SYM Owners Forum
Scooter Models => Symba => Topic started by: bpadar on May 10, 2010, 07:18:23 AM
-
Does anyone have any advice or pictures on how to change both the rear and front tire on a Symba? A youtube clip would be the best. I've always owned Vespa P-Series, and seemed to get lots of rear flats. They were very easy to replace. I'm clueless with the Symba.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
-
Do you have to do it because they're flat or just because you want to know how to? I know all about flats from my long deceased Aero 50. I t had almost 50K on it when it died and also had tubed tires. I'd guess I did no less than 100 repairs, a ton of tires and who knows how many inner tubes. It sucked having to carry around all the changing equipment in a trunk the size of a lunchbox too ;D
Now don't get me wrong as I have nothing against Vespa, but any two wheeler that has a spare tire on it that isn't just for show, is an experience I'd rather not relive ;) Hopefully the Symba doesn't have an issue, because I haven't heard of any SYM with one and I have over 5700 on my HD with 40-50% left and no issues.
Jeff
-
No, I don't have a flat (yet). I just want to be prepared and learn how to do it by myself.
-
Thread bump!
40 miles and already a pinch flat.
Does anyone have a manual or instructions on this?
Thanks!
-
Instructions for wheel and tire removal are included in this service manual. Pretty much everything else you'd need to know about servicing a Symba is in there, too. I've posted it for download here: http://www.filedropper.com/symbaservice (http://www.filedropper.com/symbaservice)
It's a PDF file, about 20MB.
-
Fantastic! Just what I needed. Based on underboning's massive journey and Binh's ride to Alaska the Symba to me represents the ultimate do-all-maintenance-yourself bike.
Thank you.
-
I did have a rear flat.
It wasn't pretty.
I would love to have that file Morgan but the ling did not work for me. Any suggestion?
Thanks!
-
That file hosting site must drop stuff pretty quickly. I've uploaded it a few other places. Hopefully they'll last a little longer. The more folks that have the service manual, the better.
http://www.filefactory.com/file/25gmoi17xhrj/n/Symba_Service_pdf (http://www.filefactory.com/file/25gmoi17xhrj/n/Symba_Service_pdf)
http://www.datafilehost.com/download-1d9395e5.html (http://www.datafilehost.com/download-1d9395e5.html)
http://www65.zippyshare.com/v/79754700/file.html (http://www65.zippyshare.com/v/79754700/file.html)
-
Had my first flat, rear tire. I have never had a flat before so I didn't pull over as fast as I should have. No problems, just a little fishtailing before I realized something was wrong. Just an FYI. I have 1200 miles on the bike. I will be using the tute from the manual. Thanks for the post.
-
I had several flats on my Symba in the first 2000 miles (5700 miles currently). Since changing out the tires for Michelin Gazelles and the tubes for Kenda Tuff Tubes, no more flats. Its good to know how to fix a flat; but much better not to have them.
-
That's good to know. I was going to order a michelin gazelle and a Kenda tuff tube but motorcycle superstore is out of the correct size tire. So I am going to stick with the kenda tuff tubes and original tire until my next flat (I will order the tire when it is restocked). Motorcycle superstore is local to me so I don't really want to order anywhere else.
-
Goodbella,
What size Kenda Tuff Tubes did you get to go with the stock tires? How did they work for you?
-
I can't remember. I looked for the email invoice and then remembered that I ordered it at the store. Sorry.
Shannon
-
My husband has been riding it to work and he got a rear flat. I had a Tuff tube on it so I'm not sure what he hit or ran over. I'll update you after I get it off.
-
It was a torn valve stem(I must have installed it incorrectly). I had a tuff tube on hand and it was easy enough to replace. Just an FYI, I have the gazelles, 17x 2.5 both front and rear. Kenda Tuff tubes size 70/100-17, 2.25/2.5.
I hope that this helps someone.
-
Here you go...Compliments of UDERBONING.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lOrN95kziM&list=FLyoszlqWGGyps_Wc2aYdGYQ&feature=player_detailpage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lOrN95kziM&list=FLyoszlqWGGyps_Wc2aYdGYQ&feature=player_detailpage)
-
I forgot to give you paert one first...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vPoptrB_dRg&list=FLyoszlqWGGyps_Wc2aYdGYQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=vPoptrB_dRg&list=FLyoszlqWGGyps_Wc2aYdGYQ)
-
Hi, I have got a flat rear tire today, but I'm confused, even after reading through almost all posts concerning flat tires, I still don't know if it the inner tube that needs change or both tire and tube.
My Symba has over 1300 miles on it, and the tire looks good and pretty new to me.
The SYM distributor is too far away for me to bring my Symba for them to replace it. There is a scooter place in my city, where they fix motorcycles too, but when I called, they told me they don't service Symba (not sure if it is true as I sent there for oil change before) I guess maybe they don't do service for Symba tire. Anyhow, I am planning to order tire or inner tube (or both) online first, and approach them again for labor work.
-
Hi Goodbella, do you have the part number of your Kenda Tuff tubes size 70/100-17, 2.25/2.5?
I dont see size for "70/100-17, 2.25/2.5 listed together for Tuff Tube on Motorcycle Superstore. Under the Size options, It has only
2.50/2.75-10
2.50-12
..
..
70/100-17
and so on
Do I choose "70/100-17?
-
The first number (70) means 70mm width. There's 25.4mm in an inch and doing the math 70mm = 2.76 inches. Sounds like the correct size tube.
-
Yes, you want size 70/100-17 in the Kenda Tuff tubes. They'll say size 2.25/2.5-17 on the box. I've purchased those for my Symba, and they fit fine.
If you tire is good, then you only need to change out the tube, which only requires taking one side of the tire off of the rim. Before you put the new tube in, though, make sure you check both the inside and outside of tire in case something punctured it. Run a cloth or something along the inside of the tire so anything sharp will catch that instead of your hand.
Changing the tubes and tires takes practice and patience. What's nice about the Symba is that you can work the tire most of the way on by hand, which reduces the risk of pinching the new tube (order an extra tube just in case). Before putting in the new tube, inflate it a little to give it some shape, that will help. A good rule of thumb is to then balance it on your finger - you want enough air so that your finger will rest about halfway up the tube, if that makes sense.
It seems odd to me that your local scooter place wouldn't change the tube at all. If you take them the wheel and the new tube, it should be a pretty easy job for them. Unless, maybe, they don't do tubed tires?
-
Hi Beltho, thank you very much!!!!
I see that Amazon has it too and shipping would be faster with ground. It says "Kenda Tuff Tube 70/100-17 Tr-4". Could you kindly confirm it is the right one.
https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Tuff-Tube-100-17-Tr-4/dp/B002GJNTB0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497504887&sr=8-2&keywords=kenda+tuff+tube (https://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Tuff-Tube-100-17-Tr-4/dp/B002GJNTB0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1497504887&sr=8-2&keywords=kenda+tuff+tube)
Changing the tire myself really is the last resort for me. I watched the youtube video listed in this thread, it is just too daunting. So this morning I paid a visit to the scooter place, and was told that they can't service it anymore because they have become the sole distributor for Lance scooter and the contract prevents them serving other brands, even if it is just labor work. Disappointed, I approached the mechanic who was working at the parking lot of the store if he does side job. He told me if people ask he would do it. What a relief!
-
That certainly looks to be the correct tube. I'm glad that you found someone willing to put in the new tube. It's strange to me that they won't work on SYMs when they are a Lance dealer - SYM builds the Lance scooters, as I understand it.
The tire changing process can be a little daunting at first; it was for me. Watching a video does help and, like I said, practice does too. :-) I recently had to put a new rear tire on my Symba, plus I had to change both tires on a Honda CT I'm working on, so I'm definitely getting some practice in!
-
So trying to get the inner tube has been a very frustrating bumpy ride. I bought the "70/100-17" one on Amazon but the shipping gone wrong it arrived but USPS was unable to deliver (likely due to the wrong address the sender entered) and was sent back to sender.
Today, I tried to purchase it on Ebay. Asked the question whether the size is for "for size 2.25/2.5-17".
Seller said "70/100 converts to 2.75/3.00. If you need 2.25/2.50 you need size 60/100".
Now I am completely at a loss. Since the original SYM tire is still in good condition (less than 1500 miles on it) I intend not to change the tire but the inner tube only. According to the Owner's Manual, the tire is "2.50 - 17 -38L", which correct size should I get?
-
I just bought a 2010 Symba and first on my list were oil change and rear tire change.I want to share tips for rear tire change .If you work alone..get a foot long 3-4 in thick board of wood for the center stand so the tire clears the rear...secure the bike to this wood with straps or hooks so it doesnt fall to its side.I also locked the front brake w/ a cord for safety.Fill a squirt bottle w/ water & dishsoap solution.use liberally as lube when dismounting tire.Use tirespoons an inch longer than the spokes so you can tuck this in the drum. I re- used the tube, but made sure the rim strips are ok.then i applied talcum powder& inflated a little to avoid pinching.Now is a good time to inspect cush dampers and brake shoes & grease axle.I did not care to balance(40mph?) but made sure the tire rotation mounted correctly.