Tire changer?
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: So. ILL.
Tire changer?
I am getting ready to replace tires on my 10 FLHTK has anyone made a home made tire changer or at least a rim/tire holder to mount on bench to make it easier to dismount/mount tire?
thanks RB
thanks RB
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Hopefully someone will call by and give you a direct answer soon, but my experience with tubeless tyres, early on after they were introduced, is that it easy to damage the tyre bead at home, so I take my wheels out and get my new tyres installed and balanced. A compromise, but it's quick and painless! I use my local Yamaha dealer and they had problems installing one new tyre for me and had to replace it, which I would never have been able to solve on my own. I just share that for what it's worth!
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: So. ILL.
I could take it to a shop but what fun is there in that. I don't like to pay someone else for things that I can do. I also know that they usually don't put their best mechanic on tire changes but more likely the the shop boy when he's done sweeping the floor. The tires are a pretty important part of a motorcycle so I like to know it is done right.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
Sounds like you might enjoy having a dedicated motorcycle tire changer, like my Cycle Hill, the "budget" model from NoMar. I got mine used for about half the price of a new one. I have no regrets, really like the thing. 7 bikes in the stable I bought used, and every one needed new tires (a 30 year old front tire? Gotta be crazy to ride on that!). If you figure the cost of taking a bike to a dealer, it's already paid for itself. Of course, if you don't already have them, you'd have to figure in the cost of a jack and air compressor...
I've seen grown men struggle, cuss, and skin their knuckles (yeah, I was one of them) using spoons. My grandkid thought it was fun popping the new tire over the rim with this (I started the tool in the tire first).
It's not just saving labor money; I know I won't scratch or dent a rim, know it's done right (especially if there's a tube involved), and while the tire is off, can use the changer as a secure holder while I change bearings and polish the wheel. And just feel good saying no one else (except the kid) has touched one of my Harleys while I owned it.
More pics of the kid having fun with my bikes and tools here:
https://www.hdforums.com/g/album/769489
I've seen grown men struggle, cuss, and skin their knuckles (yeah, I was one of them) using spoons. My grandkid thought it was fun popping the new tire over the rim with this (I started the tool in the tire first).
It's not just saving labor money; I know I won't scratch or dent a rim, know it's done right (especially if there's a tube involved), and while the tire is off, can use the changer as a secure holder while I change bearings and polish the wheel. And just feel good saying no one else (except the kid) has touched one of my Harleys while I owned it.
More pics of the kid having fun with my bikes and tools here:
https://www.hdforums.com/g/album/769489
Last edited by Imold; May 3, 2014 at 07:49 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 32
I changed my rear tire using two $5 tire irons from Harbour Freight. It would have been easier with a third iron but two worked ok. It took me about 10 minutes to remove the old tire and about 10 minutes to put the new one with a tube on. I only have the one bike so hard to justify a changer although if you compare the fact that I saved about $200 on buying my tire online and changing my own then I could justify a changer on the second tire. Oh well I now have a set of irons or spoons whichever one you want to call them.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
I changed my rear tire using two $5 tire irons from Harbour Freight. It would have been easier with a third iron but two worked ok. It took me about 10 minutes to remove the old tire and about 10 minutes to put the new one with a tube on. I only have the one bike so hard to justify a changer although if you compare the fact that I saved about $200 on buying my tire online and changing my own then I could justify a changer on the second tire. Oh well I now have a set of irons or spoons whichever one you want to call them.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 32
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: So. ILL.
Thanks for the replies. I might look into a changer or just do it the old fashioned way since I'm OLD fashioned.
RB
RB
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
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 3,810
From: Cape Cod
To break the bead I use two 2x4's one about 8' long and the other about 12" long, put the short one down on the tire and use the longer one to wedge under my truck and pull down onto the short one.......very similar to how a real one works, but cheaper!! Break the bead in no time and then tire off using spoons and windex. Now ask me how I get the tire bead ON the rim......it's explosive!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post