I just purchased a ratchet strap to help me get the bead set on my rear tire. Just for grins, I took a look at the instructions and found this little gem:
WARNING: This product and/or packaging contains one or more chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm, Wash hands after handling.
Seriously?
I really wasn't planning on eating the clam-shell packaging (although there was no explicit warning against doing so: an obvious oversight) and I don't know, but the only connection I can make between a ratchet strap and reproductive harm is in somehow managing to get one's hydraulics tangled up in its embrace.
[NSR] Now I've really, honestly, truly seen everything.....
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- charlie55
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- ender07
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It's labeled like that for California's Prop 65 aka Cancer Warning labels law....like you said though unless you plan on eating it you should be fine.
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- agrogod
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If it comes with that clear plastic packaging that most things come in these days thats what the warnings are most likely for. Petroleum by products suspended in the plastic can be released at high temperatures, this can contaminate your skin through contact. The likelihood of you getting cancer from it is slim, but you know Cali., overreact to everything get a buck for your effort.
Now of course if you do happen to make it your next love endevour, post that on YouTube!
Now of course if you do happen to make it your next love endevour, post that on YouTube!

"When your mouth is yapping your arms stop flapping, get to work" - a quote from my father R.I.P..
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
always start with the simple, it may end up costing you little to nothing
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Re: [NSR] Now I've really, honestly, truly seen everything..
Care to elaborate on your ratchet strap bead setting method?charlie55 wrote:I just purchased a ratchet strap to help me get the bead set on my rear tire.
- Syd
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In the old days auto tire supply companies had a device the you would wrap around the tire tread, snug up tight, then fill with compressed air. Filling would cause the strappy thing to tighten even more, which would cause the beads to spread out, making the bead easier to seat.
Of course, some starting fluid and a match would do the same thing.
Of course, some starting fluid and a match would do the same thing.

The majority is always sane - Nessus
- charlie55
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Dammit Syd. I had to stop surfing and do some actual work for just 5 minutes, and in you jump.
Syd's description is correct. You basically wrap the strap around the circumference of the tire and tighten it up so that the tire's beads are flush against the rim. Then a few shots of air and they pop right into place.
To make things easier, you remove the valve stem's core so as to not restrict the flow of air, and always lube the beads with soap and water (or some store-bought stuff).
The Helix's back tire is a wide 10-incher and a real bear to seat. Took me a couple of 80 psi bursts to get it to behave. And that's another reason for removing the valve core - it allows the high pressure air to exit the tire quickly - less change of blowing it and yourself up.
As to the starting fluid approach, I usually save the stuff and use it to celebrate after successfully installing a tire: sniff, sniff, huff, huff, whoopee!

Syd's description is correct. You basically wrap the strap around the circumference of the tire and tighten it up so that the tire's beads are flush against the rim. Then a few shots of air and they pop right into place.
To make things easier, you remove the valve stem's core so as to not restrict the flow of air, and always lube the beads with soap and water (or some store-bought stuff).
The Helix's back tire is a wide 10-incher and a real bear to seat. Took me a couple of 80 psi bursts to get it to behave. And that's another reason for removing the valve core - it allows the high pressure air to exit the tire quickly - less change of blowing it and yourself up.
As to the starting fluid approach, I usually save the stuff and use it to celebrate after successfully installing a tire: sniff, sniff, huff, huff, whoopee!