Forum

[Joe]

I own a 2013 Bullet 500. I am changing out the tires. Front tire was a non issue, had no problems there. But the rear tire is baffling. I have changed many tube type and non tube type tires. I initially thought I was just being a dumba** but I was wrong. The tire is the original from the factory, never had the tires off before. After letting the air out, the tire was still really tight. I tried to break the bead around the rim to begin popping the tire off. This was just not happening. I spent three hours literally trying to muscle it off. It was like it was glued on. Frustration lead to grabbing the good old saws-all and cutting the tire apart. This confirmed my thought-I wasn't an idiot, the bead is glued on, like really REALLY glued on. As of now the tire is gone except for strips of the bead on each side of the rim. More time wasted with a heat gun and vise grips and with all my muscle I cannot pull the rubber off of the rim. The rim protector was even stuck under the bead. I am at a total loss, never seen this before. I have to give some serious thought into how I am getting the remaining stuck bead off. Wondering if anyone has ever seen this before? Is this common?

[Leon Novello]

Tubless tyres are sometimes glued to the rim to prevent air leakage, particularly on rear tyres with a tube which can be prone to moving under acceleration and causing the tube to be dragged around and ripping out the valve. One way to remove the glue is to heat it, but others might have an alternative method.

[2cvandy]

I think Leon is right, heat gun and a scraper. A rag and thinners is useful to remove any glue residue left behind. PITA, but at least you'll know the new one isn't glued on.

[Alan R]

Hi Guys------------ In my Grass-track racing days we used one for a 250 ( or two for the 500 ) tyre security bolts in the rear tyre....Usually this would be fat-section 19" Barum trials tyre suitably "cut and blocked" but --- and here's the important bit --- run at a lower pressure than normal in order to let those deep sidewalls flex and thus obtain max. grip.....If you intend to fit a tube inside a Radial tyre then I'm told that tube MUST be compatible or chafing will occur.........For initial balancing you fit a single bolt directly opposite the valve, and 2 bolts at 120 degrees.........I usually ran with one in the front tyre and 2 in the rear... ( 1970's---1980's Southern Centre ACU No. 176. ).........

[Mark M]

As it happens, I have just discovered how to melt rubber. I didn't mean to, I was trying to get some paint off an old tank rubber! I was using Nitromors paint stripper (which has been re-formulated in recent years) and it won't touch paint but it does melt and soften rubber. From your spelling and choice of words I think you must be in the US so the product name might be different but I'm sure you can get something like it over there.

REgards, Mark