How to Repair Dirt Bike Tires

While dirt bike tires are slightly more difficult than bicycle tires to repair, they are similar jobs. Unlike street bikes, most dirt bike tires use tube and tire designs. While tubeless tires are catching on, they are mostly found on high-dollar raciing machines that are out of the price range of average consumers. Tubed dirt bike tire blowouts are usually caused by a tear in the inner tube rather than a tire failure, according to motorcycle specialist David Hough. Proper tool use is always recommended, and as such it is not suggested to use crowbars or screwdrivers instead of actual tire levers due to the potential of destroying the tire bead with improper tools.

Things You'll Need

  • 10-inch adjustable wrench
  • Metal dirt bike tire levers (at least two)
  • Clean cloth
  • Fresh tube
  • Tube patch kit (optional)
  • Fresh tire (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the axle lugs that hold the wheel to the frame. Turn the lugs counter-clockwise with the adjustable wrench to loosen them, then slide the wheel out of the dirt bike.

    • 2

      Use dirt bike tire levers to lift one bead of the tire off of the rim. This step requires much strength and occasionally two tire levers. Slip the spoon end of the lever under the tire bead and lever the bead over the rim. Hold this lever in place while you slip the second spoon under the bead and slide it away from the first lever to pull the bead free of the rim.

    • 3

      Remove the tube from the tire once enough of the tire bead is loosened to allow access to the tube.

    • 4

      Slide the clean cloth around the inside of the dirt bike tire to check for foreign materials stuck in the tire.

    • 5

      Inspect the tire for any visible damage--cuts, tears, abrasions or holes--and replace it if it is badly damaged.

    • 6

      Inspect the tube to find the hole. Small holes causing slow leaks may require inflation of the tube to discover the location of the hole. While a small hole may be patched if desired, patches are not guaranteed to hold. It is better to replace the tube if a leak is discovered.

    • 7

      Patch the tube if desired. Typically patch kits chemically bond two pieces of rubber around the hole to stop the air leak. Follow the manufacturer's directions for patching.

    • 8

      Install the new or patched tube in the tire. Place a small amount of air in the tube before inserting it in the tire to keep the tube from twisting or binding when the bead is installed.

    • 9

      Push the bead back inside the rim. This will likely require using the tire levers to lever the bead back onto the rim. Be careful not to pinch the tube while installing the tire bead or the entire job will need to be performed a second time.

    • 10

      Inflate the tire to check for any leaks. If it leaks, repeat Steps 2 through 10.

    • 11

      Install the tire on the dirt bike. Use the adjustable wrench to tighten the lugs while you hold the wheel in place. Make sure the wheel is straight in the frame.