Buell Firebolt XB12R 2004 Manual page 21

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TIRES
GENERAL
Inspect tires for punctures, cuts, breaks and wear at least
weekly.
11 1
WARNING
Always check both tire sidewalls for arrows indicat-
ing forward rotation. Some tires require different tire
rotation depending on whether tire is used on front
or rear wheel. Installing a tire with the wrong rotation
could result in death or serious injury.
Dunlop front and rear tires for Buell motorcycles are
not the same. They are not interchangeable. Use
front tire ONLY for a front tire. DO NOT put a rear tire
on the front of a vehicle. Failure to follow this warn-
ing could result in death or serious injury.
1
CAUTION
Some tires have arrows molded into the tire sidewall.
These tires should be mounted on the rim with the arrow
pointing in the direction of forward rotation. The yellow
circle on the sidewall is a balance mark and should be
aligned 180 degrees from the balance mark (blue dot) on
inside of rim.
REMOVAL
1. Remove wheel from motorcycle. See
WHEEL or 2.6 REAR WHEEL.
2. Deflate tire.
3. See Figure 2-30. Loosen both tire beads from rim flange.
11 1
WARNING
Do not use excessive force when starting bead over rim.
Excessive force may damage tire or rim and adversely
affect handling which could result in death or serious
injury.
4. If a bead breaker machine is not available, attach RIM
PROTECTORS (Part No. HD-01289) to the rim. Using
tire tools (not sharp instruments), start upper bead over
edge of rim at valve. Repeat all around rim until first bead
is over rim.
5. See Figure 2-31. Push lower bead into rim well on one
side and insert tire tool underneath bead from opposite
side. Pry bead over rim edge. Remove tire from rim.
6. Remove valve stem if it is damaged or leaks.
7. Mount tire on TIRE SPREADER (Part No. HD-21000) for
inspection and repair procedures.
WARNING
2.5 FRONT
WARNING
b0198x2x
Figure 2-30. Loosening Beads from Rim Flange
Pry bead over rim edge and
remove tire from rim
b0199x2x
Figure 2-31. Starting Tire Off Rim
Lubricate rim flange and both
beads before installation
b0200x2x
Figure 2-32. Starting Bead on Rim
2004 Buell Firebolt: Chassis
2.8
2-21