Author Topic: Flat Tire (Read 6455 times)

SimonT · **on:** June 02, 2011, 11:41:14 pm

So i set off from work this morning... and got about 2 km into the trip and though to myself... gee this feels a bit loose at the back end.

Pulled over, and sure enough theres a nail stuck in my tire

I managed to get to a service station for air, but that was no use... it leaked out faster than it went in....

So i babied it back home the 2km or so (hopefully i didnt damage the tire-it looked ok).

Luckily Ive still got my other bike, so i jumped on that to get to work.

Im going for a ride tomorrow morning, so in need to get this repaired tonight. What tools etc do i need? What is the easiest way to change the tire?

Any tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated

Luckily RE supply a spare tube

Desi Bike · **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2011, 11:44:24 pm

there is a youtube video of just a tire change on the rerr wheel of a RE. I'm on my cellphone typing this so cant post a link... Google royel enfield tire change. Its a good video.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2011, 01:07:47 am

C5 or G5? The C5 tires are WAY tight on the rim. Even my mechanic had trouble getting them off. Get some very long tire irons and some help if you've got a C5. G5's come off more easily.

I'm sure if you look on YouTube there will be a vidoe of dismounting tires that will tell you more than we ever could.

Scott

Fox · **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2011, 02:52:32 am

Man, if the G5 is easy compared to the C5, I can't even imagine how hard it is with the C5.

If you don't have any tools or experience, you will save yourself a ton of headache by just taking it to a shop. It is very easy, even with a half dozen tire spoons and an hour's time, to pinch a hole in your new tube, or scratch the crap out of your rim trying to get the tire off.

As long as the nail hole is near the center of the tread, it doesn't need to be plugged or patched - just swap out the tube.

The day I bought my bike, I got a screw in my rear tire on I-76 through Philadelphia and rode it all the way 20 miles home without realizing it, thinking that the bike just had sucky handling, as all the air slowly leaked out

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:03:45 am

I have lots of tools and experience. I still take it to the shop to have it changed

TWinOKC · **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:09:19 am

Maybe this will help, good luck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJL8pBXBp3Y

SimonT · **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:11:07 am

oh man,,,, that doesnt sound reassuring....

I need to change it tonight, so a shop is really out of the question.

Ive got C5...

Ill stop at an auto parts store on the way home from work and grab the longest tire irons i can get.

SimonT · **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:11:59 am

Quote from: TWinOKC on June 03, 2011, 03:09:19 am

Maybe this will help, good luck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJL8pBXBp3Y

Thanks for the link mate

Fox · **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:39:38 am

The trick (if you can call it that) with tire irons is having more of them, not longer ones, although length will help you get leverage. You can easily pull the sidewall over the rim in one spot, but that won't get you anywhere and you'll swear loudly and injure your fingers.

I would say three is the bare minimum for this bike. You have two already, they should have come with the bike, but they are a joke. I would recommend getting three more.

r80rt · **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:45:33 am

The 80 series low profile rear tires on a C5 are stiff little bitches to remove, I was not a happy camper the last time I changd mine.

Ice · **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2011, 05:21:11 am

One thing to remember is after breaking the bead,,,press the sidewall down so as to allow the bead to enter the deepest channel part of the rim while levering the spoon on the opposite side.

SimonT · **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2011, 06:18:33 am

Thanks for all the tips guys... ill give it a try this arvo

Ice · **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2011, 07:06:02 am

Dunno why I failed to mention,,,,,,,,,there are a couple youtube videos of changing the rear wheel of a Bullet . One Video shows a method of loosening the the rear fender stays and hardware and swinging the fender upwards.

On my Military I just lay the bike on its side

Fox · **Reply #13 on:** June 03, 2011, 11:27:14 am

Quote from: Ice on June 03, 2011, 07:06:02 am

Dunno why I failed to mention,,,,,,,,,there are a couple youtube videos of changing the rear wheel of a Bullet . One Video shows a method of loosening the the rear fender stays and hardware and swinging the fender upwards.

On my Military I just lay the bike on its side

I think the easiest way of achieving this is to get it up on the centerstand with the rear end hanging off of an edge like a curb - you don't have to move or change anything, the wheel just falls right out. In my case, I used my porch. Much easier than laying it on its side, and you don't have to worry about the battery leaking

Andy · **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2011, 02:37:08 pm

Quote from: Ducati Scotty on June 03, 2011, 03:03:45 am

I have lots of tools and experience. I still take it to the shop to have it changed

Me too. There's two things I won't mess with - rubber and carburetors. I always muck them up, even when I think I know what I'm doing.

GreenMachine · **Reply #15 on:** June 03, 2011, 03:12:03 pm

I thought the video from twinokc was good...I got to get more tire iron too...Ice had a good thought on breaking the bead to the deepest part of the channel and attacking it from the opposite side...I head talcum or corn starch is good for putting the new tires on..The video showed the fellow putting rubber tape at various right angles that he was going to place the levers and not scratch his rims...Thought that is something I want to remember...He mentions that he stop the video for the actual removal and install of the new tube and tire...He leaves that up to your imagination..No swearing allowed, rated G

.

Maturin · **Reply #16 on:** June 03, 2011, 09:58:24 pm

Gentlemen, that´s a challenge! And changing the damned rubbers will save a lot of cash aswell, as ordering tires in the net will cost about 20% less! In case you want the wheels to be balanced, you can still carry them to a workshop.
It feels much better to ride a homemade wheel

SimonT · **Reply #17 on:** June 05, 2011, 11:09:18 pm

Well... i did it....
I think it took me over 3hours though... and its not a fun job in the slightest...

i think the hardest bit was getting the tire back on... that last little bit was a killer...

thanks for all the tips guys... and next time, time permitting, ill be getting a shop to do it :p

GreenMachine · **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:00:19 am

is it that bad...did u change out a low profile 18 inch tire or r we talking about the 19 inch tires with oem avons...seems like some people r saying its hell and others it's no big deal...

SimonT · **Reply #19 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:12:13 am

Its a C5... so 18"...with the Avon road riders i hink.

r80rt · **Reply #20 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:13:16 am

Low profile, man those things area pain to change

GreenMachine · **Reply #21 on:** June 06, 2011, 12:36:26 am

that explains it..so many bikes and tire combos...thanks

barenekd · **Reply #22 on:** June 06, 2011, 06:27:28 pm

Always use talc in a tubed tire. It keeps the tube from abrading against the tire and wearing itself out. Tubes can be reused many times, unless holed by some external force. Then they can be patched if you are good at that. Those that get pinched in the R&R process are probably shot!
Bare