---- Brett Ne <brettn777@GMAIL.COM> wrote: 
> Neat trick...just make sure that you're not smoking the next time you let
> air out of that tire!

I think the initial flare up would exhaust the gasoline through combustion.  But what do I know?  mcneely

> 
> 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

--
David McNeely