Change a tire and put a barrel

In the past, changing a tire was a routine job. Now that is no longer the case. But for motorcycles with inner tubes, a tire can still be done if at least a few good (at least 40 cm long) tire levers are used. If, during assembly, care is taken that the inner tube does not get stuck between the tire and the rim. If the inner tube is not punctured with the tire spoon. But if, after all the trouble, the tire does not fit nicely after inflation? Then there is usually forgotten to clean the rim.

Extra air and a blow from the tire

And no matter how much tire fat or washing-up liquid you use: the tire edge then 'sticks' to the dirt, the rust. So first clean the inner rim of the rim with a rotating brush, mount the 'greased' tire and press it firmly. When the tire was on 5 bar after it had been cleaned, it gave a bang. Not a bang of an exploding band, but a bang where the band neatly jumped into place. Don't forget to bring the tire to the correct pressure before the first ride.

Even more own efficacy: Broken cables

In the past, motorcyclists had everything with them. Or they improvised with what they found on the roadside. A piece of barbed wire, the branch of an oak tree. A dead horse. That time is over. But we too can help ourselves on the road. In the event of a broken gas or clutch cable, the ultimate repair with a new inner and outer cable plus the associated hardware may not be obvious. Just because of the required dismantling and assembly work.

The improvised repair with a loose 'barrel' or a universal inner cable with a few screw barrels can happen while everything stays in place. Loose barrels and universal inner cables do not have any 'Authorized dealer' on the shelf anymore. Consult the local motorcycle dealer or the local supplier of garden tools and machines. The repair is simple and effective. Provided it is carried out quietly and properly, it is a repair that you can use for years.

Such a cable works like this

Coupling and gas cables run from the handlebars, from the levers to the engine room. The coupling, the carburetors are operated by the pivot points and levers. The hollow outer spiral, supported on both sides, ensures smooth guidance and transmission of tensile forces through the inner cable. How the coupling and the gas handle work exactly, let's not take that into consideration. But by operating the cable, things have to move somewhere. And moving properly does things only if they can do it smoothly.

If the bowden cables are not fitted with a Teflon lining, it is not wrong to lubricate them annually. But the suffering is in the ends outside the spiral. Dirt can accumulate there and the pivot points can get stuck. It is not all rocket science, and that is precisely why it is so often overlooked. Don't do that now. The whole story can be prevented by keeping the pivot points and the visible inner cable pieces clean and slightly greasy.

If you can't do it the way you should ...

Then it should be done as it is possible. The on-board tools of most motorcycles are not much anymore, or are missing nowadays. The screw barrel solution (they come in different shapes and sizes) is a neat way to get back on the road. And once arrived home, the emergency repair can be immortalized by soldering the barrel. But do that with some caution. If the solder flows too far past the barrel, the cable will become stiff there. And eventually he breaks. And we had just passed that station.

Owners of engines with a set of carburetors that are operated by a 'pull' and a 'push' cable also have an adventurous alternative. With some tinkering and diverting the cable on the top, where the breakage usually; occurs, the push cable can usually be used to accelerate. That gas is then done by the gas handle FORWARD to turn. That requires some concentration and a well-trained guardian angel. For people who adhere to the true idea behind The Great Improvisation, the ragged end inner cable can be clamped between the jaws of a pair of pliers for lack of better. Because you always have a pair of pliers with you?

The operation of clutch or gas is then done with the reins of a horse. This approach can be accompanied by surprising steering responses during operation. Be careful with that!