Simple question about tire changing
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
2016 Road Glide. I'm changing my back tire, installing an Avon. I like that I can examine everything and clean it up in that area as well.
My question is simple; do I need to put anything on the bead to keep it sealed? Will it seal as well as it always did before?
My question is simple; do I need to put anything on the bead to keep it sealed? Will it seal as well as it always did before?
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 87
From: Southern California
Getting it off was more than a bear, it was brutal. The next time I do a rear tire I will take a die grinder with a cutting wheel and go that route.
Other than that, I like getting into it and inspecting everything. Front tire next.
Last edited by Joe from So Cal; Dec 23, 2020 at 06:38 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
Bead sealer is a real product and does indeed serve a purpose. But with nice rims and a careful tire mounting, it really shouldnt be needed.
Tourer
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 462
Likes: 226
From: Northern Sierra Nevada Mountains, Californy
I took my SE Ultra rear wheel to our local Honda dealer ( No harley dealer within 40miles) it cost 35 dollars, Mounted, balance, old tire disposal, 1 hour wait.
Keep it simple
Keep it simple
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,613
Likes: 3,934
From: Near Yosemite
Yup, I have a motorcycle tire place literally 4.5 miles from my house in town. I take the new tires bought online and the unmounted old tires/wheel and drop the off. Go home and clean and inspect while they are off, pick them up when Donnie's done with them. $25 each mounted and balanced. I take the old tires with me and turn them in for free at "Tire Amnesty Day".
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 574
Likes: 156
From: Big Sky Country
The soapy water/lube is used to make it easier dismounting and mounting tires, not to seal bead. I've never heard of a "bead sealer" product--not to say it doesn't exist, but if something like that is necessary on your motorcycle, or any passenger vehicle for that matter, there's a problem with tire and/or rim because they are not designed to require any such thing and tire shops do not use it.
Many times lining up dot w/valve stem is good enough on a rear, but if there's no dot and/or you're fussy could use ride-on or dyna beads--both seem to work fine.
Most tire/motorcycle shops aren't terribly happy having people bring in stuff they purchased online to have installed (unless they don't sell tires I suppose), and will charge more to do so--off the bike I've been quoted $50-60 each vs $25-30 each if purchasing tires from them. Personally, I wouldn't bring in tires purchased elsewhere to have them installed unless I had no other choice, regardless of cost. Feels like a bit of a slap in the face to the local business, IMO.
Many times lining up dot w/valve stem is good enough on a rear, but if there's no dot and/or you're fussy could use ride-on or dyna beads--both seem to work fine.
Most tire/motorcycle shops aren't terribly happy having people bring in stuff they purchased online to have installed (unless they don't sell tires I suppose), and will charge more to do so--off the bike I've been quoted $50-60 each vs $25-30 each if purchasing tires from them. Personally, I wouldn't bring in tires purchased elsewhere to have them installed unless I had no other choice, regardless of cost. Feels like a bit of a slap in the face to the local business, IMO.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,613
Likes: 3,934
From: Near Yosemite
The soapy water/lube is used to make it easier dismounting and mounting tires, not to seal bead. I've never heard of a "bead sealer" product--not to say it doesn't exist, but if something like that is necessary on your motorcycle, or any passenger vehicle for that matter, there's a problem with tire and/or rim because they are not designed to require any such thing and tire shops do not use it.
Many times lining up dot w/valve stem is good enough on a rear, but if there's no dot and/or you're fussy could use ride-on or dyna beads--both seem to work fine.
Most tire/motorcycle shops aren't terribly happy having people bring in stuff they purchased online to have installed (unless they don't sell tires I suppose), and will charge more to do so--off the bike I've been quoted $50-60 each vs $25-30 each if purchasing tires from them. Personally, I wouldn't bring in tires purchased elsewhere to have them installed unless I had no other choice, regardless of cost. Feels like a bit of a slap in the face to the local business, IMO.
Many times lining up dot w/valve stem is good enough on a rear, but if there's no dot and/or you're fussy could use ride-on or dyna beads--both seem to work fine.
Most tire/motorcycle shops aren't terribly happy having people bring in stuff they purchased online to have installed (unless they don't sell tires I suppose), and will charge more to do so--off the bike I've been quoted $50-60 each vs $25-30 each if purchasing tires from them. Personally, I wouldn't bring in tires purchased elsewhere to have them installed unless I had no other choice, regardless of cost. Feels like a bit of a slap in the face to the local business, IMO.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,096
Likes: 51,355
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
The soapy water/lube is used to make it easier dismounting and mounting tires, not to seal bead. I've never heard of a "bead sealer" product--not to say it doesn't exist, but if something like that is necessary on your motorcycle, or any passenger vehicle for that matter, there's a problem with tire and/or rim because they are not designed to require any such thing and tire shops do not use it.
Many times lining up dot w/valve stem is good enough on a rear, but if there's no dot and/or you're fussy could use ride-on or dyna beads--both seem to work fine.
Most tire/motorcycle shops aren't terribly happy having people bring in stuff they purchased online to have installed (unless they don't sell tires I suppose), and will charge more to do so--off the bike I've been quoted $50-60 each vs $25-30 each if purchasing tires from them. Personally, I wouldn't bring in tires purchased elsewhere to have them installed unless I had no other choice, regardless of cost. Feels like a bit of a slap in the face to the local business, IMO.
Many times lining up dot w/valve stem is good enough on a rear, but if there's no dot and/or you're fussy could use ride-on or dyna beads--both seem to work fine.
Most tire/motorcycle shops aren't terribly happy having people bring in stuff they purchased online to have installed (unless they don't sell tires I suppose), and will charge more to do so--off the bike I've been quoted $50-60 each vs $25-30 each if purchasing tires from them. Personally, I wouldn't bring in tires purchased elsewhere to have them installed unless I had no other choice, regardless of cost. Feels like a bit of a slap in the face to the local business, IMO.