Are you looking for an easy, convenient way to get your tire
off the rim? This process is referred to as breaking the bead on a tire and can
be achieved through various creative ways. In situations where you do not have
a tire mounting machine like the one used in tire repair shops, no need to
fret, there are easy methods to help you do it.
I have been riding for decades and dealt with motorcycle imports for the same period of time. So
I’ve had my own share of breaking tire beads without a sweat. Well, not always.
But I am a pro now and you don’t have to learn it the hard way.
Consider removing the valve core.
It is essential as it lets the air out; enabling you to
easily remove the rim’s wheel. It is good to ensure that all the air pressure
is gone before removing the wheel. Simply press your hands against the tire to
ensure you get all the air out.
Position the tire on a flat surface.
The tire should be on a flat surface so that it’s stable
enough for you to apply pressure. You don’t want any nasty accidents.
Use
the side breaker bar
It is placed between the rim and the tire. I ensure that the
pointed edge of the breaker bar is not pointing towards the rim. Due to the
edge’s sharpness, exposing it to the rim might cause scratches on it. It is
vital that the edge of the breaker bar to point towards the tire. Again, be
careful, aim for the tire, not your eye.
Hit the breaker’s top
After ensuring that the breaker is balanced between the tire
and the rim, I strike it’s top using a hammer. This will make the breaker to
open up the rim and the tire. However, I have to keep striking until there is a
small pop sound. The sound assures me that I have partially broken the bead.
Make sure you’ve eaten because you going to be losing some calories here.
Move the breaker around inside of the
tire.
As I keep hammering the breaker, it is essential to rotate
it inside the tire as it guarantees the complete break-up of the bead. And
that’s it, folks. Pretty straightforward, right?
Breaking the tire is essential as it gives me a chance to clean up the dirt found on the tire’s inner surface, and it also enables me to remove the tire on my own, thus saving money that I would have paid a tire maintenance specialist.
