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New Knobby tyres #142100 07/07/18 07:31 AM
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Paul49 Offline OP
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Just fitted new Knobblies to my Serow, this is a job I hate doing & don't want to do again, it's like going 16 rounds with a pair of angry bears.

I used a trick I found on utube, red rubber grease on tube, less chance of nipping them. Seems to have worked...up to now.


Current: 1958 Ariel 650 FH, 2014 Tiger Sport1050, 1995 XT225 Serow, 2016 Tiger 800 XRx.
Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: Paul49] #142110 07/08/18 09:51 PM
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Muniac Offline
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I too don't much like changing motorcycle tires. I have 3 spoons which help. You can break the bead with a 4" C-clamp. I also let the tires sit in the sun to get the rubber hot. If you use a 12"x3"x3/4" wooden slab, you can hold the bead away from the rim. Helps get the tube out. I put the valve stem through the rim less the tire. Then fit the tire over the tube at the valve stem putting the tube into the tire before prying it over the rim. Avoids fighting the tire trying to get the tube in. Trying to push the valve stem through the rim after the tire is 1/2 on sucks. One of those cable snakes might help but I don't have one. As for a lubricant, I use WD40. Soap or KY also are good. The job sucks and I never look forward to it.

All that said, it's nice to get new rubber on the bike.


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Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: Paul49] #142111 07/08/18 11:13 PM
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peejman Offline
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Changing tires isn't what I do for fun, but I don't find it that difficult either. If you're having to wrestle with it, you're doing something wrong. I've got a bead breaker for tubeless tires, but never needed it with the XT. Just unscrew the valve cores and push the beads off.

I've got rim protectors and 3 spoons and just work mu way around. I use soapy water for lube. I put the new tire half on, then put the tube in, then carefully put the other bead on. I inflate the tube a little and wiggle it around to help make sure it's not pinched anywhere. Then soap it up good and inflate to seat the bead. Installing the bead locker on the rear is the hardest part.

I just like how easy the XT is on tires. I used to change them 2-3 times/yr on my sportbike.


This shall pass, be still and know.
2006 XT225, UNI filter, ProTaper bars, MSR handguards, SS front brake line, Shinko 241's.
Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: Paul49] #142114 07/09/18 08:00 AM
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Paul49 Offline OP
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Interesting, I like Muniacs valve fitting method, if ever there's a next time I'll give it a go.

I basically did as peejman. Then valve - lever in back side with 2 blocks in top side to painfully squeeze my stubby fingers in & wriggle valves into holes, worst bit.

Are knobbly tyres getting stiffer or is it me getting older & weaker, fitted plenty over the years, they only last 2k-3k miles, maybe the heat at 33°c didn't help, sweat pouring off me.

Could be I need some old farts long levers, I used the ones I carry on my bike in case of punctures eg
https://www.adventure-spec.com/default/tyre-tools-buzzetti-240mm-tyre-lever-set-of-3.html

The rear tyre a Dunlop Geomax had worn evenly but the front a Bridgestone gritty wore badly with every other centre knob worn more than the next which wore at a sharp angle. Never had this with any other knobblies. See pics






Current: 1958 Ariel 650 FH, 2014 Tiger Sport1050, 1995 XT225 Serow, 2016 Tiger 800 XRx.
Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: Paul49] #142115 07/09/18 03:27 PM
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Muniac Offline
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Lots of ways to get this job done. The front tire is much easier. What happens here is the razor sharp rocks cut the outside knobs off the tires. When too many are gone, then new tires are in order. There is a plasticizing agent in rubber. Over time the rubber gets stiff as that agent deteriorates. Breaking the bead on the front is easy. Rear tire is tougher. Sometimes just pushing on it is enough. I've used a BIG honking rubber mallet but prefer a C-clamp.

If you're having trouble prying the bead over the rim, make sure as much of the opposing bead as possible is centered in the rim declivity. This essential reduces the diameter and helps.

I also always use the heavy duty motocross tubes. More rubber to fight. For me, the tire changing job sucks. Always has always will. But I get through it with the help of a few F bombs. laugh


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Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: Paul49] #142116 07/09/18 04:29 PM
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cogitech Offline
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Paul, that front tire wear looks exactly like my current front tire, which is a Kenda K760 Trackmaster II. I think it is pretty normal wear for this type of tread pattern (despite looking so abnormal).


'06 XT225, 2" hole in airbox, Z1 mod, 127.5 main jet, UNI air filter, Corbin seat, PIAA 500Hz, custom aluminum rear rack.
Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: Paul49] #142118 07/09/18 05:20 PM
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Muniac Offline
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I've used the Kenda 760 on the rear for many years. Tire wears evenly and runs well off road. At least in my case.


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Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: cogitech] #142119 07/09/18 05:37 PM
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Paul49 Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: cogitech
Paul, that front tire wear looks exactly like my current front tire, which is a Kenda K760 Trackmaster II. I think it is pretty normal wear for this type of tread pattern (despite looking so abnormal).


Thank you, I had Pirelli & Michelin tyres on my previous Serow & didn't get this + they lasted considerably longer. I was wondering if I had a problem with the wheel. Cheers pal.


Current: 1958 Ariel 650 FH, 2014 Tiger Sport1050, 1995 XT225 Serow, 2016 Tiger 800 XRx.
Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: Muniac] #142120 07/09/18 05:45 PM
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Paul49 Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: Muniac
I've used the Kenda 760 on the rear for many years. Tire wears evenly and runs well off road. At least in my case.


Is it only the front that wears odd like mine?


Current: 1958 Ariel 650 FH, 2014 Tiger Sport1050, 1995 XT225 Serow, 2016 Tiger 800 XRx.
Re: New Knobby tyres [Re: Paul49] #142122 07/09/18 06:05 PM
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cogitech Offline
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Yes, K760 on the rear wears normally - K760 on the front wears just like Paul's second photo. Cupping/angle wear from braking, but not all knobs/bars wear the same way. It looks very odd from a side profile and it feels weird at slow speeds on the tarmac.

I don't run the K760 on the rear anymore but I still have it and can take photos of the front and rear to show the strange front wear (if anyone cares to see it).

Last edited by cogitech; 07/09/18 06:07 PM.

'06 XT225, 2" hole in airbox, Z1 mod, 127.5 main jet, UNI air filter, Corbin seat, PIAA 500Hz, custom aluminum rear rack.
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