GS650L - grind rim's inner lip down to mount tire?

[Rob S.]

My mechanic (Frank Davis of Powerhouse) said what I knew innately when I wanted to put Bridgestone 'Battleaxe' tires on my 11E: the wheels were not designed for that tire, and visa versa.

[Nessism]

My mechanic (Frank Davis of Powerhouse) said what I knew innately when I wanted to put Bridgestone 'Battleaxe' tires on my 11E: the wheels were not designed for that tire, and visa versa.

The Battlax BT45 and BT46 ARE excellent tires for GS's.

[sacruickshank]

here's a pic of the cleaned up rim, done with a combination of flap wheel sandpaper, wire wheels, scotchbrite w/ PB blaster penetrant, and scraping inner corners with flat head screwdriver. Not perfect, but better than before. Now to try to gorilla tape tire mounting method. If not, off to harbor freight to buy some tire spoons.
PXL_20220123_150448984.jpg

[bwringer]

In a few decades of changing many many motorcycle tires by hand, I've had exactly one defective tire. It mounted OK, but the wires in the bead were twisted and it would not seal. The retailer was quite gracious about replacing it once I managed to get a picture that showed the problem (it's hard to take a picture of a defect in a matte black object).

Anyway, either the tire is defective and/or the installer is an idiot. It's dead certain that the latter is true: the installer is a dangerous idiot. However, both could be true as well; the tire could be defective.

I think the big danger here is that the nitwit "mekanik" has damaged the tire, so there may be no way of determining whether the tire was defective in the first place, or whether it's still safe to use.

Honestly, I would, 100%, throw that tire out and start over with a fresh tire, mounting it myself, or finding someone who's not a blithering idiot. It's not an expensive tire, and it would be well worth the $70 or so for peace of mind. I absolutely do NOT take chances with motorcycle tires.

[sacruickshank]

I think the big danger here is that the nitwit "mekanik" has damaged the tire, so there may be no way of determining whether the tire was defective in the first place, or whether it's still safe to use.

Honestly, I would, 100%, throw that tire out and start over

Thanks for the comment about tire damage. The outer bead surface looks good, but there is about a 1" damaged section on the bead's inner wall that is either due mfg defect or installation abuse. I don't know which as I didn't inspect the tire that closely on arrival. See pic below for the damaged section. I suspect this would only reinforce your "chuck it and start over" recommendation.
PXL_20220123_160930496.jpg

[storm 64]

here's a pic of the cleaned up rim, done with a combination of flap wheel sandpaper, wire wheels, scotchbrite w/ PB blaster penetrant, and scraping inner corners with flat head screwdriver. Not perfect, but better than before. Now to try to gorilla tape tire mounting method. If not, off to harbor freight to buy some tire spoons.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]63803[/ATTACH]

While you're out getting Tire Irons, stop by Napa and pick up some "RU-Glide".

I use to be a Dish Soap guy. But then I became a little older and a little wiser. (believe it or not)

[alke46]

Two things to mention here. First, your cleaning of the wheel looks fantastic. Second, the YouTube video showing the gorilla tape was good as well.
I've never used gorilla tape on tires, but I have done the same easy mounting by using large (24") zip ties.

Bottom line is use whatever works best for you and definitely find yourself a different/better mechanic.

If you're going to continue riding motorcycles then you better learn how to mount and balance the tires.
Only then will you have the confidence of knowing it's done right and the satisfaction of knowing you learned it right here from the GSResources.

[Burque73]

.................Only then will you have the confidence of knowing it's done right and the satisfaction of knowing you learned it right here from the GSResources.

That looks like a good line for a signature, Larry.

[1978GS750E]

While you're out getting Tire Irons, stop by Napa and pick up some "RU-Glide".

I use to be a Dish Soap guy. But then I became a little older and a little wiser. (believe it or not)

If you've ever used Ru-Glide, you'll keep the dish soap in the kitchen! Also, dish soap has a "LOT" of salt in it, to soften the dishwater, and it can corrode your wheel over time!

[alke46]

That looks like a good line for a signature, Larry.

Feel free to use it Roger.

[Cipher]

If you've ever used Ru-Glide, you'll keep the dish soap in the kitchen! Also, dish soap has a "LOT" of salt in it, to soften the dishwater, and it can corrode your wheel over time!

true horrible corrosion when using dishsoap.

[Cipher]

Thanks for the comment about tire damage. The outer bead surface looks good, but there is about a 1" damaged section on the bead's inner wall that is either due mfg defect or installation abuse. I don't know which as I didn't inspect the tire that closely on arrival. See pic below for the damaged section. I suspect this would only reinforce your "chuck it and start over" recommendation.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]63804[/ATTACH]

my friend tried his hand at tire changing as hes a cheap bastard.
I told him to get tire lube but he used generic window cleaner. Not windex no too expensive.
ruined his tire but did not break the rim which is amazing.
again ill ask is it cold where you are trying to mount the tire? if so get it up to 80 degrees or so
alos that bit of damage loos minor but it would not have left the factory with that mark
and it may be hiding damaged bead wire

[sacruickshank]

Two things to mention here. First, your cleaning of the wheel looks fantastic. Second, the YouTube video showing the gorilla tape was good as well.
I've never used gorilla tape on tires, but I have done the same easy mounting by using large (24") zip ties.

Bottom line is use whatever works best for you and definitely find yourself a different/better mechanic.

If you're going to continue riding motorcycles then you better learn how to mount and balance the tires.
Only then will you have the confidence of knowing it's done right and the satisfaction of knowing you learned it right here from the GSResources.

The gorilla tape method did not work for me. The Shinko sidewall was pretty strong didn't compress enough for me to get them over the rim wall.

Re: "continue riding" at this point I've resurrected ~two dozen bikes over the last five years, doing all the carb work, brakes, etc., but tire swapping has been the one thing I still farm out. I'm a decent wrench, but still learn new things with every project. I had a reliable and well priced tire mechanic that I used for most of those, but they are 1:20 away as opposed to the most recent guy, who is 20 minutes away, a little more expensive, and it turns out less reliable.

Re: the temp mentioned by others, I'm in MA and it's cold so I heated up the tire using the space heater from my garage.

[sacruickshank]

new tire, tire spoons, and RU Glyde now on order. I'll give the DIY method a chance this time around.

I went with a Kenda Cruz, which I've used on other bikes. I'm sure the Shinko 712 would have been fine (I already have them on three other bikes: GL500, GL1100, GS550T), but emotionally I didn't want to buy a second one exactly like the first. I realize mixing front&rear tires isn't preferred, but this bike won't be ridden aggressively.

[Gorminrider]

Warming the tire can help.