07-30-2022, 05:42 AM
Thursday morning I had a wild hair and decided to try the "wire tie" method of tire removal/mounting and see if I could patch my punctured 180/55R17 rear tire. If all went well, I would reinstall the tire and run it for another 1000 miles (thread depth: 3/32 minimum over the bars). I've seen the YouTube videos on the wire tie method, so it's a proven fact.
Breaking the bead wasn't too bad. I used the Pickup trailer hitch mount as an upside-down fulcrum and pinched the tire with a 2x4 lever and offset wedge block. These precision tools were wood straps in the shop.
24-inch wire ties would have been perfect, but the local HomeDepot only had 14-inch ties. I assumed I needed to wrap the tire at 8 points or every 45 degrees. The store Econo brand HDX ties were cheapest but too wimpy for the task........they broke while compressing the tire. The next cheapest (Commercial Electric) brand ties were rated at 60 lbs and worked well enough for the job. The object is to make the beads touch all the way around the tire.
I slit a piece of small diameter (5/8") garden house to make rim protectors and used a very mild solution of Simple Green as a lubricant. Why Simple Green? It was handy in the shop and makes soapy bubbles. At that point in time, my 30-seconds of rigorous research and application of the scientific method said ... it should work.
Either my lube didn't lubricate or I'm just a wimp, but 6-inches of bead was about all I could get over the rim after 30-minutes of struggle. After another 30-minutes, using some taper wood shims, the tire was off. I was soaked with sweat, but the rim wasn't scratched. Next step, patching the tire.
Since I didn't have the cleaner (buffing solution), vulcanizing compound (glue), good quality radial patch or roller, I ran to my local auto garage for this simple job. The first shop said they didn't think their round patch would adhere to a rounded profile MC tire (the hole was slightly off center). The second shop said they never install patches because plugs are better. The 3rd shop, which does ATV repairs, said there isn't enough interior material on an MC tire to properly buff the material for patching. The last shop was willing to sell a patch and lend me a can of vulcanizing compound, but then declined when they saw the plug and claimed it was too big of a hole.
Driving home. my friend with the tire changer texted me. His shop would be open tomorrow afternoon. At that point, I determined I had enough education and discovered I didn't care about the remaining 1000 miles of tread wear.
Breaking the bead wasn't too bad. I used the Pickup trailer hitch mount as an upside-down fulcrum and pinched the tire with a 2x4 lever and offset wedge block. These precision tools were wood straps in the shop.
24-inch wire ties would have been perfect, but the local HomeDepot only had 14-inch ties. I assumed I needed to wrap the tire at 8 points or every 45 degrees. The store Econo brand HDX ties were cheapest but too wimpy for the task........they broke while compressing the tire. The next cheapest (Commercial Electric) brand ties were rated at 60 lbs and worked well enough for the job. The object is to make the beads touch all the way around the tire.
I slit a piece of small diameter (5/8") garden house to make rim protectors and used a very mild solution of Simple Green as a lubricant. Why Simple Green? It was handy in the shop and makes soapy bubbles. At that point in time, my 30-seconds of rigorous research and application of the scientific method said ... it should work.
Either my lube didn't lubricate or I'm just a wimp, but 6-inches of bead was about all I could get over the rim after 30-minutes of struggle. After another 30-minutes, using some taper wood shims, the tire was off. I was soaked with sweat, but the rim wasn't scratched. Next step, patching the tire.
Since I didn't have the cleaner (buffing solution), vulcanizing compound (glue), good quality radial patch or roller, I ran to my local auto garage for this simple job. The first shop said they didn't think their round patch would adhere to a rounded profile MC tire (the hole was slightly off center). The second shop said they never install patches because plugs are better. The 3rd shop, which does ATV repairs, said there isn't enough interior material on an MC tire to properly buff the material for patching. The last shop was willing to sell a patch and lend me a can of vulcanizing compound, but then declined when they saw the plug and claimed it was too big of a hole.
Driving home. my friend with the tire changer texted me. His shop would be open tomorrow afternoon. At that point, I determined I had enough education and discovered I didn't care about the remaining 1000 miles of tread wear.
I knocked, but the door was open.......
Central PA: 2016 Lupin RS - Keys and no TPMS
Central PA: 2016 Lupin RS - Keys and no TPMS