Topic: Removing Old, HARD Tires.....

[BenelliSEI]

A few years ago, I bought a new set of tires and my local “friendly dealer” charged me over $100 to mount tires I bought from them. I already knew I could have bought the tires for $100 less on line, so a +$200 experience!

I bought a set of spoons (really strong, polished, long ones), rim protectors, valve stem lanyard, and a wheel balancing/ rim truing stand (total: about $200). Since then, I’ve been building my own wheels, mounting and balancing new tires, etc.

Yesterday, I had to remove a 15+ year old tire from a nice alloy rim. The shop was cold, and so was the impossibly hard tire. Here’s a really good short cut: fitted a 1” fibre cutting wheel to my high speed Dremel Tool. Using the rim protectors and two tire irons, pop the tire bead over one side of the rim. I cut a two inch wide strip of sheet steel (very thin) and slid it under the bead to protect the rim. Using the Dremel, I cut through the wire cable, buried in the rim. This smokes and stinks, but only takes a minute. The steel cable sparks on the cutting wheel. When the sparks stop, your through. It pops about a 1” long slice in the bead and you can see it pop and spread a good bit. Flip the tire, and repeat on the other side. Lube the beads and proceed as usual. Took about two minutes to pop a tire that would have been impossible otherwise......

Works a treat! Good Luck!!

[Kelly E]

I put a new blade in the fixed blade box knife and cut the tire from bead to bead. Then I lever the bead away from the rim with tire irons and cut the bead wire with the small bolt cutters. I have also used the HF 3" electric cut-off wheel to cut the bead wire. Repeat on the other side and done. 

[BenelliSEI]

Kelly..... clever. I’ll try this too, less stink!

[wolf550]

when ever I see someone working rebuilding a wheel, it looks impossible for me.
I have a project wheel coming up that I would like to keep close and finish it all my myself (re-lace, true, tire install, etc.)
seeing you the more experienced forum members give positive advice definitely helps to keep me wanting to learn a new skill/s.
keep it up when I am on here asking question after question on it! LOL!

[BenelliSEI]

Wolf..... there is nothing nicer than a well polished hub, fresh spokes and rim, wrapped in a new tube and balanced tire. Especially when you do it all yourself. Take the plunge!

[wolf550]

Sounds good. Once I get the first of my bikes sold off, I will start my project thread and see how much help I can get. definitely motivated.

[Don R]

 Be sure the tire spoons are mirror smooth and use the flat side against the rim.  I got a set of cast steel ones and sanded them smooth on my belt sander. 

[low-side]

Like Don said, make sure the irons are smooth and I also use plastic rim protectors.  I haven't left a mark on a rim using that combination.  I too cut old tires off rather than try prying on them.  I cut a section of tire out with a cutting wheel and heat things up with a heat gun.  Then I lift the beads on either side and cut them.

[Shtonecb500]

Wolf..... there is nothing nicer than a well polished hub, fresh spokes and rim, wrapped in a new tube and balanced tire. Especially when you do it all yourself. Take the plunge!

this is truth.

[MRieck]

I put a new blade in the fixed blade box knife and cut the tire from bead to bead. Then I lever the bead away from the rim with tire irons and cut the bead wire with the small bolt cutters. I have also used the HF 3" electric cut-off wheel to cut the bead wire. Repeat on the other side and done. 

I have had to use a cut off wheel several times.

[Medyo Bastos]

I put a new blade in the fixed blade box knife and cut the tire from bead to bead. Then I lever the bead away from the rim with tire irons and cut the bead wire with the small bolt cutters. I have also used the HF 3" electric cut-off wheel to cut the bead wire. Repeat on the other side and done. 

I have had to use a cut off wheel several times.

Ako din


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[HondaMan]

A few years ago, I bought a new set of tires and my local “friendly dealer” charged me over $100 to mount tires I bought from them. I already knew I could have bought the tires for $100 less on line, so a +$200 experience!

I bought a set of spoons (really strong, polished, long ones), rim protectors, valve stem lanyard, and a wheel balancing/ rim truing stand (total: about $200). Since then, I’ve been building my own wheels, mounting and balancing new tires, etc.

Yesterday, I had to remove a 15+ year old tire from a nice alloy rim. The shop was cold, and so was the impossibly hard tire. Here’s a really good short cut: fitted a 1” fibre cutting wheel to my high speed Dremel Tool. Using the rim protectors and two tire irons, pop the tire bead over one side of the rim. I cut a two inch wide strip of sheet steel (very thin) and slid it under the bead to protect the rim. Using the Dremel, I cut through the wire cable, buried in the rim. This smokes and stinks, but only takes a minute. The steel cable sparks on the cutting wheel. When the sparks stop, your through. It pops about a 1” long slice in the bead and you can see it pop and spread a good bit. Flip the tire, and repeat on the other side. Lube the beads and proceed as usual. Took about two minutes to pop a tire that would have been impossible otherwise......

Works a treat! Good Luck!!

Great tip!
It works well on 1970 original Bridgestones, too...

[BenelliSEI]

We did the 21” front tire on the Trans Alp, Thursday. It was so small and large diameter, thought it might be easier. Wrong! Sliced the tire bead with the Dremel, and it popped right off.