How to Repair Pocket Bike Flat Tires

The best way to ruin a good ride on your pocket bike is to get a flat tire. While they don't happen often, when you do get a flat, it can be a pain to drag the bike back home. Fortunately, with a few tools and a little pocket bike knowledge, you can be back out on the pavement in no time by changing your own tire.

Things You'll Need

  • New inner tube
  • Tire lever
  • Basic tool set
  • Air compressor or hand-pump
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Set your pocket bike up on its kickstand so that the wheel with the flat tire is suspended off the ground. If your pocket bike doesn't have a kickstand (some don't), carefully flip the bike upside down onto its handlebars and seat.

    • 2

      Use a socket or combination wrench to loosen and remove the main axle bolt of the wheel with the flat tire. Pull the wheel out of the forks or swing arm. Use a tire lever to separate the old tire and tube from the rim and set them both aside The tube can be disposed of.

    • 3

      Set one bead (or one side) of the tire back onto the rim, so that one still remains unattached. If you are fixing a flat on the rear wheel, pay special attention to the directional markers on the tire and make sure you mount it facing the correct direction.

    • 4

      Use a hand pump or air compressor to inflate the new inner tube slightly. This will help you avoid pinch flats when mounting the second tire bead. Set the valve stem of the tube through the valve hole in the rim and push the rest of the inner tube into the tire.

    • 5

      Mount the second tire bead on the rim. If at any point the tire becomes too difficult to push onto the rim, use a tire lever to wedge it into place carefully. Use a hand pump or air compressor to fill the tire to the recommended pressure (marked in bold type on the tire sidewall).

    • 6

      Set the wheel in place and use a socket or combination wrench to reinstall and tighten the main axle bolt. Be sure the axle is tight, not snug, or it may come loose while riding causing a crash and possible injury.