Tyring work!

In reply to the letter about obstinate tyres in OBM427, I say from experience – absolutely!

Forty-odd years ago, three small (six inch!) Dunlop tyre levers were part of my tool kit and were called upon to fix the odd roadside puncture and every tyre change. We’re talking TT100s and Avon Roadrunners on British 650s here, and they never failed me, ever!

Now, I am like the previous correspondent: older than I was then (early 60s now). However, I am still pretty strong and fit. I have to agree that modern tyres are a nightmare and I believe the beading has changed, probably to do with most modern stuff being for tubeless fitment these days.

The last tyres I did (a TT100 and Avon Roadrider) required levers of 18 inches plus and some real excessive exertion on my part to get the final bead over. It nearly killed me and “Never again!” I said, putting it down to my increasing years.

But – and this IS the point – both wheels had security bolts fitted as standard and over the years I’ve never had a problem seating tyres with the inner rubber part of the security bolts. Yet neither of these tyres would seat; both rims are different, one an original chromed Jones, and the other a flanged alloy. So that’s two different tyres on two different rims that, until now, I’d never had a problem with.

I took the security bolts out and blanked the holes in the rims in the end as I reckon my riding these days doesn’t warrant their fitting. My days of traffic light drags against Japanese two strokes are long gone. Both tyres seated perfectly without the inner rubber part of the security bolt. I’ve heard this before so I can only guess that the bead has changed in some way, perhaps a tyre expert knows.

As for the tyres on my modern bikes, yes, I go to the tyre fitters and don’t think about doing it myself. I can’t believe I’ve become such a weed that I can’t change a TT100 or equivalent on an old Brit bike, so something has definitely changed and it’s not just my age!

I wonder if others have had the same or similar experiences.

Mark Halford (age 62 & 1/2),

Winsford, Cheshire