If you're just getting into the sport, tyre fitment and removal can be one of the most daunting tasks when maintaining a kart.
It doesn't need to be.
More often than not, you'll be told by a 'friend' that it's maddening, hot, and frustrating work. Which is entirely true IF you're not using the correct tools.
While it is completely possible to remove tyres by hand, you'll end up hating yourself for days afterward, not to mention all the time needed to heat the tyres, the strength needed to compress them by hand, and the skinned knuckles and brused fingers that inevitably follow.
Our guide shows the correct way to get tyres ON and OFF a rim, without damaging the rim, super-fast and super-easy! Even the kids can do it!
You can also substitute the tool for a lower cost alternative, such as tyre removal bars which can be purchased from most automotive stores. However, in our experience this tool makes such a huge difference to installing and removing tyres that once you've used one, you'll think you were crazing doing it the hard way.
This tool can be operated with low strength and allows virtually anyone to change a tyre.
Using this tool dramatically reduces the time and effort required to remove and mount tyres. You will still require a bead breaker to start the process if you are removing tyres, but a bead breaker is not required to mount them.
TOP TIP - Lubricating your tyres before installing/removing
Wipe a soapy detergent over the both beads of the tyre before trying to slide them over the rim. Soap will give you the lubrication needed but will quickly dry - saving your tyre from sliding back off the rim or rotating under power (this is particularly critical on the rear of the kart). Do not use lubricants such as CRC, Inox, WD40, or grease etc as these items will not dry and will stay lubricated while the wheel is in use, leading to dangerous situations.
REMOVING A TYRE
1. Push the tyre off the bead at both ends using a bead breaker
- TyreRem1.jpg (11.49 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
2. Place the wheel on a flat surface with the inside of the wheel facing upwards
3. Insert the appropriate sized disc into the rear of the rim (NOTE: The disc is not required for this step on FRONT RIMS WITH BEARINGS)
- TyreRem2.jpg (14.92 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
4. Fold one side of the tyre down as shown
- TyreRem3.jpg (10.48 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
5. Insert the tip of the tool between the rim and bead opposite the folded part of the tye as shown
- TyreRem4.jpg (14 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
6. Lower the tool with handle down flat, with the white nylon rectangles facing upwards
7. Insert the pin through the tool then through the disc
- TyreRem5.jpg (11.99 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
8. Open the handles. The prongs will slowly peel the tyre up over the rim. Continue pulling the handles all the way around until the tyre is completly over the rim.
- TyreRem6.jpg (10.93 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
9. Flip the tyre/rim assembly over.
10. Fold one side of the tyre down.
11. Pull and lay the rim over onto the folded down section as shown. Ensure the rim edge shows through the hole in the centre of the tyre. Push and bend the rim down into the fold until you can get your hand through the tyre into the inside rear of the rim.
12. While holding the rim down, push the bead of the tyre off the rim.
- TyreRem7.jpg (21.26 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
INSTALLING A TYRE
1. Insert the rim into the tyre by the rear/inside first as shown in the top section of the picture below.
2. Turn the tyre and rim over so the inside of the rim faces upwards as shown.
- TyreInst1.jpg (12.49 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
3. Insert the appropriate sized disc into the rear of the rim (NOTE: The disc is not required for this step on FRONT RIMS WITH BEARINGS)
- TyreInst2.jpg (13.72 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
4. Place the tool in top of the tyre and rim assembly, over the disc with the white nylon rectangles hooked in under the lip of the rim.
5. Insert the locating pin
6. Ensure the tyre bead is under the white nylon rectanges - not behind them or they cannot push the bead down over the rim as the handle moves around.
- TyreInst3.jpg (25.05 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
7. Open Handle to roll the tyre onto the rim. Ensure nylon rectangle edge stays under the lip of the rim. Roll the handle around until the bead is completely inside the rim.
- TyreInst4.jpg (11.19 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
- TyreInst5.jpg (18.08 KiB) Viewed 2021 times
