jerem@tekgvs.UUCP (Jere Marrs) (07/16/85)
Today, on my way home from work, I had a flat tire. After all the usual
"Why now, why today?" I pulled over (no choice there) and fixed it in front of
the Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
This was the first tire I had been forced to fix with 1.) the cast
wheels of the 1982 BMW, and 2.) a tube filled with that liquid wheel-balance
stuff. I had often wondered what it would be like to fix a tire if all of that
GAK got out of the tube and into the tire casing. Well, I found out.
I always carry a spare tube under the seat, and so opted not to take
time to patch the tube. Also, I'm having regular maintenance tomorrow. The
first pleasant surprise was that there was no difficulty in breaking the
bead - sometimes a real problem. The second pleasant surprise came when I
tried to pull the bead over the rim with the tire tools. The GAK was kinda
greasy and made that task surprisingly easy. It really is GAKy, though.
The same advantage applied to getting the bead back over the rim after
replacing the tube.
I realize now that if I had chosen, or found it necessary, to patch
the punctured tube, the GAK would have made that very difficult since dryness
and a roughed-up rubber surface is essential for a good patch. I suppose I
could have sacrificed my handkerchief (but certainly NOT my BMW rag!) and wiped
an area clean, but I wonder if that would have sufficed?
I will continue to carry a spare tube, and I will continue to use
the liquid balancer for the following reasons:
1. The GAK makes the tube deflate slowly allowing one to
make choices about where to stop and to do so safely.
2. It does an outstanding job of balancing the wheel.
3. The GAK lubricates the tire for easy removal and replacement
from and on the rim.
I am always impressed with how many nails I see in those little
triangular patches of gravel at intersections. Avoid them where you can. Keep
your guard up when travelling through areas under construction. Avoid, if at
all possible the edge of highways where there is gravel and mechanical
carrion strewn. Paved, but untravelled median strips are gold mines for
nails and other objects that can cause a puncture. Avoid them.
Carry spare tube/pump/tire tools/patch kit.
I was impressed with the flexibility of the Continental K112 tire.
It is a new tire and it was a warm day which probably helped in getting
the bead over the rim. I didn't have a flat with my previous TK44, but I
wonder if it is as easily repaired?
Jere M. Marrs
Tektronix, Inc.
Beaverton, Oregon
{ihnp4,...}!tektronix!tekgvs!jerem
P.S. When you get the wheel off of the bike, break and pull the bead over
the rim, remove and replace the tube and begin pumping it up, be
*sure* that you have removed the offending nail from the tire! (blush)
-jdavem@tekchips.UUCP (Dave Menicosy) (07/16/85)
------- When I got a flat and discovered what the GAK feels like, I wasn't as fortunate as Jere Marrs on two counts. First, I didn't have my spare tube; I had to patch the tube that got punctured. It *is* possible to get the GAK off, dry the tube, rough it up and put on a patch that will get you to the dealer for a new tube. Second, my bike decided it likes the woods better than the city; the biggest challenge in doing my roadside repair was keeping all the little fir needles, twigs, rocks, etc, off the GAK-covered tube. My handkerchief did not suffice for cleaning the GAK off the tube -- I had to sacrifice a bath towel to get the job done. Jere is absolutely right -- the GAK makes it much easier to slide the tube in and out, as well as get the tire off and on the rim. Definitely no need for soapy water when the GAK gets loose. Dunlop Tour Elite are terrible tires -- the side walls are stiff and difficult to get on and off the rims. Conti SuperTwins and Metzeler Perfects are much easier to deal with. Plan on getting a new pair of gloves after you're done with the job. Mine have never been the same since. Dave Menicosy 503-627-6197