AF tubeless - can I really fit myself?

[Storkfoot]

I can see the significant safety benefits to tubeless rims, yet I have never tried them.

During the year, I have a mind to buy some and try them:

http://www.sip-scootershop.com/en/produ ... +_81037000

Now, if you play the video on that link, they are easy to fit with some tyre paste and some levers. I suspect the tyres used are thin walled ones, like say an S83. I don't use them, I use Heidenaus which are thicker walled and, I suspect, nowhere near as easy to get on.

So, as I seem to be forever changing tyres, I have two specific requirements:

(i) I want to be able to change them in my garage. I don't want to be have to trying to go to a motorbike shop every time one wears out. I'm perfectly prepared to buy something like the MB frame below to make it easier and a set of tyre levers.

(ii) I want to be able to go on a long trip, say, 1000 miles and start with two new tyres and a tyre plug/ gas canister kit.

http://www.scootertyrestore.co.uk/tyre/ ... b0792.html

Is this possible?

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

I would say getting them on is far easier than getting them off.
I've had a few sets and ruined one rim completely in trying to remove a Continental Navigator. Hacksaw and bolt cutters required.
That said I like them and carry a Holts Tyreweld canister and several plugs and gas cartridges.

[Markpm]

As said
You can get them on using soap,levers and the mb jig,heat the tyres first
Get them of using hacksaw/grinder/dremmel
You will need an airline to blow them over the bead so tbh you are as well letting the tyre place do it for a few quid
Saves chunking the rim as they are quite soft

[Storkfoot]

.......You will need an airline to blow them over the bead ....

Will a foot pump not do this?

Thanks for the replies

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

In my formative years I was a tyre fitter; long before all the current equipment was available.
Air pump is necessary as you bounce the tyre in order to try and get a temporary seal. We used to use an inflatable strap around the rolling surface of the tyre that forced it down and on to the sealing bead. You won't get anywhere with a foot pump.

[coaster]

I'll let you know soon Paul, I'm waiting on delivery of 3 of them when the guy on face book pulls his finger out I'll be trying to fit Dunlop ScootSmart to them which have the thick 3 ply construction. I have the levers and some plastic rim protectors. I did manage to get a Sava Monsum on AND off the Zip rim on the front of the jet with the aid of soap and didn't damage the painted finish (spray can orange). But as mentioned above you need to get the beads to seal on the rim and even a high pressure airline isn't always enough. I did manage to inflate it myself using an electric tyre inflator the first time by putting a ratchet strap around the tyre and stuffing paper towel into the gaps. I bounced to tyre and pushed and pulled and suddenly it sealed and started to inflate...I only just managed to pull the paper out in time. However the valve was leaking so I took it off again but on refitting I could not replicate my earlier success. I ended up going to a tyre depot and they used a compressed air cylinder with a wide flat nozzle to blast air into the bead whilst the airline was running, worked a treat.

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

It you don't have a ratchet strap or similar you can pull a piece of rope around the perimeter and knot a strong rod through it and rotate to tighten.

[gaz_powell]

It's something on my list to do - gonna try with some scootRs ones I acquired. I've made a holding jig from an old rim so I can put it in a vice then bolt the rim to it to give me a secure hold. Got some levers and made some rim protectors out of cut rubber tube, just need some tyres and soap. I ve just acquired a compressor so I've got a good air supply.
Just spotted some IRC MB90 for 16 quid each delivered - they should do - will use them for spares.
Having seen the fella in flip flops doing it on scootRs site it should be a piece of p%*s..............

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

Take the valve core OUT when initially trying to inflate over the beads.

[Storkfoot]

Coaster, yes, I'd love to hear how you get on with them. Good luck

[Angry Bloke]

I'll let you know soon Paul, I'm waiting on delivery of 3 of them when the guy on face book pulls his finger out I'll be trying to fit Dunlop ScootSmart to them which have the thick 3 ply construction. I have the levers and some plastic rim protectors. I did manage to get a Sava Monsum on AND off the Zip rim on the front of the jet with the aid of soap and didn't damage the painted finish (spray can orange). But as mentioned above you need to get the beads to seal on the rim and even a high pressure airline isn't always enough. I did manage to inflate it myself using an electric tyre inflator the first time by putting a ratchet strap around the tyre and stuffing paper towel into the gaps. I bounced to tyre and pushed and pulled and suddenly it sealed and started to inflate...I only just managed to pull the paper out in time. However the valve was leaking so I took it off again but on refitting I could not replicate my earlier success. I ended up going to a tyre depot and they used a compressed air cylinder with a wide flat nozzle to blast air into the bead whilst the airline was running, worked a treat.

Jarv did buy the MB holding tool and I made a bracket to hold it in a vice which I'm sure you could borrow for your attempt

[ladsdad]

Hi
Good luck trying to fit your tyres to the sip rims......last year I bought a set & some S1 tyres( which have quite stiff beads),after reading various posts about the difficulties of mounting tyres to alloy rims I did'nt fancy damaging the brand new rims so I looked around locally to me for a tyre fitter to tackle the job. A local motorcycle tyre shop did mine & most importantly did'nt damage the rims but did say it had taken two blokes half an hour to get one on so please don't come back with any more!

On the other hand I've used scootrs steel tubeless rims for years with no problems, plus they are relatively easy to fit tyres to... Firstly, warm the tyre up are fitting( if you are single or home alone & have an electric oven 15 mins @ 60°c), then generously coat the lip of the rim & the bead of the tyre with tyre soap( available from any tyre fitter for couple of pounds). Make sure if the tyre is directional that you offer it up before you fit to save tears later on.Using the leavers,gradually fit the tyre with one lever as far as possible, then keep one lever stationary & use the other to ease the tyre over the rim..much Easyer said than done!! When the tyre is on the rim to get it to seat properly firstly remove the valve core & as previously suggested use a ratchet strap to spread the tyre ( an alternative is to join thick cable ties together), you should then be able to seat the tyre with a garage airline. Refit the valve core, over inflate slightly, give it a bounce & then check the seating/airleaks etc then hopefully sit back looking smug having a brew....

It's probably worth noting that whoever you speak to who has ever fitted tyres to tubeless lambretta rims, they go on a lot easier when the're warm.... Oh and you pretty much have to destroy them to get them off!!
Let us know how you get on.

Cheers Mark.

[coaster]

I'll let you know soon Paul, I'm waiting on delivery of 3 of them when the guy on face book pulls his finger out I'll be trying to fit Dunlop ScootSmart to them which have the thick 3 ply construction. I have the levers and some plastic rim protectors. I did manage to get a Sava Monsum on AND off the Zip rim on the front of the jet with the aid of soap and didn't damage the painted finish (spray can orange). But as mentioned above you need to get the beads to seal on the rim and even a high pressure airline isn't always enough. I did manage to inflate it myself using an electric tyre inflator the first time by putting a ratchet strap around the tyre and stuffing paper towel into the gaps. I bounced to tyre and pushed and pulled and suddenly it sealed and started to inflate...I only just managed to pull the paper out in time. However the valve was leaking so I took it off again but on refitting I could not replicate my earlier success. I ended up going to a tyre depot and they used a compressed air cylinder with a wide flat nozzle to blast air into the bead whilst the airline was running, worked a treat.

Jarv did buy the MB holding tool and I made a bracket to hold it in a vice which I'm sure you could borrow for your attempt

VICE??? that would imply that I have a bench......Might have to do it at Jarv's one Saturday morning, should provide good entertainment

[Tractorman]

It wouldn't take much to make an holding tool out of an old wheel rim.

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

And rawl bolt it to the floor.

[gaz_powell]

I made a holding tool from a knackered rim - dead simple and cost coppers

Other half made a back hub holding tool.

Think they call up cycling these days

[Storkfoot]

....Let us know how you get on.....

You're under pressure now, Coaster. The whole future of tubeless 10" rims is now resting on your ability to do this

[burnside]

I'll let you know soon Paul, I'm waiting on delivery of 3 of them when the guy on face book pulls his finger out I'll be trying to fit Dunlop ScootSmart to them which have the thick 3 ply construction. I have the levers and some plastic rim protectors. I did manage to get a Sava Monsum on AND off the Zip rim on the front of the jet with the aid of soap and didn't damage the painted finish (spray can orange). But as mentioned above you need to get the beads to seal on the rim and even a high pressure airline isn't always enough. I did manage to inflate it myself using an electric tyre inflator the first time by putting a ratchet strap around the tyre and stuffing paper towel into the gaps. I bounced to tyre and pushed and pulled and suddenly it sealed and started to inflate...I only just managed to pull the paper out in time. However the valve was leaking so I took it off again but on refitting I could not replicate my earlier success. I ended up going to a tyre depot and they used a compressed air cylinder with a wide flat nozzle to blast air into the bead whilst the airline was running, worked a treat.

Jarv did buy the MB holding tool and I made a bracket to hold it in a vice which I'm sure you could borrow for your attempt

VICE??? that would imply that I have a bench......Might have to do it at Jarv's one Saturday morning, should provide good entertainment

Let me know when you go round to do it, I'll pop over and bring the popcorn

[coaster]

Let me know when you go round to do it, I'll pop over and bring the popcorn

And there was me expecting support and sympathy.... Mind you, I have to get the rims delivered yet, I ordered and paid for them the Monday before Christmas from a guy on the Lambretta Parts FB site but no sign of them yet. He SAYS there had been a cock up and would sort it but that was over a week ago. Getting a bit miffed now

[Tractorman]

Let me know when you go round to do it, I'll pop over and bring the popcorn

And there was me expecting support and sympathy.... Mind you, I have to get the rims delivered yet, I ordered and paid for them the Monday before Christmas from a guy on the Lambretta Parts FB site but no sign of them yet. He SAYS there had been a cock up and would sort it but that was over a week ago. Getting a bit miffed now

Should have gone to Shawfire Lambretta, Warren always comes up with the goods