Topic: inner tube stem install

[my name is nobody]

A rookie question, what's the easiest way to get the tire stem into that little hole in the rim?
My 550 is impossible to get lined up on the rear tire. Don't recall it ever being as difficult on the 750. Thoughts or suggestions? thx.

[ekpent]

 No real easy way that I know but brute force and some squashed fingers. Always hard getting it in there with the new tire raising up.

[madmtnmotors]

One suggestion that was made in a thread here on the forum (with pictures!) that stuck in my head was the use of two short blocks of wood, 2x2 (2x4 would work using the short side) on either side of the stem between the unmounted bead and the rim. Now this will pull the bead on the opposite side up enough to cover the hole for the stem, but with the blocks in place between the near side bead and the rim you have more room to get your hands in there and push down on the backside bead as you guide the stem into place. Some tires have more rigid sidewalls and different construction techniques may cause the beads to naturally pull inwards towards each other. I've had a couple tires on the 750 that weren't very pliable (i.e. forgiving) when trying to reach inside the outer, unmounted bead. I found the blocks to make things easier to manage.

Good luck!

[Nic]

Easy, put the valve stem into the rim first with the nut half way on just to stop it disappearing back into the tyre.
You leave the tube out, put the tyre over the rim where the valve is, using some soapy water and a rubber hammer put the underside of the tyre on, that's it, then with some baby power put the tube inside the tyre, inflate the tube a bee's dick then rubber hammer and soapy water the tyre on.

[pjlogue]

I use an old valve core with a 2' length of wire soldered on the end.  Fish the wire through the valve stem hole in the rim, thread the old core into the valve stem and pull it through carefully.

-P. 

[05c50]

If you mount any number of tube tires, you'll want one of these http://www.ebay.com/itm/Tire-Valve-Stem-Fishing-Tool-With-Valve-Core-Remover-Inner-Tube-Snake-Puller-f-/152356067210?hash=item237921178a:g:1ZIAAOSwo4pYUXAc&vxp=mtr  It threads into the inside of the valve stem so that you can pull the stem up through the hole in the rim. If you search around, you can find cheaper ones that work just as good.

........Paul

[ekpent]

 Thats a cool idea,did not know of that contraption.

[my name is nobody]

just wanted to pass along a word of thanks to all who posted to this thread.  fingers smashed and knuckles bleeding, I ended up taking the whole thing to the dealer and wimped out. Nonetheless, your ideas are all good. thanks for taking the time to reply.

[ekpent]

just wanted to pass along a word of thanks to all who posted to this thread.  fingers smashed and knuckles bleeding, I ended up taking the whole thing to the dealer and wimped out. Nonetheless, your ideas are all good. thanks for taking the time to reply.

  The older I get the more I think that's a good idea. Dealers get a little snotty though if you did not buy the tire from them.

[seanbarney41]

just wanted to pass along a word of thanks to all who posted to this thread.  fingers smashed and knuckles bleeding, I ended up taking the whole thing to the dealer and wimped out. Nonetheless, your ideas are all good. thanks for taking the time to reply.

  The older I get the more I think that's a good idea. Dealers get a little snotty though if you did not buy the tire from them.

and then still have some underpaid kid #$%* up on our vintage stuff...such as front tire with the arrow going the wrong way, not getting the colored dot aligned with the valve stem, not seating the bead fully etc.  Go to Action Cycle and make an old girl do it right lol.  While you are waiting you can butter up Tommy to let ya see some Z1 goodies.  Yeah, I think even Action Cycle charge more if you don't buy a tire but at least you know it will be better than you could do yourself.

[my name is nobody]

It probly helps that I bought the tube from them, and am in the system for past purchases. They seem to know what's up, and there a few older guys who recognize the old stuff there. They cut me
a little slack on labor too. Hoping for the best. Wish they'd hurry tho, I wanna ride!

[ekpent]

just wanted to pass along a word of thanks to all who posted to this thread.  fingers smashed and knuckles bleeding, I ended up taking the whole thing to the dealer and wimped out. Nonetheless, your ideas are all good. thanks for taking the time to reply.

  The older I get the more I think that's a good idea. Dealers get a little snotty though if you did not buy the tire from them.

and then still have some underpaid kid #$%* up on our vintage stuff...such as front tire with the arrow going the wrong way, not getting the colored dot aligned with the valve stem, not seating the bead fully etc.  Go to Action Cycle and make an old girl do it right lol.  While you are waiting you can butter up Tommy to let ya see some Z1 goodies.  Yeah, I think even Action Cycle charge more if you don't buy a tire but at least you know it will be better than you could do yourself.

+1 Sean. We both better be laying some heavy butter as this will probably be his last summer in biz.

[ekpent]

It probly helps that I bought the tube from them, and am in the system for past purchases. They seem to know what's up, and there a few older guys who recognize the old stuff there. They cut me
a little slack on labor too. Hoping for the best. Wish they'd hurry tho, I wanna ride!

How much did they charge you for an install and balance ?

[my name is nobody]

It probly helps that I bought the tube from them, and am in the system for past purchases. They seem to know what's up, and there a few older guys who recognize the old stuff there. They cut me
a little slack on labor too. Hoping for the best. Wish they'd hurry tho, I wanna ride!

How much did they charge you for an install and balance ?

Think a half hour(?) 27.50. At this point with all the aggravation, I didn't care any more.
It's only 2 miles from home and convenient for those things you can only get from a dealer
so I use them on occasion. No independent shops close to home, guy who I used to use retired