Spooning New Motorcycle Tires

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by faran, Sep 13, 2017.

  1. faran

    faran New Member

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    Planning to spoon them, have 2 questions:

    1- How important is it to replace valve stem? If removal is needed, can old one be cut off and removed?

    2-Planning to use Air BB's or Dyna beads for balancing after removing all existing weights from the tires.

    Anyone has any advice or suggestions or experience with beads for balancing? Ciao
     
  2. fink

    fink Member

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    I replace mine every second set of tyres , I know some will say every time.

    No experience but have a friend who uses them and swears by them. I swore at him whilst replacing his tyre as he hadn't told me he had installed them and ended up with them over the workshop floor.
     
  3. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Check the valve stem for drying, cracking or other signs of degrading quality. If the rubber looks of poor condition, replace it. I usually just cut off the valve stem with a razor knife at the base of the stem just between the rim and the large part of the base, then push the valve from the outside of the rim in. Note that to put a new valve stem in, at least of the standard rubber variety, does require an insertion tool for easy and best results. However, going with angled valve stems makes replacement a breeze. I recommend and use the latter.

    As far as balancing beads, no experience with them so hopefully someone who has experience with them will chime in.

    BTW, this is where I get my tire changing supplies and valve stems. https://www.nomartirechanger.com/category_s/34.htm
     
  4. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Replace the valve stems with the angled ones, makes checking air much easier. I've never changed out valve stems other than to change to an angled one.

    Stick to normal weights, you'll be much happier when the magic beads don't work and you have to get them removed. Save the headache and do it right the first time.
     
  5. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    1. I do it every change as it was so much cheaper to by them by the 100. I use both the normal and short valves. Short on the bikes and normal on the cars. I just cut them out with side cutters.

    2. I only use the stick on type - very easy to check and also adjust.
     
  6. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    If you had one release the air all at once while riding, you might change that tune.
    Happened to my front, and it was no disaster but still sucked.
    Do you know, it is really hard to turn with a front flat? o_O
     
  7. RobVG

    RobVG Member

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    If you get any tire lube inside the tire the beads are going to stick to it.
    I tried spoons on my new tires.
    Back in the day with skinny tires and steel rims they worked just fine.
    They don't work well on the viffer. Ended up using the zip tie method as seen on YouTube.
     
  8. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    This is very true, but it's never happened in over 50 years.
     
  9. dbuzz77

    dbuzz77 New Member

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    I put dyna beads in my vrod and the balance was perfect. I had a spare bag and my friends shadow had a vibration at 70mph so we put them in the front tire and no vibration at any speed. I am going to put them in my vfr back tire this spring when i change it. as far as stems, i know from autos i have been screwed more than once by a dealer that didn't put new stems on when he changed my tires and i have to pay for a repair later.
     
  10. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Cycle Gear will put in a new stem every time.
     
  11. faran

    faran New Member

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    Dayum, I am always late to the party. For some reason, I was not getting any alerts since I posted it.

    Thanks everyone for your input and help. I used lubricant which I got from Walmart tire center( Tire Mounting paste and lubricant), used beads for balancing. Let's see how they'll hold. If not, will just dismount and do traditional weights. For normal street riding, I might not even notice anything.

    I used new valve stems, but they are longer ones for automotive application(TR413) got them from Costco, used this tool (https://www.nomartirechanger.com/Valve_Stem_Core_Wrench_p/ac-valvestem-wrench.htm) and I was able to easily put a new valve stem in.

    I used spoons and I think after learning the trick it was fairly easy. Tried zip ties, but maybe I was being idiotic and it didn't work for me.

    BTW, where do you guys weights for balancing? Like HF? Can they be reused with a double sided tape?
     
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  12. RobVG

    RobVG Member

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    Got my weights on Amazon. Relatively cheap an super sticky.
    Glad the spoons worked for you.
     
  13. faran

    faran New Member

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    Thanks, I am just curious what technique did you use for zip ties and does it work well for a new and wide tire?

    I tried for the front tire, 8 zip ties but had no luck. Then switched to spoons.
     
  14. RobVG

    RobVG Member

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    It's a very long story but the zip ties saved my ass when I couldn't spoon on the rear the rest of the way. Just slipped them between the bead and the rim, did what they do in the vids.

    I had already fucked up my rim out of anger and frustration. Should have walked away for a while.

    Tires were GT- stiffer side walls. Not a good one but my only excuse.
     
  15. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    No mar has just about everything for tire changing, including weights. Their prices are fair IMO and a lot easier for me to place one order.
     
  16. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    I have a lot of lead stick-on weights. If you need some give me a yell. I hate the steel ones and bought a bunch of lead ones.
     
  17. faran

    faran New Member

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    As always, thanks OOTV. Shipping is a killer for small items from Nomar :(
     
  18. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Usually try and buy all my stuff at once, so I can get more for the same shipping cost. I also buy in bulk! Amazon is probably a good alternative for you.
     
  19. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    My only front flat was on a CBX1000 six cylinder in 1983? Noticed it feeling a bit weird on the motorway, stable enough but hard to turn. Pulled off and then had the big stability issues (tank slapping) as I slowed, but managed to keep it upright. In hindsight, hard to believe that we were using a CBX as a shop hack at the time...
     
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