doohickey/spring report

[Matthew Duftler]

Hi Folks, Can anyone recommend a good bead breaker? I am having trouble getting my rear tire off my KLR. I have the bead completely separated on one side (using c-clamps), but cannot budge the other side. I've tried prying it with tire levers, pushing down with my feet, using 2 c-clamps, and it won't budge. I don't plan on carrying the bead breaker with me, so it doesn't need to be small or lighweight; I just want one that won't damage/scratch the rim. Also making this difficult is that the still-beaded side is opposite the rotor (that is, the rotor is now facing down). The last time I changed this tire, I brought the wheel to the dealer (twice, actually, since they naturally mounted it backwards the first time); I'd really like to avoid doing the walk of shame into the dealership. Thanks, -Matt

[gpokluda]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Matthew Duftler" wrote:

> Hi Folks, > > Can anyone recommend a good bead breaker? I am having trouble

getting my

> rear tire off my KLR. > > Thanks, > -Matt

I can recommend the bead breaker available from the RiderWearhouse catalogue. It will break any motorcycle tire bead easily. Gino

[millerized_2000]

Weelend before last we used the kickstand of another bike. Works well if you're not ridin' alone. If not, there's some field expedient method somewhere, ie: auto tire, picnic table, fence post. Just my opinions, some work. millerized

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Matthew Duftler" wrote: > Hi Folks, > > Can anyone recommend a good bead breaker? I am having trouble getting my > rear tire off my KLR. I have the bead completely separated on one side > (using c-clamps), but cannot budge the other side. I've tried prying it > with tire levers, pushing down with my feet, using 2 c-clamps, and it won't > budge. I don't plan on carrying the bead breaker with me, so it doesn't > need to be small or lighweight; I just want one that won't damage/scratch > the rim. Also making this difficult is that the still-beaded side is > opposite the rotor (that is, the rotor is now facing down). > > The last time I changed this tire, I brought the wheel to the dealer > (twice, actually, since they naturally mounted it backwards the first > time); I'd really like to avoid doing the walk of shame into the > dealership. > > Thanks, > -Matt

[Gary]

Bead breakers huh? Just let the air out of the tube and ride on the flat tire.If that doesnt break the bead then nothing will. Maybe that is too simple for the "gadget guys" that like to have a tool box drawer full of specialty tools.No offense to the gadget guys. Regards,Gary

[John Kokola]

There is a smug "the cheapest way is the only way" vibe that permeates this list (which also seems to be a big part of where the anti-Harley vibe comes from). No offense to the "cheapest way" guys. --John Kokola If It Rolls, I'm Down With It -----Original Message-----

>From: Gary > > Maybe that is too simple for the "gadget guys" that like to have a >tool box drawer full of specialty tools.No offense to the gadget guys.

[Jeff Saline]

On Sun, 02 Jul 2006 19:07:49 -0000 "Gary" writes:

> Bead breakers huh? Just let the air out of the tube and ride on the > flat tire.If that doesnt break the bead then nothing will. > Maybe that is too simple for the "gadget guys" that like to have a > tool box drawer full of specialty tools.No offense to the gadget > guys. > Regards,Gary

<><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><> Gary, I think riding on a flat tire to break the bead should only be considered for a last resort when other methods have failed. Moving the bead off the rim may or may not happen but damaging the cords in the tire carcass I "think" will probably have an increased probability of happening. It doesn't take much work to carefully work the bead loose from the rim. Having a tool or two to help with this process doesn't seem like a real issue to me compared to riding on compromised tires. Just a thought. Best, Jeff Saline ABC # 4412 South Dakota Airmarshal Airheads Beemer Club www.airheads.org The Beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota 75 R90/6, 03 KLR650, 79 R100RT

[Gary]

I am sorry.I did not mean to offend anyone with my post.I was not trying to be smug.It is just that a lot of us dont have a lot of money,which is why we chose an inexpensive but durable and reliable KLR in the first place.Our advice sometimes may seem like we are saying "cheaper is better" But to me it is more like....simplier is cheaper.And for me persoanlly.... cheaper= more gas money to ride with. Best regards,Gary

>

[W.V. Doran]

Great news..I would like to place my order now...where do I send my $. If installation is an issue I'll see you in Julian. wannabsmooth1 wrote:

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Don S wrote: > > I asked that very question a couple of weeks ago. It seems to have dissipated into space. Are there any knowledgeable listers out there with some good news in this regard? > > Don > > Randall Marbach wrote: > Hi All > > This post about doohickey springs kinda begs the > question.... How is the R&D with torsion doohickey > springs going? There was a lot of excitement about > them several months ago, but I haven't heard anything > since. > > TIA > > Randy from Burbank > I've tried and rejected several versions that did not require drilling the case. They can be made to work, but not work as well as I think they should. The final version is in the works now. A small hole will be required in the inner case to capture one end. Pete's version required drilling the lever, and I'm 99% plus sure I won't have to do that. The aftermarket parts are just too hard for the average rider to be able to drill without a lot of agony. I has to be as close to "drop-in" as possible, right? A few more weeks...... all the best, Mike Eagle Mfg & Eng San Diego, Ca WVDoran Scottsdale, AZ --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Everyone is raving about the all-new Yahoo! Mail Beta. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[ydnim8]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "Matthew Duftler" wrote:

> > Hi Folks, > > Can anyone recommend a good bead breaker? I am having trouble getting my > rear tire off my KLR. I have the bead completely separated on one side > (using c-clamps), but cannot budge the other side. I've tried prying it > with tire levers, pushing down with my feet, using 2 c-clamps, and

it won't

> budge. I don't plan on carrying the bead breaker with me, so it doesn't > need to be small or lighweight; I just want one that won't

damage/scratch

> the rim. Also making this difficult is that the still-beaded side is > opposite the rotor (that is, the rotor is now facing down). > > The last time I changed this tire, I brought the wheel to the dealer > (twice, actually, since they naturally mounted it backwards the first > time); I'd really like to avoid doing the walk of shame into the > dealership. > > Thanks, > -Matt >Saw apicture of this on the Web but can't find it, the fellow made a

square frame out of 2x4s laid the tire on it and put a 5 or 6" 2x4 on the tire standing vertically and then used a long 2x4 as a lever that he had braced under his car frame. You should be able to break you're bead with this set up.