How to seat the bead on a troublesome motorcycle tire

just showing you my method of seating the bead on a difficult tire.

[@louisaguns4318]

Just put some tires on my bike last week. Had a heck of a time putting the rear tire on and just couldn't get the bead to seat. The front tire came in a day later, and I got an idea. I put the rear wheel with mounted tire and the front tire (by itself) in my van, engine running with the heat on. After about 15 minutes in the heated van, it only took about 5 minutes to seat the bead on the rear tire. Mounting the warmed front tire was much easier and the bead seated on the first attempt. Warmed rubber is more flexible and much easier to work with. Good luck.

[@jasonalexander1304]

I dont usually comment. butyou just saved my day. thank you so much for this!

[@frostbitevinnie]

Glad it helped!

[@4energy]

Very helpful. I'll try this before I blow up my garage with butane. Thanks

[@frostbitevinnie]

Yer welcome! Good luck!

[@EastTexasADV]

Great video, truly old school trick right there. Thanks for sharing

[@frostbitevinnie]

First time Ive had this much trouble getting a bead to seat. I kinda wish I had the guts to use lighter fluid!

[@EastTexasADV]

@@frostbitevinnie I hear ya. I lost the bead on my tractor that wouldn't seat. Tire was big enough I had to use 2 ratchet straps. Full cranked down still no go. I ended up taking a few plastic grocery bags twisted them in rolls and shoved them between the tire and rim with a screw driver where it wasn't sealing. Hit it with air and I'll be it worked. The bags even pulled out pretty easy. But I did bust a strap because I had them so tight trying to get the bead to set. So if you do this trick stay clean of anything that might "pop"

[@applesyo]

You saved me a trip to the tire shop!!!!!!! Thank you!!!

[@frostbitevinnie]

Hope it worked out for you!

[@applesyo]

@@frostbitevinnie it did, I was so excited when I heard the loud pop sound. I tried lighting it on fire and it didn’t work. Thank you again!!

[@frostbitevinnie]

@@applesyo freakin awesome! My stupid video actually did some good! Ha! Take that big fat world!😁

[@AdventureGlide]

*_It great Video thanks for sharing this. I'm in the Garage doing the same thing now._*

[@frostbitevinnie]

Hope it works well for you!

[@afrobiker]

Let's give this a crack 😅. I'm in the middle of a struggle with a Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR front. The rear "popped" with ease.

[@frostbitevinnie]

Good luck!

[@snitsaruk]

Did it work for you? I’m struggling with Rally STR rear tyre 😅

[@afrobiker]

@@snitsaruk It didn't work until I lubbed the walls of the rim very generously for the rear. I had no luck with the front so I took it to a motorcycle repair shop and they helped me seat the bead for free.

[@snitsaruk]

Thank you for the answer :)

[@garygrinkevich6971]

Would love a TW200 someday I'm working on seating a POS tao tao scooter tire.

[@pmaxfilters9779]

Thanks Frostbite, was about to leap off a cliff :)

[@frostbitevinnie]

So I saved yer life? WOOHOO!

[@josphatouru5377]

Great work brother 👍

[@Sideshowbobx]

Tried this, tried that, ruined a strap and then as last resort went to shot of WD40 - hope my tire will last with this for a season at least. The WD40 seated the tire at least finally after fighting for 2 days with one stupid tire! Next is the front tire, that I will pre warm with my girlfriends hairdryer. Hopefully this will go on easier again.

[@frostbitevinnie]

Good luck!

[@VFRCapBob]

Hilarious! Never had a problem beading a 190 55 tire before. Was questioning my life choices to continue being a motorcyclist. Was using the ratchet strap method. Fail fail fail then fail. Tossed what ever useless tool that was in my hand across the garage. Had to stop. Have breakfast. Talk to my wife. Pet the dogs. Then watched your video. No Aprilia hat. I put a fatter strap on the centerline. Slowly tightened it kneading the tire surface under the strap to unbind and distribute the force of the strap evenly around the tire. Otherwise I would get one huge dimple under the ratchet only. This eventually did the job. Pop! freaking pop!. Kicked my ass. Thanks for the relatable video.

[@nickaxe771]

Leave out the valve core.....you need a fast flow of air the valve core slows it down. Seat one side best you can with your foot against the wheel....while holding the tyre.....hopefully that side stay put.....you only have to worry about the other side then. With the air flowing...need a helper sometime...gently ease the still open side toward the rim with the foot against the wheel idea.....trying not to dislodge the other side. To be honest.....a compressor with a storage tank and fast flowing fitting is what req....Some valve conectores are quite restrictive.

[@richbinaz]

Recently saw some videos where a bicycle inner tube was used to seal the gap and (of course) it worked on both car and bike tires. Here's a short video (not me) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYKvq56qZct0fNU The inner tubes are much cheaper than a bead bazooka

[@RamenChips]

New rider here bruh i decided to change my stem valve and then wobble my way to the gas station to put air in my tire. I didnt know tires have to be put back on man i thought the air did that. Now im stranded lol

[@frostbitevinnie]

Shit happens!

[@hillrambler2007]

The important thing is to wear eye and ear protection and boots.

[@frostbitevinnie]

Good point!

[@StreetSweeper5605]

I'm gonna have to try this method for my indian scout tire. I can't get it to set for nothing 🥴

[@crystaldream5219]

Thats my problem.... No hat. About to go jump on mine in my front yard lol

[@garrettsharber3926]

This is nothing compared to what my neighbors witnessed me try 😂

[@JonBallRealEstate]

I fucking forgot this trick ugggh

[@frostbitevinnie]

Now you have a reminder!😁

[@patrickgallardo3836]

Going to try this tomorrow... irritated right now f***k!🤬...

[@frostbitevinnie]

@@patrickgallardo3836 good luck! Hope it works for you.

[@michaelbdoherty]

Anyone who mounts a tire wearing saddles has rocks in his head

[@Snowburnt]

Did mine last week with no socks or shoes. Highly DONT recommend. Lol.