tire changing: be careful

[Skip Faulkner]

I have one little tidbit to add to all the past excellent tire changing advice. Don`t use talc on the bead! I`ve been changing tires, aircraft, truck and motorcycle, for over 20 years, and presently about four a week aircraft) and learned a long time ago to keep the talc off the rims and bead area. The sole purpose of talc is to help prevent getting creases in the tube and prevent friction between the tube and tire. If you get it on the bead, the tire can spin on the rim. I`ve seen it happen several times. I watched a guy on an XR600 finish mounting his rear tire on his bike, proceed to do a test run down our road, tried to pop a wheelie, the tire slipped and he sheared the valve stem off. Use a liquid lubricant like soapy water. FWIW Skip