Front Tire Removal

Repsol · Post by **Repsol** » Fri Sep 05, 2014 6:36 pm

Took the Dream out today for about a 50 mile ride. Early on a black cat crossed my path. I should have turned around. I got to my destination and parked, walked around for a bit and when I returned to the bike I found that my front tire was flat as a pancake. Lucky for me there was a maintenance worker there that happened to have an air compressor. I pumped up the tire and headed for home but had to stop several times to fill the tire which was leaking slowly. I've removed tires from standard motorcycles before and they are pretty straight forward. I have not been able to locate any information on how to remove the tire from the Dream. Maybe because it's really easy. If anyone with experience would like to chime in and give me some hints I'd really appreciate it. Once the tire is off I think changing the tube is pretty straight forward with the proper tools. Thanks in advance.

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Fri Sep 05, 2014 10:11 pm

No different than any other tire. Pry one side of the tire off of the rim, remove the tube, then pry the other sidewall off. You could just replace the tube after prying the first side, but I'd take the tire off completely to check and clean the rim and also replace the rim strip. Try to determine where the tube is leaking and fix any issues on the rim or inside the tire that might have caused it. Before you do anything though, check or replace the valve stem.

Put one sidewall on the rim, fit the new tube, add a little air, then pry on the other sidewall. Be careful not to pinch the tube against the rim with the tire irons. Tire lube like "Ru-Glyde" is very helpful in getting the tire back on the rim. Soapy water works too, but doesn't evaporate as quickly and could cause some corrosion.

Finally, I recently bought two new tire irons from Harbor Freight and I really like them:
http://www.harborfreight.com/24-inch-ge ... 93230.html
-48

Repsol · Post by **Repsol** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 4:47 am

Thanks for the post but I should clarify that I need help removing the whole rim and tire from the bike. There seems to be alot going on there with the drum brake, sprung front end etc etc. I've changed many bicycle tires and some tubeless motorcycle tires so I'm pretty sure I can muddle through changing the tube. Thanks again.

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 7:14 am

Not that complicated to remove the front wheel - Remove the speedo and brake cables, and the brake plate stay. Remove the axle nut, loosen the two clamp bolts, and pull the axle out. The whole wheel with the brake plate will come out. There is nothing holding the brake plate now so be careful not to drop it. Just separate it, and the speedo gear from the rim and set it aside. Change your tire.

Repsol · Post by **Repsol** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 3:46 pm

Thanks for the reply. I did as you said and all is well. I took the tire off and pulled the inner tube out and found that who ever changed the tire last put a 19" inner tube in there. Maybe that's all they had laying around. I'm surprised that it took this long to fail. I bought some new tubes and should have them Tuesday. Does anyone recommend any particular type/brand of tube?? I bought some Kenda tubes off of Amazon.

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 5:37 pm

Your welcome. I have never put much thought into the brand of tube I buy but maybe I should? I always just buy them from the same supplier that sends the tires. Never had a problem that I didn't cause myself.

Repsol · Post by **Repsol** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 3:48 pm

Well the tire change went with out a hitch. The bike rides much nicer without the extra three inches of inner tube creating an imbalance in the front wheel. The Dream is back on the road and purring like a kitten.