Do-it-yourself tire change
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: North East
Do-it-yourself tire change
Does anyone do this themselves? How difficult is it and does it require specialized tools? I've been told that a tire change is $300! I have an 07 Ultra with cast wheels. The Service Manual illustrates the use of tire irons. If I can't change the tire myself I've been thinking of removing / installing the wheelto save on labor costs. The threads I've read seem to indicate that 10,000 miles is all a person could reasonably expect out of the rear tire. Thanks in advance.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,176
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From: Riverview, FL
RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
I have replaced 2 rear tires on my ultra at the dealer. Both times I also needed back brakes. Cost was a little over $300 each time. 12,000 miles each time. I could do it myself but do not know how to balance the wheel. You can use a large C clamp to break the bead. The rest is pretty easy. Make usre you put the wheel on in the correct direction. There is an arrow that shows the rotation direction. Maybe someone else has an idea as to how to balance.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 241
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From:
RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
Let a motorcycle shop do it....You can butcher a cast rim too easily to risk trying to do it yourself. A shop will have the proper bead breaker and protective tooling to prevent any damage to your wheel and balance it too. You could remove and reinstall it yourself to save on that end. I can do it myself because I bought a tire changing machine - without which, I would definitely take them to the Harley dealer or other motorcycle shop so equipt.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: North East
RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
ORIGINAL: jkoch06ultra
I have replaced 2 rear tires on my ultra at the dealer. Both times I also needed back brakes. Cost was a little over $300 each time. 12,000 miles each time. I could do it myself but do not know how to balance the wheel. You can use a large C clamp to break the bead. The rest is pretty easy. Make usre you put the wheel on in the correct direction. There is an arrow that shows the rotation direction. Maybe someone else has an idea as to how to balance.
I have replaced 2 rear tires on my ultra at the dealer. Both times I also needed back brakes. Cost was a little over $300 each time. 12,000 miles each time. I could do it myself but do not know how to balance the wheel. You can use a large C clamp to break the bead. The rest is pretty easy. Make usre you put the wheel on in the correct direction. There is an arrow that shows the rotation direction. Maybe someone else has an idea as to how to balance.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: North East
RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
ORIGINAL: 08CVORK
Let a motorcycle shop do it....You can butcher a cast rim too easily to risk trying to do it yourself. A shop will have the proper bead breaker and protective tooling to prevent any damage to your wheel and balance it too. You could remove and reinstall it yourself to save on that end. I can do it myself because I bought a tire changing machine - without which, I would definitely take them to the Harley dealer or other motorcycle shop so equipt.
Let a motorcycle shop do it....You can butcher a cast rim too easily to risk trying to do it yourself. A shop will have the proper bead breaker and protective tooling to prevent any damage to your wheel and balance it too. You could remove and reinstall it yourself to save on that end. I can do it myself because I bought a tire changing machine - without which, I would definitely take them to the Harley dealer or other motorcycle shop so equipt.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
I do it myself by hand. I bought a Harbor Freight portable tire changer just to get the bead breaker. It was 30 bucks. Tire irons and rim protectors set me back another 30 or so. I have changed a pile of tires and never damaged a rim. You can do it and not damage a rim if you are careful. People have been doing it for decades.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
The machine is the one that harbor Freight sells with the add-on for motorcycle rims.
Yes, anyone can change a motorcycle tire, anyone can lace a wheel, anyone can rebuild their Harley engine too!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42927
Yes, anyone can change a motorcycle tire, anyone can lace a wheel, anyone can rebuild their Harley engine too!
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=42927
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Lockport Township, IL
RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
I always change my own. Got a bead breaker from J&P for $36.99. No dealer or Indy is going to care more than you about having it done right and making sure no damage is done to your wheels. Maybe I've been lucky, but never have bothered with balancing and never have had any handling issues, but if you want to have them balanced, I suppose you could mount the tires and then bring them somewhere for balancing.
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: North East
RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
ORIGINAL: xxxflhrci
I do it myself by hand. I bought a Harbor Freight portable tire changer just to get the bead breaker. It was 30 bucks. Tire irons and rim protectors set me back another 30 or so. I have changed a pile of tires and never damaged a rim. You can do it and not damage a rim if you are careful. People have been doing it for decades.
I do it myself by hand. I bought a Harbor Freight portable tire changer just to get the bead breaker. It was 30 bucks. Tire irons and rim protectors set me back another 30 or so. I have changed a pile of tires and never damaged a rim. You can do it and not damage a rim if you are careful. People have been doing it for decades.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
RE: Do-it-yourself tire change
I just bought the changer for the bead breaker. I did not get the motorcycle wheel attachment. I do my changing on a piece of thick carpet.
I got the spoons and protectors at a swapmeet. However, places like J&P have them for a reasonable price.
Balancing? I do not balance. I just mount the sidewall dot in line with the valve stem. I have never had problems using this method. I have been riding on hand mounted tires for 15+ years. My tires last as long as the next guys and my bikes ride just as smooth. If I ever do get a "vibrator", pulling the wheel and getting the tire balanced will be simple enough.
I got the spoons and protectors at a swapmeet. However, places like J&P have them for a reasonable price.
Balancing? I do not balance. I just mount the sidewall dot in line with the valve stem. I have never had problems using this method. I have been riding on hand mounted tires for 15+ years. My tires last as long as the next guys and my bikes ride just as smooth. If I ever do get a "vibrator", pulling the wheel and getting the tire balanced will be simple enough.