by bgsengine » Wed May 13, 2020 3:12 pm
"Natural side" meaning, unfold it but don't inflate, it'll be flat , the stem will want to point to one side or the other of the tube. As suggested before, however a bit of tire lube (specifically for tires, or baby powder) also helps the tube slide into place, but the natural side pointing straight at the valve stem hole in the rim tends to help the tube "stick flat" to that point as it is inflated.
- assuming you do them like I do and softly lock a pair of 4" vise grips around the stem just enough to hold the stem *ALMOST* tight to the hole and not slip back in, but still far out enough that when fully inflated, there'll be a bit of gap between vise grip jaws and the rim - if the gap isn't there, put a valve stem puller tool (usually a T-type core remover/re-threader tool) threaded on to the stem (where the cap threads on) before removing vise grips.. otherwise if the tube isnt installed right or something, the stem can "flip" right down that little rabbit hole and you'll never get it back without poking a hole in the tube to deflate.. - the core tool is also handy for maintaining the tube in place while rest of the tire is being worked on to the bead (I always make sure that the bead area over the valve stem is the last spot to work on - saves the "low" side of tire from pinching tube against the stem)
How poor are they who have not patience. What wound did ever heal, but by degrees? - Iago (Othello Act II, Scene 3)