changing your own tire

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Oct 30, 2008 | 07:02 PM

#21

powaypete

Road Master

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 892

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From: San Diego (Poway), CA

http://users.net1plus.com/holbrook/tireeqpt.htm

Oct 31, 2008 | 07:20 AM

#22

ngoti8tor

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 2,206

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From:

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotrod351

has any one tried changing the rear tire on the factory harley mag, 16 inch. just wondered how hard it is to do yourself.

It's not worth the aggrevation if you have expensive wheels. One nick, and you'll be kickin yourself!

Oct 31, 2008 | 09:36 AM

#23

megawatt

Road Warrior

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,286

Likes: 64

From: SoCal

powaypete,
I read that article, or one like it, a long time ago and promptly forgot all about it.
Great ideas.

Oct 31, 2008 | 12:04 PM

#24

geedee

Advanced

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 85

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From:

Have removed the wheels, but won't mess with the tires....Leave it to the shops...

Oct 31, 2008 | 07:23 PM

#25

CurlMan

Intermediate

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

From: Rural Northern Kentucky

I change the tires on my Classic and yes it's sometimes hard to break the bead but they have a manual bead breaker for bike tires that places like JP etc carry. Lately I've been removing the wheels and taking the tire to a Bud that has a shop and slip him a 20 and he dismounts the old and mounts the new. The balance is no issue just make sure you align the balance dot with the valve stem and I've never had a problem.Even when I slip my Bud the 20 I'm still saving a bundle by doing it my self and you can check your bearings, brakes etc. when you pull the wheel.

Nov 7, 2008 | 01:16 PM

#26

Kramer Krazy

Intermediate

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 48

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by CurlMan

The balance is no issue just make sure you align the balance dot with the valve stem and I've never had a problem.

YOU may not have had a problem that you are aware of, but this is not good information to be spreading around. The heaviest spot is NOT always where your valve stem is. I've balanced several rims without a tire mounted, and I've found MANY rims where the heaviest spot has been dramatically different than the "stem theory". Also, aligning the dot on the tire with the heaviest spot of the wheel does not mean that the wheel will be balanced. The difference between the rim and the dot may still result in more weight being needed somewhere on the rim......now, whether or not a person views it necessary that a wheel assembly needs to be balanced is a different story entirely.

Nov 7, 2008 | 03:05 PM

#27

t150vej

HDF Community Team

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 5,419

Likes: 2,621

From: NC USA

I have changed every tire on every bike I've owned since '73. I did use weights one time with a K91 Dunlop on a spoked wheel circa 1976. I've worn out a lot of tires in my riding life and have yet to balance, or even wished I'd balanced one. I AM neurotic about pressure though - check them every week, regardless.

And for my last 2 cents... (87 FLT) I go approx. 36,000/14,000 miles, front/rear.

Nov 8, 2008 | 11:50 AM

#28

hotrod351

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 1,569

Likes: 12

From: Arizona

well like i said, i tried breaking down the rear mag, in a big vise, without success. now the front is a spoke, with a tube. im figuring that would be easier to pop off the bead.

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Nov 8, 2008 | 06:47 PM

#29

srhoads

Stage II

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

From:

tire change

i take mine off......take it to the tire shop....$14 to remove/install the new..the tire changers now do the harley mags in a snap....and i always use dynabeads to balance....is a walk in the park.......