Hitchcocks Forum

Hello all.

Took my 2011 EFI to the local garage to have a new front tube and tyre fitted.

The guy at the garage felt it was made quite a difficult job due to the narrow width of the wheel rim.

I wondered if this was because the wheels are an old design? Are they still the same design as they were since Bullets first began in the 50's?

Has anybody had a similar experience? Any hints or tips?

Have a good summer!

Rich

Hmm. I think I'd get my tyres fitted somewhere else in future, 'cos that's just nonsense. Or it means he's only ever done huge tubeless sportsbike rear tyres and can only use a machine to do it!
REgards, Mark

I managed to fit new tyres with the 3 inch tyre irons that come in the toolkit - the guy is talking nonsense!!!

i did a inner tube change in the middle of the Severn bridge after a blow out on the way to the Dragon rally, now that was fun.
the younger tyre fitter may have never have worked on older bikes , so can understand his coment.

john

The size of the chosen tyre is governed (within limits) by the size of the rim. I just checked the tyre sizes for the EFI and they are pretty standard for middleweight current bikes so the tyre fitter has no excuse. Go somewhere else!
REgards, Mark

My local 'man' at Dynotech Ecosse has no problems whatsoever in fact these rims/tyres are probably a lot easier than changing tyres on some monstrosity from across the pond.

Our friend's comments about ease of refitting a
narrow rim tyre and tube are spot on IF the tyre
was designated requiring a tube. However, if the
tyre was mistakenly an tubeless one which you had
tube stuffed in, this combo is pure torture to fit
with levers, as inevitably you can pincn the tube
several times enroute. The bead seems a tighter fit
and less subtle, hence the fitter's anquish, Anyway
the tyre will clearly be marked 'tubeless' so check
that for the aggravation even with Brit narrow sizes

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I found Gordon's comment about tubes and tubeless tyres the most intriguing - the old tyre was an Avon 'tubeless' tyre but with a tube fitted; as was the replacement - and again a new was fitted, which in fairness to replace like with like doesn't seem an unreasonable way forward.

What do you other EFI riders put on your wheels?

Rich

Rich, It's true that the Avon Roadriders fitted to most EFIs are marked "tubeless", but that's the way the bikes are delivered and it's quite legal to have such a set up. The tyres are widely used by classic racers and probably give the best grip available to bikes with wheels of this size. When replacing them you should try tyre specialists that also deal with off-road bikes. Narrow rims and inner tubes are second nature to them.

Rog

Just fitted a pair of Roadriders with tubes to a Mk2 Interceptor with hand tools. No problems at all. Needed extra pressure to pop the beads but that is not a problem with a compressor which a professional should have. As I said originally, the tyre fitter is talking nonsense.
REgards, Mark