Does anyone do this themselves? How difficult is it and does it require specialized tools? I've been told that a tire change is $300! I have an 07 Ultra with cast wheels. The Service Manual illustrates the use of tire irons. If I can't change the tire myself I've been thinking of removing / installing the wheelto save on labor costs. The threads I've read seem to indicate that 10,000 miles is all a person could reasonably expect out of the rear tire. Thanks in advance.
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If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be - Yogi Berra
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I have replaced 2 rear tires on my ultra at the dealer. Both times I also needed back brakes. Cost was a little over $300 each time. 12,000 miles each time. I could do it myself but do not know how to balance the wheel. You can use a large C clamp to break the bead. The rest is pretty easy. Make usre you put the wheel on in the correct direction. There is an arrow that shows the rotation direction. Maybe someone else has an idea as to how to balance.
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Jeff, Retired Army, New job won't let me shoot at anybody
09 Ultra, Flame Blue, can't get the grin off
06 EG Ultra, PCIII, SEII's and AC, sold sniff
Let a motorcycle shop do it....You can butcher a cast rim too easily to risk trying to do it yourself. A shop will have the proper bead breaker and protective tooling to prevent any damage to your wheel and balance it too. You could remove and reinstall it yourself to save on that end. I can do it myself because I bought a tire changing machine - without which, I would definitely take them to the Harley dealer or other motorcycle shop so equipt.
I have replaced 2 rear tires on my ultra at the dealer. Both times I also needed back brakes. Cost was a little over $300 each time. 12,000 miles each time. I could do it myself but do not know how to balance the wheel. You can use a large C clamp to break the bead. The rest is pretty easy. Make usre you put the wheel on in the correct direction. There is an arrow that shows the rotation direction. Maybe someone else has an idea as to how to balance.
Was there any work done on the rear rotor when the pads were replaced? Has anyone figured out why motorcycle tires wear so fast under fair-wear-n-tear conditions. I can handle being called cheap but 12K out of a $150 tire (+labour)seems a bit exorbitant. Thanks for the gen.
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If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be - Yogi Berra
Let a motorcycle shop do it....You can butcher a cast rim too easily to risk trying to do it yourself. A shop will have the proper bead breaker and protective tooling to prevent any damage to your wheel and balance it too. You could remove and reinstall it yourself to save on that end. I can do it myself because I bought a tire changing machine - without which, I would definitely take them to the Harley dealer or other motorcycle shop so equipt.
A tire changing machine??? What does this beast look like ........... cost(?)..............could you provide a link(s)? Thanks.
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If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be - Yogi Berra
I do it myself by hand. I bought a Harbor Freight portable tire changer just to get the bead breaker. It was 30 bucks. Tire irons and rim protectors set me back another 30 or so. I have changed a pile of tires and never damaged a rim. You can do it and not damage a rim if you are careful. People have been doing it for decades.
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2000 Road King Classic. Andrews 26G cams, SE Stage I, DFO, V&H True Duals with Samson Fishtail Mufflers.
I always change my own. Got a bead breaker from J&P for $36.99. No dealer or Indy is going to care more than you about having it done right and making sure no damage is done to your wheels. Maybe I've been lucky, but never have bothered with balancing and never have had any handling issues, but if you want to have them balanced, I suppose you could mount the tires and then bring them somewhere for balancing.
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2003 FXD; 2004 Ultra; 2006 883L (the girlfriends)
I do it myself by hand. I bought a Harbor Freight portable tire changer just to get the bead breaker. It was 30 bucks. Tire irons and rim protectors set me back another 30 or so. I have changed a pile of tires and never damaged a rim. You can do it and not damage a rim if you are careful. People have been doing it for decades.
I assume that's Harbor Freight's tirechanger with motorcycle attachment? Can you give me the details of what (brand name - vendor) you use regarding tire irons and rim protectors? How about balancing? Seems to me after (2) tire changes this idea would pay for itself (?) ..........or am I being overly optimistic. I recently got back into motorcycles ......... years ago I regularly changed (tubes) tires on Japanese bikes. Thanks for the gen.
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If the world were perfect, it wouldn't be - Yogi Berra
I just bought the changer for the bead breaker. I did not get the motorcycle wheel attachment. I do my changing on a piece of thick carpet.
I got the spoons and protectors at a swapmeet. However, places like J&P have them for a reasonable price.
Balancing? I do not balance. I just mount the sidewall dot in line with the valve stem. I have never had problems using this method. I have been riding on hand mounted tires for 15+ years. My tires last as long as the next guys and my bikes ride just as smooth. If I ever do get a "vibrator", pulling the wheel and getting the tire balanced will be simple enough.
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2000 Road King Classic. Andrews 26G cams, SE Stage I, DFO, V&H True Duals with Samson Fishtail Mufflers.
Do-it-yourself tire change
