Topic: Quick advice needed - what to use to protect rim when changing tire?

[Erny]

I'm right now in garage trying to change tires. I bought rim protector set, but it does not fit, OEM rims walls on my K7 750 are approx 14mm wide and protector I have is designed to approx 9-10mm.

Can you advice some protection I can do myself in garage w/o waiting to buy new protectors?

[Yamahawk]

Actually, they are designed to protect the rim edges, and that should be fine, not sure if your tire irons would need more than that. Check them and see if your rims will need further than that. You might be fine.
Charlie

[Erny]

Not possible. They are designed for thinner rim wall and different profile..
Attached how theyook like. Very hard plastic impossible to push on my 14mm rim wall

[Erny]

Not possible. They are designed for thinner rim wall and different profile..
Attached how theyook like. Very hard plastic impossible to push on my 14mm rim wall

[754]

I use nothing, I polish my tire irons, make sure there us no burrs. 
 Is it a steel rims no problem.
 I looked at one steel rim the guy had scratched, first thing I said, it's your irons... and indeed there was burrs or lumps on them..

[millla03]

Pieces of a gallon milk jug get the job done. You can even fold them over for extra protection. I also have protectors like those, and find the milk jug pieces easier to work with than the protectors, just depending on what part of the tire you're at. I use a combination of both when changing tires. Don't trust myself enough to do it without like 754 mentioned.

[Erny]

Pieces of a gallon milk jug get the job done. You can even fold them over for extra protection. I also have protectors like those, and find the milk jug pieces easier to work with than the protectors, just depending on what part of the tire you're at. I use a combination of both when changing tires. Don't trust myself enough to do it without like 754 mentioned.

Super tip! Many thanks! I cut in pieces plastic canister from windshield fluid, similar to milk jug you proposed. I took me quite some time but I managed to remove old tires finally.

[Don R]

I used a plastic coffee can. Folgers I believe.

[crazypj]

I use nothing, I polish my tire irons, make sure there us no burrs. 
 Is it a steel rims no problem.
 I looked at one steel rim the guy had scratched, first thing I said, it's your irons... and indeed there was burrs or lumps on them..

I do same on steel rims. Even on alloy rims it's possible to change tyres without damage. Polishing any area that contacts tyre or rim also allows things to slide on easier. You may need to start with 120 grit on many cheaper tyre levers and go to at least 600. If your using them a lot they will get even better finish, if not, just shine them up with 80~1200 grit every time you use htem

[tlbranth]

I've used the plastic from thick containers but have better luck with tire irons I've put pex tubing on the ends of. I heated the stuff with a heat gun, pressed it on and squished it wherever the bends in the iron are. They're a bit clunky but they work. I sort of agree with Frank, even though he's foreign, that for steel wheels, if your irons are smooth and you know what you're doing, no protection is the easiest way to go. If your technique is bad though, you'll find it difficult no matter what you use. I hate changing tube tires. My GL1500 is the easiest even though the tires are stiff as can be because no tubes are involved.

[754]

I do mags as well, no protection..
 I guess  that is unprotected tire changing.....

[tlbranth]

Glad you clarified that Frank

[PeWe]

The plastic rim protection is flexible. It has to be forced by some bending it up pressing one corner on the rim and it will be possible to press on completely.
Important as Frank wrote, good irons with no burrs. Make sure to not bend with the iron in wrong angle, it has to be flat against rim.
Use good iron too. I have a curved model that work fine.

I have also used a pieces of 1/2 oil hose as rim protection, seen on one photo.
When tire is on half ways, tube is going in. Make sure to fill tube with a little air so its not really flat. Its way too easy to pinch it and you have to invest in new tube. Have a soft curved wood stick to puch away the tube where you set the iron before you start to wrap it on the rim.
Use good rim lubricant. I have used soft soap for floor cleaning  until this year when I started to do it by myself with real tire lube.
Another thing is how the tube valve nuts has to be. I started a thread about it yesterday.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,171478.0.html