Tricks to setting beads on new tires

[97oilhead]

I was wondering if there are any tricks to setting the beads on the new Mac 50's with Metzler tubes?

The tires are mounted but the bead is not sitting right. It is about 1\8 to 1\4 inch to low on rim for about 12 inches on both tires.

The tubes are new and dusted with talc, rims were cleaned and smooth, beads were lubed with dish detergent cut with a little water. I added up to 45 PSI air pressure.

Should I be trying more air pressure and if so how high can I go?

Thanks,

Nick

[Nibis]

I use windex, lots of it, then air up to as much as 80 psi, and bounce the tire on the ground if you have to

[Stagehand]

Yup. All that...

[Wirespokes]

It's not recommended to go over 60 lbs, or maybe less.

I used dish soap for years, but used a squirt in a cup of water. Sounds like less than you. I'd heard that dish soap can corrode the aluminum, so was always a bit concerned about that. That didn't always work the best for me, and now I use actual tire lube. Those suckers almost pop on by themselves now (about 30lbs pressure). I'd also used silicon grease - but that stuff is expensive - only used a light smear where I needed it.

At this point I'd suggest getting some tire lube or going to a tire shop and have them lube it up for you. If that's not do-able, try spraying some silicon lube on the rim and bead and try again.

One other trick I've heard of is to pour some gasoline into the tire (I wouldn't suggest it), swish it around so the fumes are everywhere in there, then light a match to the valve stem. KA BOOOM!!! and the tire's on. I've seen that for big truck tires, but don't think it'd be a good idea for the tube. It was probably tubeless tires they did that with.

[norton73]

starter fluid

[datchew]

i couldn't resist any more than norton

[Hotcurry]

Yep. A stiff tire that doesn't pop in right away can be a real test of your zen mojo.

Lube it up good (with tire lube). Air it up...a lot (40-60). Let the air out. Air it up again. Let it out. Again and again. If it doesn't seat, let it sit over night in a warm space (hopefully not too off-kilter on the rim). Air if up again, and let the air out, and up again. It will go in eventually.

I had two very stiff tires on new rims that I really thought I'd never get to seat. Drove me up the wall. I had to take one up to 70 to get it to seat. We all we're backing up and cringing the whole time, and it just popped in.

It can be a real bitch.

[Pudwak]

I wish this thread had been up last weekend. I just kept going from zero to 75psi and back again. Then I got pissed and nuked it up to 100ish psi a few times and that did the trick. This was my first mounting experience and I was considering spending the $30 for the local mount and balance. I got it done in the end, and it holds air. It's even balanced!

PS I should mention that I have a super low volume compressor. So pumping up to 75 or 100 psi takes a bit and it is a very frustrating experience. Thank god for BEER.

[Reryder]

Here in the tropics we leave the tire out in the sun for an hour or so, softens right up and gets way more flexible.

[97oilhead]

Thanks for the suggestions.

Tires are sitting out in the sun now and I will try a better lube.

[tennessee thumper]

Lighting the tire works great, just DO NOT USE GASOLINE.

Starting fluid works just as good and burns off quicker.

Spray it around the inside of the tire and rim...then spray a small "wick" or leader line running over the tire and on the ground so you have a little lead room to light it.

[boxermoose]

NAPA has tire mounting lube called RU-Glide that works great

real cheap and a gallon will last years