Sealing a tire bead without any tools

[Max Continuous]

I saw this on another forum and it cracked me up. Talk about a poor man technique for getting a tire on a rim!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzbgyRrQybQ

[OU812]

I use a tie down around the tire. That looks a bit spooky!

[Ves]

Some time ago I saw a show, I believe it was three Nissan Pathfinders, that went up past the article circle. They ran these huge low pressure tires (to get maximum traction) which were prone to coming off their rims. They inflated them back up by using lighter fluid and a match. It worked... But looks to me like that guy was generating a little too much pressure... He's lucky it didn't blow up on him... Less fluid next time...

[CycleRob]

Regarding the video: What an IDIOT!!! He used about 5x the amount of starting fluid (Either) needed!! IT'S THE VAPOR THAT IGNITES, NOT THE LIQUID!!! Moron!!!
That tire still has at least a 2 second spray of unburned liquid Either and it's combustible byproducts trapped inside, soaking into the rubber. How good would you feel about that? That tire is literally a time bomb if/when the truck gets into an accident or hits a "road hazard" (metal shard, etc), especially if the tire is hot. KA-BOOM!!

That's a process used by many tractor trailer tire shops, because the truck tire sidewalls are so rigid. It's the lazy (I hesitate to say "man's) way to inflate a truck tire. There is an inflatable constrictor that squeezes the tire OD, forcing the sidewalls out into contact. I doubt the DOT (Dept Of Transportation for our friends overseas) or any smart person would approve of the starting fluid method.

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[boxermania]

When I was a teenager we used an adjustable, inflatable "belt" around the outer circumference of the tire to prevent the air from scaping during inflation....pretty much as described by the CRod above......Hmmm.....would that make us age contemporaries.....that's an scary thought......

[Sunbeemer]

I've used a piece of rope around the center of the tread with a big screwdriver twisted in it to tighten it like a tourniquet to squeeze the tire onto the rim to seat the bead. While the method shown in the video works, it obviously could be hazardous to your health, and that of any future tire changers.

NOTE: Be aware that some cans of "Fix-A-Flat" aerosol tire inflators contain propane (flammable ) and if you've used it to inflate a tire be sure to let your tire changer know so he won't blow himself up !

[OU812]

I use a tie down around the tire. That looks a bit spooky!

Now is that not what I said?

[Sunbeemer]

Great minds...