Pennytech Bead Breaker

[bemiiten]

You can spend the bucks and mount a tire changer to the floor taking up valuable space, or just grab a few short lengths of 2x4 and a 2x6 about 5 feet long. This is all you need for breaking your tire bead.

First thing to do is remove the valve stem

Next set up the wheel so the brake rotor is protected from hitting the ground.

Stand next to the wheel and jump onto the 2x6 close to the tire. Use a little follow through and you can easily achieve the desired result. Flip the wheel over and break the other side loose the same way.

For rim protectors,I have had the best results using two rubber sheets that are 1/8" thick ,4 wide and 10 long. I insert the sheet between the wheel and tire iron. The large surface allows the iron some leeway in movement with no fear of marring the wheel.

Start (and Finnish) prying with the irons at the part of the tire farthest from you , using your knees to hold the tire closest to you in the middle of the rim. Use lots of soapy water to help.

Getting the second bead over the rim is tricky. I usually use 1 iron and a knee to peel the tire off.

When installing the new tire , the first bead will pop on with no tools , just soapy water. The better job you do keeping the tire closest to you in the rim "valley" , the less force it will take to pry the last bead on. Leaving the tires sit in the sun prior to starting makes it essayer too.

I Finnish up using a home made balancer setup. ALWAYS use a torque wrench on your wheel studs and brake calipers.

[S/W]

I use a big C clamp and a couple small pieces of lexan. I carry these under the seat.
S/W

[ghostdncr]

I use the kickstand.

Well, if there's a spare one available.

[DRxDR]

Thanks for posting and good job fabricating the balancer. BTW, that old Tourance looks like it still has some miles left on it...said the cheap bastard. wayne

[Poolside]

Nice post, bemiiten. Thanks. I have ALWAYS wanted to know if breaking the bead with a piece of timber like that would work. Cool Pennytech.

- Jim

[Cogswell]

Same beadbreaker I use, works well too. I cut up plastic laundry detergent bottles for rim protectors. You can cut any size you need.

Mike

[bemiiten]

Originally Posted by DRxDR

Thanks for posting and good job fabricating the balancer. BTW, that old Tourance looks like it still has some miles left on it...said the cheap bastard. wayne

A few more , but not enough for a planed trip down to Deal's Gap and back. That's why this cheap bastard mounted up a take off from last season!

[eap]

thanks for the write up and pics bemitten - I also have used my car to drive over the tire to break the bead.

[matey peeps]

[K2ride]

Originally Posted by matey peeps

This method even works with the rear 950adv tire!

Ever since I started to use this method to break the bead,
I`ve been changing tires simply for the fun of it...
it`s almost as good as my brother`s big`ol GS kickstand!

[Iraqisunsets]

Originally Posted by DRxDR

Thanks for posting and good job fabricating the balancer. BTW, that old Tourance looks like it still has some miles left on it...said the cheap bastard. wayne

I recently put some 400 miles on a tire that looked just like that - that took it down to the point where a different compound of rubber was showing in places, and then I had it changed. The mechanic that did it made a point to show me how little tire was left - it was quite alarming - one sharp rock would have had me on the side of the road. My comfort level was passed, and I won't do that again, unless I'm real close to home. ( the wilds of BC are a long way from home )

[hoagy]

so are you telling me that the bmw wire wheels are tubeless?

well if that dont beat all.

seriously, i am looking at buying a GSAdventure and i thought 'dam it has wire wheels, you would think tubeless would be the way to go?'

well i learned something new tonight.



hoagy

[sierraoffroad]

the spoked wheels are an option and are supposed to be stronger than the cast wheels.

[swingset]

Originally Posted by hoagy

so are you telling me that the bmw wire wheels are tubeless?

well if that dont beat all.

seriously, i am looking at buying a GSAdventure and i thought 'dam it has wire wheels, you would think tubeless would be the way to go?'

well i learned something new tonight.



hoagy

Look at where the spokes attach, as compared with a normal spoked offroad rim. That's how they do it. Quite clever, they should have put the wheel guys in charge of final drives.



BTW, breaking the bead can be incredibly stubborn on rear tires, I had one the last time around, using the 2x4 and a small board method that lifted the entire rear end of an SUV up in the air without separating the bead. It broke 1 2x4, but some weight in the vehicle (my friends) and a 2x4 instead and it finally gave way. Nothing made for road-side bead breaking would have done it, no way.