Do you change your own tires?
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Minnetonka, MN
Do you change your own tires?
Hey everyone - Looking at the logistics behind doing my own tire changes. I have found that the dealers want LOTS of money to change tires, so I figured that money could go toward a tire changer that will last me many years to come. I have a couple questions for the pros:
1) What brand tire changer do you use, if any?
2) What road blocks did you run into when you first started changing your own tires?
3) What advice would you give to a newbie? I'm not mechanically dumb, just haven't done motorcycle tires.
Thanks for any info you may have.
1) What brand tire changer do you use, if any?
2) What road blocks did you run into when you first started changing your own tires?
3) What advice would you give to a newbie? I'm not mechanically dumb, just haven't done motorcycle tires.
Thanks for any info you may have.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 33
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From: Cleveland, Oh
Last year I needed a new back tire and someone turned me onto shadetree powersports. I just had to take my wheel off and bring it up there, they mount and balance it. They have a store somewhere in MN also. I paid less than half of what harley and the indys wanted for the exact same tire.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 48
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Bought a used Coats manual tire changer and wheel balancing machine with a few buddies,ended up with about 80 bucks in it each.I've changed and balanced the tires on my bikes with no problems.It's all ready paid for it's self in one season.Lots of video on the net showing how to do the changing and balancing.
Macfhionghuin
Macfhionghuin
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,378
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From: Macon, GA USA
Been changing my own tires for at least 35 years or more. I use the stand I made (see pictures below) and tire spoons using rim protectors. I do now have a bead breaker do to most wheels being aluminum now. But for years I use to break the bead with tire spoons. I use short spoons as if you need more leverage then short spoons you are doing something wrong. The long bar with tape on it in the picture I use once I have one side off I can use it and a rubber hammer to get the other side off.
Then I have a Rowe wheel truing stand that all so has a accessory to static balance them. I had a shop at one time for over 13 years and changed many a tire this way. I have worked in other shops with tire machines and can change one by hand all most as fast as a machine but the machine is easier. I have all so check wheels I have balanced on my static balancer on spin balancer and they where good. Yes it takes a little more time on the static balancer but works well.
Main thing when taking one off or on is to make sure other then the part you are putting on or taking off the rest of the tire is down in the middle of the wheel at the smallest diameter.
Then I have a Rowe wheel truing stand that all so has a accessory to static balance them. I had a shop at one time for over 13 years and changed many a tire this way. I have worked in other shops with tire machines and can change one by hand all most as fast as a machine but the machine is easier. I have all so check wheels I have balanced on my static balancer on spin balancer and they where good. Yes it takes a little more time on the static balancer but works well.
Main thing when taking one off or on is to make sure other then the part you are putting on or taking off the rest of the tire is down in the middle of the wheel at the smallest diameter.
Last edited by 46u; Apr 19, 2011 at 04:39 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Vermont
Looks a lot like mine! Built a nifty bead breaker too. Pics attached. I use a noscuff tire tool as well.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 669
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From: Princeton, Texas
Me and 3 other buddies went in and purchased the Nu -Mar or No - Mar not sure of correct spelling, anyway it is a pretty slick tire changing machine and it works well. We saw one at the International Bike Show when it hit Dallas 3 years ago. It comes with a tire balancer as well. It was around $700.00 as I recall.
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 21
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From: South Jersey
Before I bought a bead breaker I used a 2x6 to break the beads on my street bike tires. I would place about a 3-4ft long piece on the tire and drive my truck up it as a buddy stood on the other side of the tire to keep it from flipping. I also kept two 2x4s on the underside of the rim to keep it from scraping the pavement. It would take a couple tries to break the bead but it was a cheap option.
Now I use a US General bead breaker that i picked up from harbor freight for $40 and it works like a charm.
After I break the bead I use tire spoons, rim protectors, and pledge to pop the old tire off and get the new one on.
Than for the balancing part I use a no-mar balancer.
Now I use a US General bead breaker that i picked up from harbor freight for $40 and it works like a charm.
After I break the bead I use tire spoons, rim protectors, and pledge to pop the old tire off and get the new one on.
Than for the balancing part I use a no-mar balancer.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 374
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From: SE WI
Local Indy charges $35 for dismount/mount/balance.
I can do it with $18 in spoons and some time. Since my XR eats rear tires every 3K miles or so, I flop my own tires. I balance with a bar on some jackstands, but will be going with dynabeads next time.
I can do it with $18 in spoons and some time. Since my XR eats rear tires every 3K miles or so, I flop my own tires. I balance with a bar on some jackstands, but will be going with dynabeads next time.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Minnetonka, MN