How to Repair a Mini Bike Tire
There is no better way to ruin a good ride on the trails than a flat tire on your mini bike. More often than not, a flat tire can be repaired with a simple inner tube replacement, but what if the tire itself has been damaged? Luckily, a small piece of rubber called a tire boot can temporarily fix most damaged tires so you can get back home, so carry a tire boot and an inner tube with you on every ride, and learn how to install it.
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Instructions
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1
Carefully flip your mini bike over onto its handlebars and seat so that both wheels are suspended in the air. You may need to drag the bike to a flat, level area so you can work without worry of it falling over and being damaged. Alternatively, prop the frame center of the mini bike on a nearby stump or other object so that you can work.
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2
Using a socket and wrench, loosen and remove the axle nut of the wheel with the damaged tire. Slide the axle bolt out of the wheel and pull the wheel out of the swing-arm or front fork. Set the axle bolt and nut somewhere safe so they don't get lost.
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3
Wedge a tire lever between the rim and the bead of the tire. Pull the tire lever down toward the hub, then slide it around the rim to separate the tire from the wheel. Remove the damaged inner tube from inside the tire and inspect the damaged area of the tire from the inside.
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4
Wipe the damaged area of the inside of the tire clean with a rag, T-shirt, leaf or anything else you have handy. The damaged area needs to be dry so that the tire boot will stick. Remove the tire boot from its packaging and peel off the adhesive backing. Stick the tire boot in place over the damaged area and allow it to set for five minutes before continuing.
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5
Set one bead of the tire on the rim. Insert the valve of a new inner tube into the valve hole on the rim and push the tube up into the tire all the way around the wheel. Begin pushing the second bead of the tire onto the rim by hand. If it gets too difficult to install (as some tires sit very tight on the rim), use a tire lever to wedge the bead into place. Be careful not to pinch or puncture the new inner tube with the tire lever.
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6
Fill the tire using a hand pump to the recommended pressure printed on the sidewall. Slide the wheel back into place in the swing arm or front fork and slide the axle bolt through the hub to hold it in place. Twist the axle nut onto the end of the axle and tighten it securely with a socket and wrench. Now that your tire is once again holding air, ride back home and have the tire replaced at your earliest convenience.
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