This past Saturday I had set myself an ambitious project - changing the XR650L knobbies (death cornering!) for some more street friendly Avon Trailriders front
and back. I had employed the services of Anders to keep me right in technique and in case I couldnt do it
. This would be only my second time changing tires on a bike (last time was front tire on the CB750). Plus I was testing out my recently purchased trail stand that is necessary since the XR dosent have a center stand.
Trail stand works as advertised allowing for both front and back wheels to be removed
After many breaks, lots of sweating and muscling on my part and nearly 2 1/2 hrs later...
New tires warming in the sun to make it easier to get them on - it helped a lot!
The front
Trail stand lifting the rear and front
The front wheel required more inflates/deflates to get the tire to seat properly - part of issue was the tires were tubless so tighter sidewalls - eventually we went to the gas station and got it up to 102 psi
The final result - corners sooooo much better!
Points to note:
1. KTM tire irons are superior to anything I had - which were two long motion pro tire irons and two short ones. The KTM ones have the right ends and it makes it much easier. 3 irons make it easier.
2. Getting the valve back in the rim defeated me this time - looking at getting a valve stem puller to help out here
3. Getting the new tire on was easier in the front. The final bit requires some strength and I discovered that I need more strength
4. Right now I could probably patch a tube in the wilds but probably couldnt change a tire yet - need more practice!
The CB750K4 sunning itself waiting for a ride
cheers
Andy
