Changing tires (DIY)
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 922
Likes: 898
From: Upstate NY
Are you guys using an old school bubble level to balance them? I changed tires all thru college so Im no stranger to tire lube and breaking beads, but balancing concerns me.
And, just so I can say I added to this thread, make sure you remove the valve core when inflating and seating tubeless rims. Makes the job go a hell of a lot faster.
And, just so I can say I added to this thread, make sure you remove the valve core when inflating and seating tubeless rims. Makes the job go a hell of a lot faster.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
Are you guys using an old school bubble level to balance them? I changed tires all thru college so Im no stranger to tire lube and breaking beads, but balancing concerns me.
And, just so I can say I added to this thread, make sure you remove the valve core when inflating and seating tubeless rims. Makes the job go a hell of a lot faster.
And, just so I can say I added to this thread, make sure you remove the valve core when inflating and seating tubeless rims. Makes the job go a hell of a lot faster.
Last edited by dawg; Apr 12, 2019 at 09:32 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 304
From: mid Michigan
I been doing it a while. Use the board & bumber method to brake seal. Just found something I like is spray on wax for tire lube my rear tire aired up instantly. It's nice to take the time to polish the rims inside and out, just use Scotch Brite red on the inside, never have leaks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 28,520
Likes: 3,953
From: Vermont
Ive always opened the bag and poured them in before seating the bead. You dont open the bag and just throw them in? You can also reuse the beads, easy to roll the tire with a piece of paper inside to collect the old beads should you have forgotten to purchase new beads!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 680
Likes: 224
From: Buhl, Idaho
tire mounting
I put my own tires on the Limited a couple years ago- it wasn't all that hard. Put in the T stems for my FOBO TPMS, and used RideOn for balancing. I also replaced my brake pads at the same time, front and rear.
I'd do it again- I had to spend maybe $50 on the tire irons, rim protectors, etc........ But figure not paying HD to do the job more than offset the cost of the tools. Not to mention that I got tires I like better than what I'd have got from the HD dealer- we don't have many independent mc shops around here that I know of, and from what I've heard, many shops won't install customer supplied tires.
I'd do it again- I had to spend maybe $50 on the tire irons, rim protectors, etc........ But figure not paying HD to do the job more than offset the cost of the tools. Not to mention that I got tires I like better than what I'd have got from the HD dealer- we don't have many independent mc shops around here that I know of, and from what I've heard, many shops won't install customer supplied tires.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8,001
Likes: 6,901
From: NC
Something I was shown years ago. Remove tire from rim, remove all weights clean wheel, check bearings, the balance rim without tire. Mount tire ensuring to line up valve stem and the dot on the tire. Running Metzler and Dunlop tires, I rarely add more weights, but sometime have to adjust the seating of the tire to move the dot an inch or two around the valve stem.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 340
Likes: 21
From: NashVegas
I agree with most of the above recommendations. I initially bought a kit with two tire irons and it didnt take long to realize that having a third iron makes the job a whole lot easier.
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 457
Yes, three tire irons is a must.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,172
Likes: 709
From: Indianapolis
11. Clean all the old rubber off the bead surface before mounting a new tire.