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Scooters - 125 to 300 => Agility 125 => Topic started by: Vision on June 02, 2020, 11:36:09 AM
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How hard is it to change both tires? It looks difficult and I'd rather pay someone but having the freedom to do it yourself would be great.
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I suppose that's going to depend on your skills as a home mechanic. Assuming you have all the correct sizes of spanners / sockets, it's a bit of a chore, but not impossible. On most scooters, the rear will be more of a challenge as you usually need to remove the silencer and sometimes uncouple a shock absorber to gain easier access.
Once you have the wheel(s) out I'd recommend taking the loose wheel to a bike shop to have them fit the new tyres for a nominal charge as I've heard stories of levers damaging the wheel alloy in the hands of the enthusiastic amateur?
I've no doubt an Agility 125 owner on the Forum will fill in more of the blanks for you, as many on here do the whole tire changing job themselves!
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The only tools REQUIRED to change a tire on a wheel is any air pump(even a mini bike bump will work), 1 ratchet strap, preferably three, 10-24 inch tire irons, and soap. I do not know what bike you have so I can't say the tools required, usually a big wrench or ratchet and a 24mm socket for the Agility 125 rear axle nut and then 12mm for the exhaust studs.
I you are interested I have an entire photo series that I was intending to post as a tutorial. The tire changing learners curve is sharp. My first tire took 13 hours start to finish, the second 45 Min, and if we make that a straight graph the next should take about 4 seconds. If your rims are painted expect to mar the edges your first time. After a few changes you can use plastic iron protectors but they are hard to use for a beginner like myself. I believe it Is a good skill to know even if you decide for a shop change to save time in the future.
It is a great team bonding experience. I would say try it. You can take the wheels to a shop any time as Neil said(I just don't like giving them the whole bike).
P.S. If you buy an Iron three pack I would get the solid metal bar type. The ones that look like giant screwdrivers bend when you jump on them in hatred.
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My mistake, I assume you have an agility as this is posted on the agility forum. Let me compress so photos and I will get a post written up.
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Thanks guys
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Last time I changed the tires I couldn't get the rear tire to seat on the rim.
Used the air compressor (as before) at the gas station but this time it didn't work.
Finally gave up and took it to a tire shop. They popped it on in 10 seconds.
Next time I'm just gonna get the wheels off and take them to a shop.
Sent from my Redmi 4 using Tapatalk
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I had the same issue the first time but found a simple solve I will share here shortly.
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Here is my process for a tire change. It may take a little while to get all the pictures up so please bear with me.
Step 1. Remove exhaust assembly.
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Step 2. Remove the wheel. I used a breaker bar and socket. Took the bike off the center stand, held the rear brake, and reached over the bike with the ratchet.
You may need to loosen the sub fender for wheel removal clearance.
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Step 2 continued.
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Step 3. Break the bead. Begin by deflating the tire by removing the valve stem core. If kneeling on the bead doesn't break it, place a board onto the tire(NOT OVER THE RIM) and with the help of spotter slowly drive a car on to the board slightly.
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Step 4. Remove tire with tire levers.
The top bead should pry off fairly easily and you should be able to stand on the rim and pull the tire off the second edge by hand.
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Step 5. Clean the wheel and inspect for any sharp burrs or damage in the bead seat.
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Step 6. Begin new tire install. After wiping down and inspecting the tire and wheel for damage you are ready to install. Mix a soap solution as a lubricant for the levers. I used 1 tbsp of dish soap in one cup water.
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Step 6 continued. Decide on tire tread orientation and slide the first bead over the rim. Dip the levers in the soap or wipe it onto the tire bead. Begin working the second bead over. Many will be optimistic, almost done, only 8 inches left. Those 8 inches will divide those who dream from those who have done.
No criticism if that is the point you want to take it to a shop. Better to wait until next time to attempt it with your gained experience than to damage the tire bead.
Be very careful with the bead under the high stress at the end and make sure it turns in toward the wheel on the lever and is not flipped outward toward you. If it is release the lever and reset as that will split the bead,
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Step 7. Install balance beads(optional) and seat the tire. I always add 2 ounces of ceramic Dyna beads to my scooter tires as the cheap tires will wear badly if unbalanced. Just press one tire wall down on the rim and pour the beads in while ensuring none remain on the tire bead.
Here is the trick I have used to seat a tire even with a cyclist mini pump. Wrap the aforementioned ratchet strap around the tire circumference on the center stripe and tension to squeeze the tire to the wheel. Seal the tire to the rim by pouring your left over soap solution over the rim perimeter on both sides. Re-install valve core and begin pumping. Press the valve to make sure the tire is holding pressure. If it is not tighten the strap and add soap. Once the tire pops into the seat or reaches max recommended psi, remove the strap and bounce the tire on the floor while working your way around to set it. Check for a proper seat and then inflate to standard pressure.
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Install in the opposite of removal. I recommend replacing the exhaust gasket. Don't over tighten the exhaust nut or you will have a 17mm stud like my bike has. I would do a brake service while the wheel is off.
Hope this was helpful. Wouldn't mind if it was pinned for future readers.
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TBR that was very thorough and most informative. Particularly like your hack with the ratchet strap - sheer brilliance!
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For the front the tire change is the same but the removal is easy. Simply pop the axle caps off with a scredriver, remove the axle nut, and drop the wheel out of the fork. The center stand is awesome.
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Thanks. I heard about it in a 1940' popular mechanics home edition. It still works though especially with the soap for sealing.
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Good idea for using the ratchet strap! ;)
I'll try it next time.
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My quandary is how to change the car tire as the scooter doesn't work on the bead break ramp. Guess I need a truck. Top of the tire chain will have to be a tracked dozer.
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Thanks TBR125.
This is a good video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI4xfIeS_pc&t=777s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI4xfIeS_pc&t=777s)
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Very good video. The tire he is installing is actually the tire I just removed. It lasted a surprisingly short time. It was a soft rubber.
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How about replacing the tire stem. I'd like one like you have, metal and outward facing. Do they just pull out/push in?
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Oh, I replaced the stem because I was tired of having to use a 90 degree adapter on the rear wheel. I bought a pack of elbow stems off Amazon and to install them you just dip into soap and pull through from the tire side of the rim. To remove the old you can slice the rubber with a razor knife and then remove it with pliers.
Here is the link for the pack I got. They are good quality.
https://www.amazon.com/V%C3%A1lvula-universal-90-grados-unidades-scooter/dp/B017TECC1E/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mmg+90+degree+valve+stem&link_code=qs&qid=1591138804&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-2 (https://www.amazon.com/V%C3%A1lvula-universal-90-grados-unidades-scooter/dp/B017TECC1E/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mmg+90+degree+valve+stem&link_code=qs&qid=1591138804&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-2)
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Thanks, ordered.
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Nicely done!
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Any tricks to getting the wheel nut off? Mine seems stuck, so put some wd40 on it. I tried wood in the spoke, that broke; the rear brake, sitting on it.
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The wood needs to be thicker! Or tougher. Or use an iron pipe inside a bigger PVC pipe.
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I used a clamp on the rear brake while laying over the bike to smash the tire into the ground. It was a battle.
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Finally got it off.
Here's a great video, am very impressed with this guy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddvpz2GtCVA&t=256s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddvpz2GtCVA&t=256s)
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I am humbled. Never realized the bead drop was for one side of the tire to ease installation. I am looking forward to the next tire change.
Thanks for pointing him out!
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So I changed the rear tire...twice. Even trying to do it right I put it on backwards, not a fun time. It's hard sweaty work. The worst part is getting the old tire off once the bead has been broken.
On changing the front tire, does it come off with the brake disk on it? If so I have no idea how you world wrestle with it with that in the way.
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Glad you got! The front is easier to work with if you pull the four? disc bolts and remove it.
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Anybody know the front axle nut size? Is it 17mm? The manual is wrong (on the rear).
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Rear nut is 24mm. Front is 14mm bolt head with 19mm nut.
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Thanks
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@TBR125,
just came across your tread and pics, well done.
Thanks alot.
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@TBR125,
just came across your tread and pics, well done.
Thanks alot.
Glad it helped. I've recently stepped up the challenge to changing my corolla tires. Need to find a semi-truck to break the bead though:)