Re: [CR]Re: gluing tubies

T f T T o T. Time for Ted's Tips on Tubulars. First off, many of the posts had great and correct info. Some of them were a mixture of fact and rumor. Let's try to sort it out. First, a lot of the info was a combo of old orange shellac and mastic mixing. S & S: The reason for stretching is so one can mount the tire without starting in the kitchen and ending up with glue all thru the house and out the front door onto the porch. Don't stretch the tire too hard so the stitching rips too much, when the sewing starts to let itself be heard, back off and move tire position. Then stretch a little more. I don't care what the hell kind of contortions or devices you use to achieve this. When using a rim only, remember the rim will bow as you begin to pull the tire onto it and it gets much more difficult because you are losing directional pressure as the rim ovalizes. I've cracked a few ()*$^&Y rims doing this. A lot of guys/gals will have an old wheel or a rim with a hub and a few spokes in it for the first stretch on and then change over to the hoop only for storage. If a tire is very tight even on a rim, hold your foot on the rim, put a small bar/screwdriver between tire and rim and slowly stretch and work your way around the rim, gently stretching the tire. Sew-ups are great in that the stitching is done so that the times "shrinks", reduces circumference as inflated and gets tighter on rim. Built in anti roll off device. Stretching is only the first benefit. Tires are only guaranteed by distributor and hopefully by your trustworthy retailer IF there is NO GLUE on the tire. Then you should be able to take it back . You might want to put a layer of masking tape or some such on your old rims to protect your base tape in case of return necessity. The tire when stored on rim will also let itself be straightened and then develop a small "seat" line on edges so it finds its' proper spot on rim easier when mounted. If it's crooked take it back. It will also act as a test against any defect in sewing, puncture, valve, protector lifting off casing, sidewall defect, you name it, then it can go back for replacement at no charge to you. Put glue on it and you bought it, sucker! That's why a really good professional shop will do this for you and have their tires on rims so they can take care of that before selling. DUH! Nice for you to inspect, too. When storing your tires it's nice to have them on rims lightly inflated to roundness. When stretching to install, dynamite 'em for the final stretch before installing. I don't believe in putting more than one coat of glue on the base tape and never for storage. Gets too dry and could crack base tape when getting ready for use. If a tire is left flat on or off rim too long, the crease along the casing could accelerate the tube deterioration and the casing could also get dry and/or loosen in it's plys I like to store my tires on rims, keep in dark cooler spot or in big black plastic bag to keep smog and ozone away, while periodically keeping inflated to round, maybe 30/40 pounds air. I've known guys to keep tires in nitrogen, or deflate, roll up flat and put in freezer then slowly thaw out and then put on rims, etc. TOO MUCH! I don't think keeping tires more than a year or so makes any good sense, so try to estimate your useup time and buy accordingly. That gives an easy overview on S & S'ing. If any Q's please feel free to query on or off line depending on how you rate the merits of your inquiry. I'm easy and won't judge, in fact I always hope to learn stuff when I start in on these subjects. Next installment: Prep for mounting. (Don't go there!)
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA USA