Author Topic: Proper Tire Mounting? (Read 6066 times)

DrMark · « **on:** July 10, 2006, 09:43:26 AM »

Hello Gang;
I know Dunlop and several other brands put a painted spot on new tires to show the heaviest or lightest point in the tire to aid in proper mounting/balancing. Do all companies do this? A friend just bought a set of the Cheng Shin Barracudas for a 1979 GS550. I mentioned to him about the painted spot....he stated his tires did not have any. Anything I should tell him to aid in balancing his wheels? Thanks, Dr. Mark

crazypj · « **Reply #1 on:** July 10, 2006, 11:36:38 AM »

not all have balance 'dot' some have a circle and some are balanced at the factory so it doesnt matter too much how you fit them ( but the wheel may have a heavy/light spot so its worth checking)
PJ

rab1dwolf · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2006, 10:23:32 PM »

its usually assumed that the valve area of the rim is heaviest so you put the dot opposite of it, but after spending a whole day doing tires that isnt always the case:) good rule of thumb but not quite right...just make sure you got some weights handy;)

dakeddie · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2006, 10:31:57 PM »

I think you have it backwards. The dot should line up with the valve, not 180deg away.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2006, 02:03:04 AM »

Quote from: dakeddie on July 10, 2006, 10:31:57 PM

I think you have it backwards. The dot should line up with the valve, not 180deg away.

I agree, align the dot with the valve core.

jph550 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2006, 08:35:34 AM »

I've run across suggestions to find the rims true heaviest point without a tire first and then line the dot up on that instead of the valve stem.
I'm putting new tires on soon so I may have an opportunity to try it out. Or I may just do it the tried and true way and line it up with the valve stem hole.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2006, 10:12:05 AM »

Quote

I've run across suggestions to find the rims true heaviest point without a tire first and then line the dot up on that instead of the valve stem.

I'm no tire expert, but this doesn't seem logical to me. The checking the wheel alone seems problematic since the minute you mount the tube, the point you identified will change because of the valve core. Then you mount the tire.

$:-\$ . It won't be fun to reposition the tire if you have to. Clearly just my two cents.

Rushoid · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2006, 10:28:28 AM »

I have a Barracuda on my front. I'll look at it tonight when I get home to see where the weight is and if there's a mark somewhere on the tire. I didn't mount/balance it myself so I don't know what method they used.

Rushoid · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2006, 05:20:50 PM »

OK, I just checked my tire. There is a faint, dark, red circle next to the valve. The weight is about 1/5 rotation behind. Hope this helps.

jph550 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2006, 05:37:26 PM »

Thanks for the comments,
I'll just stick to the tried and true method of lining the dot up with the valve stem.
peace

Head · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:07:06 AM »

All tire and wheel assembles should be balanced after mounting. Also when mounting it should be inflated and deflated to make
sure the tire is mounted evenly on the wheel.It varies some times,yellow dot goes with valve stem,unless there is a factory colored dot on the rim,comstar,mags but not spoke wheels. HEAD

DiscoEd · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2006, 05:35:34 PM »

Quote from: head on July 21, 2006, 11:07:06 AM

Also when mounting it should be inflated and deflated to make sure the tire is mounted evenly on the wheel.

O.K., So I'm trying to get a new Spitfire S11 mounted up on the front of the 550 K1. The problem is that the tire doesn't seem to want to mount up evenly. I've tried inflating, deflating, and reflating to no avail. Even tried bouncing the tire up and down several times. No mater what I try the "bead ring" on the side wall tire doesn't seem to be even around the rim. At one point on the the tire the "bead ring" is right up to the rim edge and at the opposite side of the wheel the "bead ring" is 1/4" away from the rim edge.

When I rotate the tire on the stand, there is about 1/4" + of "out of round" of the tire. I don't think the rim is at fault, as I don't see that kind of play in the rim when checking "out of round" of the rim with a dial indicator.

Any suggestions on what to do?

Do I just mount it and ride for a bit to see if that will bring it in? I can imagine that it will feel like a "clown bike" with square wheels if I try that!

Regards,
DiscoEd

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2006, 05:51:26 PM »

Did you use any lube between the tire wall and rim? When I mounted mine, I used some detergent/water, may not help with any rust in there, but it worked.

DiscoEd · « **Reply #13 on:** July 31, 2006, 05:57:24 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on July 31, 2006, 05:51:26 PM

Did you use any lube between the tire wall and rim? When I mounted mine, I used some detergent/water, may not help with any rust in there, but it worked.

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reply! I did use the old dishsoap and water elixer around both sides of the rim. I tried to work it in around the edge of tire as well as I could. I also scruffed off most of the rust with a drill mounted wire brush.

Thank you,
DiscoEd

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #14 on:** July 31, 2006, 05:59:48 PM »

Well, that was my one idea, sorry. I had a hell of a time with mine, but not with the kind of problem you are describing. Maybe someone else has a good thought.

nickjtc · « **Reply #15 on:** July 31, 2006, 06:06:45 PM »

Quote from: jph550 on July 18, 2006, 05:37:26 PM

Thanks for the comments,
I'll just stick to the tried and true method of lining the dot up with the valve stem.
peace

This has always worked for me.

When we did the rear tyre change on Saturday, swapping a Spitfire for a Spitfire, we thought that we would see how things balanced without changing the existing weight. The balance was perfect, exactly as it had been before. It says a lot for the accuracy of the balancing at the Bridgestone factory, and their placement of the yellow marker ring.

ofreen · « **Reply #16 on:** July 31, 2006, 06:33:57 PM »

Quote from: DiscoEd on July 31, 2006, 05:57:24 PM

Quote from: Bob Wessner on July 31, 2006, 05:51:26 PM
Did you use any lube between the tire wall and rim? When I mounted mine, I used some detergent/water, may not help with any rust in there, but it worked.

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reply! I did use the old dishsoap and water elixer around both sides of the rim. I tried to work it in around the edge of tire as well as I could. I also scruffed off most of the rust with a drill mounted wire brush.

Thank you,
DiscoEd

I don't like using dishsoap and water. Tire mounting lube like Ru-Glide works a lot better. It is slickery stuff. It can be had at NAPA. It can be used for other things, such as on side cover grommets, keeps them supple. Helps with installing heater hoses. You'll find other uses for it, too. If you don't want to buy a gallon of it, maybe a tire shop will give you some.

DiscoEd · « **Reply #17 on:** July 31, 2006, 06:47:35 PM »

I wonder, do I just need to really put some high air pressure to it for a short period of time? I think the recommend no more then 45PSI, but perhaps a bit more would seat the bead in the right place.

-DiscoEd

mic-57 · « **Reply #18 on:** August 01, 2006, 05:22:46 AM »

Not to ask a stupid question, but is the tire the correct size for the rim? I found when I mounted my tires (mine have tubes) that inflating to about 20 psi and then letting the air out helped set the tire and align the tube in the rim.

Head · « **Reply #19 on:** August 01, 2006, 09:03:25 AM »

Deflate and make sure that a small piece of inner tube is not pinched under the tire bead.The Ru-lube is the better way to go,dish soap
rots rubber,but it sure bets nothing,I think we've all done it?Some tires can be real (sob).45-50 lbs is the max on inflating to seat the
Bead of the tire. Above that the tire could blow off the rim,that is quite dangerous.When mounting tires always keep your face away,
do'nt need any head injures! Lube the rim both insides and the intire bead of the tire both sides, Don,t force it! Always recheck every thing if there is a problem like this! Head

cbjunkie · « **Reply #20 on:** August 01, 2006, 09:04:27 AM »

i'll be doing this tonight.

good discussion guys, thanks a lot!

Gabus · « **Reply #21 on:** August 01, 2006, 09:19:36 AM »

I have seen this work. Put a big gob (1-1.5") of grease all the way around the rim/tire seal area and then inflate or just try on the problem area.

eldar · « **Reply #22 on:** August 01, 2006, 09:31:41 AM »

yup gotta watch for pinched tubes or even twisted tubes. Most tubes actually get damaged while putting the time on the rim. People pinch the tube with tire irons by accident.

What you should do is get ONE side of the tire on, put in the tube and air it up some to get it round and somewhat firm. This prevents twists in the tube and helps to keep it from getting pinched.

I dont think I would use grease on the bead though. I think part of the job with the ru-lube it so help seal when it dries to prevent the bead from slipping.

cbjunkie · « **Reply #23 on:** August 01, 2006, 09:33:43 AM »

what's the best tire tool to get?

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #24 on:** August 01, 2006, 09:45:28 AM »

Almost any designed for the job will do, just make sure you don't get any with sharp corners/edges. They sell plastic rim savers so you don't lever directly against the metal rims. I bought some, but frankly found them too thick, getting them out was a hassle. On the second tire I cut strips from a 1 liter pop bottle, thick enough for a single use and easier to extract.

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Author Topic: Proper Tire Mounting? (Read 6066 times)

Gabus

eldar