Topic: Holy sidewalls Batman!

[eigenvector]

Got a new rear tire for the CB700SC, and chose today to remove the old Metzler that was on there.  The Metzler was rotten to the core, and looked to be dang near 20 years old.

So my routine is to put the tire up on a couple of wooden block and use a 2x4 lever to break the bead
This isn't  me but it's basically how I do it -

Anyway, so I'm getting to it, and the first thing I notice is that the lever is raising my truck up about 4 inches  - not off the ground of course, just on the springs.  I was basically raising and lowering my truck for about 30 minutes before the bead finally gave way.  I can't believe how stiff those old sidewalls were.

Never got the new one installed, the cat informed me it was time to come in and watch him eat.

[70CB750]

I use high lift jack and front bumper on my jeep to do it.  Good trick is to lubricate it before you start and when you get the bead  to move at least little bit.  I use RU-Glyde.

[eigenvector]

It never entered my mind that I would even need that stuff.  I have a jug of Ru-Glyde for installing the new tires, but usually a tire this old practically falls apart on it's own.  I didn't even think the bead would be intact, it sat on a dead flat for umpteen years.

I didn't even look at the old tire size - it was old enough to where I didn't care and wouldn't have found a replacement anyway, but I suppose it's possible the previous owner used a non-standard size tire and it just didn't fit well to begin with.

No matter - it's off.

[754]

 I dont have a truck, so i just use two tire irons....

[Steve_K]

I have removed very old tires with a hack saw.  They were so stiff, I was afraid I would hurt the rim.  This was with the bead broken.  I used a bolt cutter with the hack saw to get through the bead.
Steve

[eigenvector]

New tire was a dream to install.  Slopped Ru-Glyde on the rim and bead, popped on without any real fuss.  Bead seated without having to use crazy pressures either.  Valve stem is messed up, have to replace that before I even think of dropping weight on the rim.

[70CB750]

I have removed very old tires with a hack saw.  They were so stiff, I was afraid I would hurt the rim.  This was with the bead broken.  I used a bolt cutter with the hack saw to get through the bead.
Steve

Yeah, done that too.  Sometimes it is faster than wrestle with the bead.