The front on the R1100RT was getting a little on the low side. So I ordered a new BT023 during the week and it arrived on thursday. Kept it in the house to help with flexibility when fitting.

Got around to fitting it this morning; wheel off, valve out[1], bead broken..

Then to move the 'stuff' out of the way of the tyre post [2]. And what's on the top of the tyre post... a pair of BT023s that I took off my R1200RT before this year's trip (I prefer to start with fresh tyres to reduce the risk I need to get one changed when touring) They were fitted in summer 2022 so not *that* old. I looked at the front and it's got 3.2mm of tread, new has 4.4mm. Oh well.

So I've fitted the part worn and put the new tyre in a couple of bin-bags and placed it by the tyre post. Hopefully next time I need to change a front on the R1100 or R1200 I'll remember there's a new one 'in stock'.

[1] I didn't bother changing the valve, the rubber *looks* good and I don't have a really stubby one 'in stock'. According to my records I changed it in 2020 so it's probably fine for a bit.

[2] Sealey TC965 which I've had for about ten years and I can thoroughly recommend, it transforms tyre changing from something that's done scrabbling around the ground, sweating horribly to something that's done at waist height without too much effort or sweat. Used in conjunction with a decent tyre bar[3] and you can forget all about levers. It took about an hour to remove the wheel, remove the old tyre, fit a new tyre, seat the bead and (static) balance it then refit the wheel to the bike.

[3] I use something like a Sealey TC963 (and don't forget the clamps[4] to push the tyre into the well to help with fitting and stop going round and round in circles chasing the tyre...) a much easier tool to use than levers and minimal risk of damaging a rim.

[4] Something like https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285439940755

On 05/11/2023 14:42, Stephen Packer wrote:
> The front on the R1100RT was getting a little on the low side. So I ordered a new BT023 during the week and it arrived on thursday. Kept it in the house to help with flexibility when fitting.
>
> Got around to fitting it this morning; wheel off, valve out[1], bead broken.
>
> Then to move the 'stuff' out of the way of the tyre post [2]. And what's on the top of the tyre post... a pair of BT023s that I took off my R1200RT before this year's trip (I prefer to start with fresh tyres to reduce the risk I need to get one changed when touring) They were fitted in summer 2022 so not *that* old. I looked at the front and it's got 3.2mm of tread, new has 4.4mm. Oh well.

I've nearly forgotten what it is like to go on a ride that requires me
to work when/when I need to pre-order tyres.

--
Bruce Porter
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