dismounting tire from wheel
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Buckeye, AZ
dismounting tire from wheel
Hey everyone. I just picked up a set of wheels on Ebay and was wondering if it is possible to remove the tire from the rim withouthaving access tothe machine the shops have? I'm sure there has to be some sort of tire iron out there for this purpose. The wheels that I bought have some Dunlop WWW on themand I'm not sure that I like that look on these rims and my bike. I bought the wheels for the rims not the tires. I'll likely havethe black walls from my Street Glide put on these rims.It would be nice to save some money and not have to pay the shop to dismount two sets of tires and mount/balance the black walls on the new rims. Anybody have any info on what I'm looking for? What is the risk/potential of damaging the rim by manually removing the tires? Thanks.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: dismounting tire from wheel
I change all my tires at home. I use a 29 buck Harbor Freight changer to break the bead and then spoon the tire off with a couple of 10 bucktire spoons. Rim protectors are only about 5 bucks.
You can also use a large C clamp or bench vise to break the bead.
You can also use a large C clamp or bench vise to break the bead.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,197
Likes: 708
From: (Toronto) Canada
RE: dismounting tire from wheel
The hard part is breaking the bead, not pulling off the rubber. I use a welders clamp to get the bead to seperate, than the rest is just like you used to do as a kid on your bicycle. Use some dish soap and water and it will pop right off and on.
Joe
Joe
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: dismounting tire from wheel
Nothing wrong with saving a buck and doing it yourself. I've ridden on hand mounted tires for nearly 20 years, racking up tens of thousands of miles on them. It's nice being able to do the job yourself, especially when you walk out on a Sunday afternoonand find your bike sitting in the garage with a flat from a nail. Just change it and go, instead of missing a day of riding while waiting to see a "pro."
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 0
From: South Bend, In
RE: dismounting tire from wheel
ORIGINAL: bountyhunter
Don't be so cheap...get your tires mounted and balanced by a pro![sm=goodidea.gif]
Don't be so cheap...get your tires mounted and balanced by a pro![sm=goodidea.gif]
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: dismounting tire from wheel
I throw a B.S. flag out here on the "dangerous" part. I've been mounting my tires using the sidewall dot to valve stem method for years. My tires last just as long as the next guys and my bikes ride just as smooth....BTW, I can qualify that reply because I ride several different bikes at work. They all get "pro" mounted and balanced tires. I can't tell any diffference in one out of the fleet or my own bike as far as smoothness of ride goes.
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 2
From: CANADA
RE: dismounting tire from wheel
WTF does your sidewall dot/valve stem "system" have to do with having a balanced tire? The answer...nothing. Next time you stop by a dealer, check how many rims do not have factory weights attached (very few). Try riding a bike at high speed with an imbalanced tire. Throw out your BS flag...just plain stupid...you've just been plain lucky! **** poor advice.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Buckeye, AZ
RE: dismounting tire from wheel
ORIGINAL: bountyhunter
Don't be so cheap...get your tires mounted and balanced by a pro![sm=goodidea.gif]
Don't be so cheap...get your tires mounted and balanced by a pro![sm=goodidea.gif]
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
RE: dismounting tire from wheel
ORIGINAL: bountyhunter
WTF does your sidewall dot/valve stem "system" have to do with having a balanced tire? The answer...nothing. Next time you stop by a dealer, check how many rims do not have factory weights attached (very few). Try riding a bike at high speed with an imbalanced tire. Throw out your BS flag...just plain stupid...you've just been plain lucky! **** poor advice.
WTF does your sidewall dot/valve stem "system" have to do with having a balanced tire? The answer...nothing. Next time you stop by a dealer, check how many rims do not have factory weights attached (very few). Try riding a bike at high speed with an imbalanced tire. Throw out your BS flag...just plain stupid...you've just been plain lucky! **** poor advice.
FYI, the dot indicates the "light" side of the tire, so you line it up with the valve stem to offset. http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/info...s.asp?id=7#tip
I mount my own and have NEVER had a problem at any speed. And I DO check the balance before I mount them back on the bike and they've always been fine. And before you jump me about not having a professional balancing machine, check around and see how the racers balance THEIR tires.