Contisport Attack....

[General Gman]

So..... fitted the Conti rear last night (FN hard work with nowt to break the bead now I have no shed - just two big tyre levers and some soapy water)..
Have only done 40 miles to work this morning, but initial impressions are good.
Ride is fairly firm - tyre is very stable at high-ish speed over cat's eyes etc while filtering along the M4.On the twisty stuff, it sticks like bogeys to a blanket and turns very nicely.
The big test will be the scottish run - see how it performs up there.
I'm still running a pirelli diablo front cos it's got loads of life in it, and it feels fine with the Conti rear.

[cam7777]

Did you balance the wheel? was there any need too?

Questions questions, I am interested because I have no experience in fitting my own tyres and fancy giving it a go next time, do I need to buy anything to help me fit my own tyres?

Regards

[General Gman]

I didn't balance the wheel - just put the light spot by the valve.
Where I lived before I had a home made balacing thingy, but never needed to add weights.
There are no vibes with the tyre, so am happy with it.
Fitting tyres isn't difficult, but can be hard work.
I usually use a couple of G clamps on the tyre to break the bead, but haven't got one big enough to squeeze a 180 section tyre, so back to basics - two 300mmm tyre levers, lots of soapy water, brute force and patience.
You just have to work the bead, dribble soapy water in the gap, work it a bit more.... once the bead breaks you can just push it off the rest of the circumference easily.
Then do the other side.Then fairly easy to get the tyre off the rim.
Putting the new one on is even easier - one side just slips over the rim, the other does some times, but there are occasions when you need to use tyre levers to get the last few inches over.
Then connect up a foot pump and go like mad for about 10 mins until the bead pops in.If it's being difficult, bounce the tyre up and down around the whole circumference and try again.Usually works.
Only ever had one tyre that I've had to use an airline to seat the bead.
Once you've done one set of tyres and you get the knack, it's easy.I can ususally do a pair in about 30 mins - using no specific tools.
If I had a bead breaker, that would reduce to about 15 mins.
BTW, what bike do you have ? if it's a 600, they are soooo easy to do cos of the skinny rims.

[cam7777]

Thanks for that Dave.

I have that noisy 1200 Bandit as seen on IOW. Its got the same size tyres as your FZR but I might make my own bead breaker like the garages have, I also have an air compressor.

Will let you know how I get on when the time comes.

Cheers mate

[General Gman]

Yes. of course.
I always forget who everyone is
Lovely noise that beauty makes......
I've got a big ole hydraulic ram with a steel shoe on the end that I've been meaning to rig up for ages as a bead breaker but never got round to it.
I need to weld up a frame and mounting for it, then it should make doing the tyres a breeze.

[CD]

I went to a car tyre fitters and blagged some clear tyre soap. They filled a jamjar for me FOC. Cant say fairer than a good FOC). It will last me for ever. It makes tyre fitting so much easier than soapy water and not corrosive like fairy liquid.

To break the bead, I wrap a heavy garden pade with rags to protect the rim. Place wheel flat with wooden blocks under the rim. Postion spade on tyre against rim and jump on it. Blam. Works every time if theres no air in the tyre (valve out ;o).

[General Gman]

okely dokely.....
Rear tyre coped admirably with the mostly dry scottish roads, and was useful in the wet too.
Didn't square off too much after around 870 miles of motorway riding.Still feels good, and has almost as much tread as when I left on thursday.
Will happily buy these again (if someone is selling more used ones on t'ebay)
Works very well with a pirelli diablo front.