How To Change A Dirt Bike Tire
If you're a dirt bike enthusiast, you know how important it is to have good tires on your bike. Bad tires can lead to accidents and could cause you to lose control while riding. In this article, we will talk about how to change a dirt bike tire. We'll discuss why it's important to use fresh tires instead of old ones and give you a step-by-step guide on how to change them yourself. So, whether you're a beginner or an experienced rider, read on for all the information you need about changing your dirt bike tires!
The Importance of Fresh New Dirt Bike Tires
As a dirt bike rider, you know that having new fresh tires is important. But why is this the case? There are a few reasons:
- Old tires can be dangerous. If your tire treads are worn down, they won't provide as much grip on the ground. This can lead to accidents, especially if you're riding on uneven or slippery terrain.
- Old tires can also cause your bike to lose control. If the treads on your tires are worn down, they won't be able to grip the ground as well. This could cause you to lose control of your bike while riding, leading to an accident.
- Fresh dirt bike tires like the Tusk Dsport Adventure or the Tusk EMEX T-45 will give you better performance. Newer tires have better traction and grip, which will help you go faster and perform better while riding.
- Fresh dirt motorcycle tires also last longer. If you're using old tires, you'll have to replace them more often. This can be expensive in the long run.
So, now that you know why it's important to use fresh dirt bike tires, let's talk about how to change them!
How to Change Dirt Bike Tires
Changing a dirt bike tire may seem daunting, but don't be concerned - most bikers with minimal mechanical skill and access to a few tools should have no problems.
What are the tools you need?
- A couple of tire spoons
- A valve core removal tool
- One 5-gallon bucket
- One plastic hammer
- A spray bottle containing soapy water
- One wrench
- New tire and tube
Once you have everything you need, it's time to start the process of changing the tire.
Begin by taking the tire off of the bike and suspending it in mid-air using a bucket. With a core-removal tool, extract the valve stem and deflate the tire. At this point, you might as well remove the dust seal since you'll have to take out the tube from the tire eventually. Make sure to loosen the rim lock beforehand so that it won't be an impediment when removing the tire later on.
Use a tire spoon to break the bead free from the rim and work your way around the tire to unseat the bead. A little bit of soapy water goes a long way in this project, so use soapy water as a lubricant around the edge of the tire. Use a tire spoon on the edge of the tire to separate it from the rim. To remove the bead, start at one end and work your way around. To completely remove the tire from the bead, flip the tire over and repeat this process until complete.
After you've located the rim lock, place your tire spoons underneath the tire on the wheel's edge. Start prying the tire off the wheel with caution so as not to damage or puncture the tube. With patience and a little effort, it will start to come off more easily after removing about three-quarters of it. Remove the tube after one-half of the tire is off the wheel.
Remove the other half of the tire from the rim now. Lubricate the tire and rim with soap water, then lay a tire spoon beneath the tire. If you have a plastic hammer, carefully bash the bead while avoiding bending the rim. To assist in the removal of it from the rim, work your way around it in a clockwise direction.
How To Install A New Dirt Bike Tire
Lubricate the tire with soapy water and set it on the rim. Find the yellow dot on the rim, then align it with the rim lock for balancing purposes. Push the tire onto to start by hand, then use a tire spoon for assistance in pushing it onto to finish.
Next, take your valve core and put it back into the tube. Make sure to line up the tube with the tire before pushing it in, so there are no wrinkles or pinches. Once everything is aligned, push the valve stem through the rim until you can see it on both sides. When you've finished fitting the tube into the tire, ensure the yellow dot is lined up with the rim lock. Also, double-check that the valve stem is straight.
Start by using tire spoons at the rim lock to install the tire. Next, make sure that the tube isn’t caught between the tire spoon and rim as you work your way around. The process will be easy until about halfway through, after which it becomes more difficult. Be careful not to pinch the tube as you gain a new grip with the tire spoons. You can use a plastic hammer to help when it becomes tough to move the tire.
At this point, slowly add air to the tube until it is about half-full. Next, look at the bead from all sides to ensure that the tube isn't poking through and that everything is in proper alignment.
Now, be sure the tube is in the tire correctly. Once more, deflate the tube and remove the valve core. To ensure the valve stem isn't pinched, press it back and forth. If a few bubbles emerge when you reinstall the valve core, don't be concerned; this is simply soap water, which is expected. Check both sides of the bead for any irregularities once again.
After removing the air from a tire, it's time to fill it up again. To determine the correct tire pressure:
- Consult your bike owner's handbook or look on the side of the tire for instructions.
- Install the dust seal and valve cover after inflating the tire to the proper pressure.
- Tighten the rim lock to keep the tire on the rim in case of a flat.
Conclusion
There you have it! You now know how to change a dirt bike tire. Always be sure to use tires that are in good condition and to follow the manufacturer's instructions when changing a tire. Be sure to also consult your bike owner's manual for specific instructions on how to change a tire on your dirt bike model.
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