For years I've always had a running joke with friends who have struggled with changing tires, by saying something along the lines of: "Well...you definitely wouldn't have been competitive in the 1970 El Escorial, Spain International Six Day Trails!"
But it's often had me thinking, was that actually fact, that a guy like Malcolm Smith, could change a rear tire on a 1970 Husky in 4 minutes or less with the bike laying on it's side, with no tire stand, and just whatever tools he could carry with him? I know the old chrome steel rims had a lower lip, which would make tire swaps easier, but 4 minutes still seems unreal? Maybe that was just something that Bruce Brown came up with while narrating to make things more interesting for the viewer?
Last week I timed myself on a rear tire change on my FE501, within the comforts of my garage, with the bike on a stand, and my trusty old 55 gallon VP drum to use for the tire swap. I was able to remove the wheel from the bike, swap the tire and re-install the wheel back onto the bike in just under 20 minutes. Now mind you I wasn't working as fast as possible and had to make some extra trips to the tool box, but I was honestly surprised as I consider myself pretty decent at tire changes and it really made me really question Malcolm pulling off 4 minute tire change on the side of a dirt road in the middle of Spain?!
What is the fastest you folks have been able to remove a wheel from your bike, throw on a new tire and re-install it?
Tire change scene starts at the 3:52 mark...
My first 6 days my tire changing was not good. One tire in the work period was all I could handle. I practiced all the next year to the point I could change my rear tire 12 times in an hour. This was before Raboconda’s. Zip Ty hoop on a sheet of plywood. After this exercise I was done. I don’t think I’ve ever sweat so much. This was with a used mousse and tire. What was amazing was watching Fredette do it with tubes.
I worked with an old enduro pro setting up race courses in the early to mid 80s, he could change a tire on the trail in 8-10 minutes when he wasn’t in a hurry. He talked about turning down one side of the rim to make it easier, and other tricks. So yeah, 4 minutes was doable.
That is insane. Seriously impressive.
I'm lucky if I can do it in half an hour without pinching a damn tube like an idiot 🤦
My bud got a rear flat once at Hardrock In Ocala with one moto in between the 2 classes he was racing. No problem, fixed the flat got him to the line in time, I couldn't beleive it
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