Homemade Bead Seater

[C420sailor]

Guys and gals,

I used to be a motorcycle mechanic. I changed LOTS of bike tires. Usually, the challenge was getting the tire spooned onto the wheel, and seating the beads was just a matter of pulling the valve core and sending air in for that satisfying double pop. I always brought my trucklet to a tire shop, but got tired for paying to do something I know I could do myself.

I bought a Harbor Freight bead breaker and got to work. Got the old tires off, spooned new ones on. Here’s where the fun begins...

I tried simply pumping a ton of air into the tire from my 60gal compressor. The air rushed out around the beads as fast as it came in. I tried all the tricks. Ratchet straps, ether/lighter (just made a ton of fire, and I did not feel comfortable at all doing this), rope, etc. Nothing worked. I finally came across a video of this contraption:



I’m sure many of you are familiar with it.

Not wanting to spend $250 on one, and wait for it to come in, I decided to make one.

(1) 5 gallon air tank from HF ($31)
(1) 1x12” galvanized nipple ($9)
(1) 1” brass 1/4 turn ball valve ($20)

I used a step drill to bore a 1” hole in the end of the tank (gauge end) inside the dimple. Cut a length from the nipple just long enough to go between the valve and tank and allow the handle to clear the tank (4” maybe). I cleaned around the tank hole, sanded off the galvanizing on the pipe, and thoroughly welded the pipe in place. Attached the ball valve to the threaded end of the pipe. Then I took a torch and hammer to the remaining piece of nipple, hammering the tip into a gentle oval shape.

Works like a charm, no risk of burning yourself with ether. Also doubles as a small portable air tank.

I’ll try to get some pics posted, but if you do your own tires and want a small afternoon project, I highly recommend this.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Anytime I’ve seen the ether method used there was a mild explosion but not a lot of flame. I’ve always had good luck with a ratchet strap, and removing the needle valve from the stem.

A proper bead seater takes all of the headache out of it for sure. Also, makes a hell of a golfball/potato gun.

 

[imp]

Anytime I’ve seen the ether method used there was a mild explosion but not a lot of flame. I’ve always had good luck with a ratchet strap, and removing the needle valve from the stem.

A proper bead seater takes all of the headache out of it for sure. Also, makes a hell of a golfball/potato gun.

Here's a trick I learned after MANY bead headaches. If new tire being installed, always be certain it was STORED vertically, not with a ton of tires lying flat on it. Check distance between beads; if close together, you will likely have trouble seating. A lot has to do with the rim, also, if WIDER rims are being used. Helps if area of rim which bead slips over to get contact is CLEAN; a small chunk of rubber stuck there will impede seating. So, cleaning rims helps, with sandpaper.

The trick of the tire installers, that huge blast of air which really works depends on a very high volume flow capability, which means short, fat air hose and high-volume valve used. Several times, I installed an INNER TUBE, aired up, then used tire awhile and later removed the tube. Lots of work, but the damned tire then was stretched enough to seat the beads using my air gun.

I was always a glutton for punishment! (and good food)

 

[C420sailor]

That was my problem. The tires were stored stacked, and I didn’t unband them for months after shipping.