How to Change a Motorcycle Tire Rim
A flat tire or blowout on a motorcycle will put a damper on any ride. The knowledge of how to fix a flat tire on the fly is indispensable on long trips or group rides, and will save you time and money. Get back on the road much quicker by fixing your own flats.
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Instructions
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1
Put the motorcycle on its center-stand. If your motorcycle does not have one, prop it up on something sturdy that will support it with the flat tire suspended from the ground.
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2
Remove the wheel from the motorcycle's fork or swing-arm. If the flat tire is on the rear of the motorcycle, and the bike has a one-sided swing-arm, you may leave the wheel attached.
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3
Wedge the tire lever between the tire and the rim. Be sure that the head of the tire lever is all the way beneath the tire.
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4
Push the tire lever down toward the hub of the wheel. The tire bead should detach from the rim in a small area.
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5
Hold the spokes of the wheel with one hand, and push the tire lever away from you with the other. Slide the lever all the way around the rim to detach the tire bead completely.
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6
Remove the punctured inner-tube.
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7
Remove the new inner-tube from the packaging and inflate it slightly with an electric or hand pump. A partially inflated tube will pinch less easily when reinstalling the tire.
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8
Insert the stem of the tube through the stem hole on the rim, and push the remainder of the partially inflated tube inside the tire.
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9
Using your hands only, pull a section of the tire bead over the rim. Put as much of the bead in place as possible with only your hands.
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10
Wedge the tire lever between the rim and tire at the remaining section. Pull the tire lever up toward the rim to force the tire bead over the rim and into place.
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11
Inflate the tire to the recommended pressure stated on the side-wall. Re-attach the wheel to the motorcycle.
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Tips & Warnings
When using a tire lever to replace a tire, be careful not to pinch the tube between the lever and the rim. A pinched tube will almost surely blow out when inflated, requiring you to repeat the entire process with a new tube.
Flat tires can make for hard-to-control or balance motorcycles. It is best to avoid flats in the first place by keeping your tires properly inflated at all times.
