Instructions for removal and refitting tyres on Avon safety wheels

[Kevin H]

I went to get the tyres taken off my Avon Safety Wheels so that I could get the wheels refurbished . I found it very difficult to find anyone who could take the tyres off for me because they didn't know how to deal with the safety bands. Even the Melbourne agents for Avon said they would almost certainly destroy the tyres getting them off. They had only seen Avon Safety wheels once before on a 412 and the tyre fitter told me he ended up cutting the last few tyres off the rims! The problem was they were trying to remove the tyres without first removing the safety bands.

Fortunately, I found a patient tyre fitter who was prepared to actually have a go. And with some instructions from another Bristol owner we got the first tyre off in ten minutes. Having worked out what to do it was easy to get the tyres off the other wheels without damaging the tyres. Given the trouble I had and the horror stories I heard about uninformed tyre fitters trying to get tyres off these wheels, I thought it might be useful for other owners of Avon Safety wheels to see what they look like under the tyre.

I have included some photos below and basic instructions on how to take the safety band and tyre off.

The first photo shows what the bare rim looks like with the safety band in place.

The second photo shows the screw which releases the band allowing it to be removed from the wheel rim.

The third photo shows the small well beneath the safety band. Once the safety band has been removed the tyre can be taken of the rim.

Instructions for removal and refitting tyres on Avon safety wheels.

Normal pneumatic assisted tyre fitting tools can be used and the process can be as per any other wheel and tyre, once the safety band had been removed !

After deflating the tyre the fitter should first break the bead of the tyre on the outside rim then a second person is required to pull and hold the tyre back to give access to the phillips head screw which releases the safety band. Although the screw does not need to be removed completely it is easier to remove the band if you do. It is also easier to put the band back on with the screw back in place although only with a few turns of the thread into the nut.

When putting a tyre back on one of the Avon Safety Wheels, the tyre should be put onto the wheel in the normal way before fitting the safety band. Once the tyre is on the rim a second person needs to pull and hold the tyre down so that the safety band can be replaced and the securing screw tightened.

The last two photos show the restoration results

[peasantslife]

Bit of a thread resurection, Is anyone making the well band? I've just refurbed a set of Avon wheels, but of course they came minus the band. (If they are not on the shelf somewhere I'll make a batch for myself)

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by peasantslife

Bit of a thread resurection, Is anyone making the well band? I've just refurbed a set of Avon wheels, but of course they came minus the band. (If they are not on the shelf somewhere I'll make a batch for myself)

Bristol used to have some secondhand spare bands. Who knows where any remaining bands ended up. Never heard of anyone making them. Demand could be very limited!

[peter dowdle]

Kevin who restored your wheels . They look fantastic?

[Kevin H]

Originally Posted by peter dowdle

Kevin who restored your wheels . They look fantastic?

They were done by a body shop in Bundoora, Victoria whom I was introduced to by a guy who was rebuilding my engine. It was many years ago and I can't recall the name. I will look through my paperwork and hopefully find a receipt.

However, I would have thought any body shop who does restoration work could potentially do a similar job.

I should add that the wheel nuts (which were in a terrible state) were done by someone else. They were nickel plated and came up very well, but there is signs of rust on them now.