Seating the bead

tmcgee · Jul 14, 2011

Broke the ratchet on the strap trying. First time I've had trouble out of a dozen tires. Alternative methods?

Yak · Jul 14, 2011

Lots of lube, bounce it a bit, set it in the sun, go grab a beer. It's never failed me. I broke a strap trying that method as well. I just use a cheap 12 volt compressor.

DougInKY · Jul 14, 2011

This is your chance to buy a big compressor. I got a 3hp 30gal at Harbor Freight mainly to seat the beads on tires originally. Now, several years later I have a bunch of air tools. Makes life easier.

tmcgee · Jul 14, 2011

Thanks guys, got it. Took the valve stem out and sprayed wd40 around the rim. Used that just because it was handy.

themastermike · Jul 14, 2011

ugh

tmcgee said:
Thanks guys, got it. Took the valve stem out and sprayed wd40 around the rim. Used that just because it was handy.

I believe you want to use soapy water, not a silicone based spray.

I won't lead this thread down the Starting Fluid/Ether method. It is tried and true though.

tmcgee · Jul 14, 2011

themastermike said:
I believe you want to use soapy water, not a silicone based spray.

There is no silicone in WD40.

honest bob · Jul 14, 2011

tmcgee said:
There is no silicone in WD40.

It is still not recommended as tire lube though. It can harm the bead rubber seal and the seal in the valve stem from what I have heard.

tmcgee · Jul 14, 2011

honest bob said:
It is still not recommended as tire lube though. It can harm the bead rubber seal and the seal in the valve stem from what I have heard.

Not true according to manufacturer. Dunno why there's so much misinformation about this stuff....

WD-40 Frequently Asked Questions

greywolf · Jul 14, 2011

Silicone is fine for natural rubber. It's petroleum that can be a problem. Don't use Vaseline on latex condoms. :jawdrop:

http://www.avproductsinc.com/rubber-specs-2.pdf

honest bob · Jul 14, 2011

tmcgee said:
Not true according to manufacturer. Dunno why there's so much misinformation about this stuff....

WD-40 Frequently Asked Questions

Gad zuks, you believe the manufacturer?:jawdrop: According to the MSDS on the product it is close to 50% naptha. Naptha is one of only two chemicals that are considered solvents for rubber. I know there is still some actual rubber in a tire and I'm going to error on the cautious side.

hansong · Jul 15, 2011

I never tried this, but there are some videos on youtube of people spraying some starting fluid into the mounted tire, igniting it, and blowing the tire onto the bead. Looks like it works, but obviously not the safest way to do it..

tmcgee · Jul 15, 2011

honest bob said:
Gad zuks, you believe the manufacturer?

I do read product data sheets and application notes. You have to start somewhere. Why would they say it's okay for rubber if it isn't?

Even if it isn't, my tires only last 6 months anyway.

But speaking of naptha, does anyone out there besides me still have a bar of Fels Naptha soap? Do they even sell it anymore? What I have must be 45 years old.

Okay, I just looked. They still make it.

tmcgee · Jul 15, 2011

hansong said:
I never tried this, but there are some videos on youtube of people spraying some starting fluid into the mounted tire, igniting it, and blowing the tire onto the bead. Looks like it works, but obviously not the safest way to do it..

I did consider this briefly.

tmcgee · Jul 15, 2011

Had the same problem with the front Shinko. Resorted to getting the 6HP compressor working after exhausting the rest of my arsenal.

tmcgee · Jul 16, 2011

Whoah, maybe I should get one of these...

maxblack · Jul 16, 2011

tmcgee said:
Whoah, maybe I should get one of these...

Not real good for cross country travel :mrgreen:

Imagine that thing strapped to the bike.

Tollster · Jul 16, 2011

hansong said:
I never tried this, but there are some videos on youtube of people spraying some starting fluid into the mounted tire, igniting it, and blowing the tire onto the bead. Looks like it works, but obviously not the safest way to do it..

My brother in law does this in the barn on the log truck tires, pretty good at it. I saw him do one, as I had to see it with my own eyes, did not stick around for more.
He would never be able to get the tire mounted on the bead if he did not flash it with fluid.

biker128pedal · Jul 16, 2011

I tried the starter fluid once. It sis not work for me. It ignited but did not seat the bead. I bought a gallon of tire lubricant from NAPA. That helped along with a warm tire. In the winter I have put the tire on a heater duct. My old Seca 900 was the hardest. The Wee is much easier. Also some brands/models of tires are easier than others. Here are a few famous last works. The Anakee 2 front seated with floor type bicycle tire pump. The rear took the air compressor but was simple. I wonder how it will go in a few weeks with the next set sitting in the garage. Oh that reminds me for the Seca I had to stick 2x4s inside the tire and let then sit for a day to open the bead up. Doing this also helps. I better go do that with the new tires for the Wee. :yesnod:

darkshadow_old · Jul 16, 2011

I had trouble seating my Shinko yesterday with a 12v comp. So I took the tire around the corner to the quick lube shop and borrowed their air comp. Seated it right away:thumbup:

Yak · Jul 17, 2011

One thing that I have found useful is to remove the valve core when trying to seat the bead. That allows a larger volume of air to pass more quickly. Obviously you need to reinflate after the bead seats. This is particularly useful when using a smaller volume compressor (i.e. 12 volt).

Seating the bead

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