Neat trick...just make sure that you're not smoking the next time you let
air out of that tire!

On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 9:33 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:

>   I learned the trick from the Mexicans in Baja...in remote
> "Llanteras"...tire "shops"....often a side-room off a family dwelling  with
> a palm thatch roof and no electricity.  Tire changing done with irons and
> hammers.
>
>    Getting the bead to seat and the tire to begin taking air without a
> fancy tire machine  and all the stuff used by modern places....
>     I was dealing with a larger truck tire from my diesel pick up
> truck...hard enough to air up with tools, but I had seen the guys in Baja
> seating the tire beads on big semi trucks and bus tires this way also...so
> I did it..first time it worked fine...
>
>   You pour about a shot glass of gasoline inside the tire after it is
> mounted  for taking air.    Often the little primitive Llanteras don't have
> high-flow unlimited compressed air...sometimes they even use hand
> pumps....so pushing and pulling the tire and rim as you attempt to fill
> it...that is not often possible...In my case, filling my pickup tire with a
> bicycle pump took me about 2 Coronas...
>   Anyway....you pour the gas inside the tire and roll the tire/rim around
> to get the gas/air mxture in the tire just right....then you toss a kitchen
> match at it and jump back...The gas in the tire explodes and forces the
> bead to seat on the rim.....just like magic, it works!
>    I've spent time in Baja tire shops and watched them do this as their
> normal daily way of saving some time....You don't need no steenkin'
> windlass or inflatable belt around the tread....Just a quick shot of Pemex
> in the tire and "Poof!"....you can put the air in, pronto!  Amaze your
> friends and customers...look real macho..
>
> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 8:59 AM, Brett Ne <brettn777@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Please elaborate on your match/gasoline trick for seating the bead.
>>
>> On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 8:15 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >    Another consideration when working on your off road
>> suitability....Alloy
>> > wheels are more prone to damage than steel ones.   Alloys will fracture
>> or
>> > fail when you hit the rim into a pothole or smoosh a huge boulder with a
>> > low air tire....Steelies, if they do get damaged off road, they can be
>> bent
>> > back often times....or at least enough to get the bead to seat for the
>> > tire, enabling you to keep moving.  I have twice bent steel rims in Baja
>> > and broken an alloy aftermarket one.   One of the steelies I bent, we
>> were
>> > almost 60 miles from pavement and there was nothing around.   We
>> > straightened the rim with a rock and aired it up using our bicycle pump,
>> > with gasoline and a match to seat the bead....In Baja you may sit for
>> days
>> > on end until another vehicle comes along...often finding an appropriate
>> rim
>> > may involve long distances to help....I keep my rims in steel now.
>> >
>> > On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:43 AM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > > Yes I do deflate the tires when I do off road - usually I take out
>> 10psi
>> > > and 15psi on sand - in any case I leave a minimum 20psi. As Dennis
>> > > mentioned there's a risk of damage to tires specially on the side
>> wall if
>> > > the road has a lot sharp rocks such as the one from Ubehe Crater to
>> the
>> > > Race Track in Death Valley. I always carry a 12V air pump, off road or
>> > not.
>> > >
>> > > On Sun, Nov 16, 2014 at 7:26 AM, Dennis Haynes <
>> d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>> > > wrote:
>> > >
>> > > > Off roaders will air down the tires to improve traction and reduce
>> > > sinking
>> > > > on soft dirt, mud, and sand. As the pressure is lowered the contact
>> > patch
>> > > > increases. They will often air down low enough that the sidewalls
>> can
>> > > also
>> > > > provide a floatation effect, 12-16psi is common. The down side of
>> this
>> > is
>> > > > an increased chance of rolling the bead off the rim and having a
>> tire
>> > > > completely air out and hitting any type of sharp object can damage a
>> > tire
>> > > > internally. Note this approach is for low speed operation.
>> > > >
>> > > > You didn't say what tire you are using, size or type, If using a
>> > regular
>> > > > passenger tire you reach full capacity at ~35 psi. Above that you
>> are
>> > > going
>> > > > for handling or reduced rolling resistance.
>> > > >
>> > > > Dennis
>> > > >
>> > > > -----Original Message-----
>> > > > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> > Behalf
>> > > > Of Stan Shapiro
>> > > > Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2014 10:14 AM
>> > > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> > > > Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
>> > > >
>> > > > Another question on suspension.   I have a 90 Westy, 16 in wheels,
>> > > > Michelin tires, and Bilstein shocks from GoWesty.    It is terrible
>> on
>> > > > washboard roads.     I notice the 4 wheelers let air out of their
>> tires
>> > > > before going off road.    Does anyone have any experience in
>> letting a
>> > > > small amount of air out for a washboard road??    If so, how much do
>> > you
>> > > > let out?   Do you carry a 12 volt compressor to refill?
>> > > >
>> > > > Thanks
>> > > > Stan
>> > > > Idaho
>> > > >
>> > > > -----Original Message-----
>> > > > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
>> > Behalf
>> > > > Of Chris S.
>> > > > Sent: Saturday, November 15, 2014 2:58 PM
>> > > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> > > > Subject: Re: Suspension for Off Roading
>> > > >
>> > > > See Burley Motorsports' custom upper control arms that eliminate the
>> > > > finicky bushings. Also, for a good off road ride you may consider
>> > > > progressive long travel springs. I have Schwenk springs on my Syncro
>> > and
>> > > > they are wonderful.
>> > > >
>> > > > Chris.
>> > > >
>> > > > Wysłane z iPhone'a
>> > > >
>> > > > Dnia Nov 15, 2014 o godz. 14:47 Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
>> > > > napisał(a):
>> > > >
>> > > > > Hello:
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > > I thought about posting this on the Samba but you all seem a bit
>> more
>> > > > civil… and helpful.
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > > We are traveling full-time in a 1984 Westy we bought just months
>> > before
>> > > > leaving, and are about to end Month 16. Challenging, yes… and
>> perhaps
>> > > equal
>> > > > parts commendable and committable. But we are in for the long haul.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > I have had four alignments done in 12K miles. At first I thought
>> the
>> > > > mechanics weren't torquing the right upper control arm enough, as it
>> > > keeps
>> > > > coming loose and knocking toe way out… last time it was over AN INCH
>> > out,
>> > > > and now a few hundred miles later, it's out again and baking our new
>> > BFG
>> > > > ATs. Ugh.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > The easiest solution seems to be replacing the control arm bolts,
>> as
>> > I
>> > > > do not think Loctite will solve it in the proper way. But, if the
>> arms
>> > > need
>> > > > to come off anyway, and possibly new bushings are needed as well,
>> what
>> > > are
>> > > > my options for upgrading the suspension for constant dirt travel? I
>> > saw a
>> > > > gray panel Synchro at Buses by the Bridge in January with Fox shocks
>> > and
>> > > it
>> > > > looked like a great solution. I am willing to trade highway comfort
>> for
>> > > off
>> > > > road softness before parts start flying off at will.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > We hope to keep our Bus forever, and though we are short of funds
>> I
>> > do
>> > > > not necessarily want a quick fix. We have to rely on this Thing
>> (Ahem,
>> > > > sorry, Bus) for a long time and may take it around the globe. So
>> > > anything I
>> > > > can do for the long-term good is of prime interest, and getting to
>> > remote
>> > > > places is partly why we live in it.
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Also, if you know of anyone in So. Cal. or near Yuma capable of
>> this
>> > > > work (where we're wintering), I'm all ears. I found a cooperative
>> tire
>> > > > store owner in Pahrump who owns a few Vanagons, but have yet to ask
>> if
>> > > such
>> > > > an upgrade is within his realm.
>> > > > >
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Thanks in Advance,
>> > > > >
>> > > > > Eric
>> > > > > Eric Wunrow Pictures
>> > > > > 85 S Union Blvd, #Q123
>> > > > > Lakewood, CO 80228
>> > > > >
>> > > > > 303. 988. 8717
>> > > > > VW@EricWunrow.com
>> > > >
>> > >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Brett in Portland, OR
>> "Albert" '82 VanaFox I4 Riviera
>>
>
>

-- 
Brett in Portland, OR
"Albert" '82 VanaFox I4 Riviera