader. Maybe the tires you are using are a stiffer sidewall than most, but all the years I've changed tires simply laying the tire/wheel on a soft pad on the floor, use the left hand to lever open the tire, right hand to install the rim lock has always been a simple minute or so. Of course every tire different in how they are made, some easier than others.

Personally don't use the rim locks anymore but back in the day I used to. No matter how you did it, putting those things in was a pain...and sometimes I mean literally. It got to be such a hassle I just stopped using them. Never had a problem but some guys do like to have them in there. That spreader looks like the answer to the problem though.

Those are Avon Distancia tires. They're radials with variable belt density. Ron you'd have to be a bunch stronger than I am to lever that bead open with one hand. I tried till I realized that even if I scrapped all the bark off the back of my hands I'd never get enough room to fit that rim lock in place. I'm thinking that those rim locks are a lot like the 630 chain on my KZ900, more spec appeal than really needed. But my spoke strip already had the holes for them and once the spreader did it's thing they were easy to install. I'm thinking that the spreaders should go in the tools forum. My biggest challenge now will be remembering where I put them next time I need them.

Bill

thats using your head..good pictures...awesome twin 750 just super cool....rim locks..they make a cool sound when they hit the metal shop waste can......little black plastic finish screw covers close the holes nice from the outside...

Thanks Craig! I've been working on that Twin for years. I recently laced that front wheel with new stainless steel spokes and am fitting the Avons in hope that they'll grip better than the Dunlop K's I had on it. The biggest problem with the rim locks has always been getting them into place, no longer an issue for me. I'll post a pic of the bike here as soon as I get the real wheel balanced and reinstalled.

Bill

KZCSI wrote: I recently purchased a No-Mar tire changer and have had pretty good luck with it. Until today that is, I'm changing the rear tire on my 750 B and found that it uses rim locks. so far I can't even get one into place inside the new tire. Do you think rim locks are really necessary on a twin? If I ditch them, what would you use to cover the holes?

TIA
Bill

There's a trick to rim locks: put a hole in the rubber rim strip for the rim lock post so you can install the rim strip first. Then install the tire bead (one side) on the rim. Feed the tube in and position it, then install the rim locks. They are a PITA, but it's doable.

That spreader tool is way cool.