Topic: Anyone change their own tires?

[Inigo Montoya]

Not sure why all the hoopla over changing tires. Hell I did it in a parking lot with some flat head screwdrivers. Yes it did scrape the edge of the tire some but nothing that would cause it to be unsafe. I also did air the tube some. The biggest reason is to prevent twists in the tube and to keep an eye on it. the inflated tube is easier to see then a flat tube.
Take a little time. Keep an eye on what you are doing and just be careful. Thats about all it takes.
I will most likely do this soon probably and will balance very similar to brown bomber's method.

[MoTo-BunnY]

I do my own tires and rims. From the truing of the spokes to putting on the tube and tire. It was pretty hard the first time but a lot easier thereafter. The proper tire irons help immensely.

Also, contrary to the above poster, IMHO don't even THINK about using screwdrivers. It's a common recommendation unfortunately and will nick and put a hole in a tube faster than you know it. DON'T DO IT - tire irons are cheap. If you just can't spend the $8 or whatever on the proper tool (for some foolish reason) use adjustable wrench handles but the proper irons are what really make this a doable project for the amateur.

From the picture below, I use the red handled tool to set the tire up on the rim. Then I use a pair of the curved lever (second one down) to set the bead. Sprays of a mild soapy water solution help immeasurably. Some people recommend silicone spray or what not but I would hesitate, as it would be too persistent IMHO. I use a heavy rubber mallet ($3 at WalMart) to knock over the last few inches of the bead (the hardest part). I don't use the straight lever tool much and the thingies on the bottom are edge protectors. I just used a piece of soft plastic. You can pick up this whole tool set for like $20-30 quite regularly.

Not the easiest thing in the world to do (especially since I don't have much upper body strength) but I wanted to do it myself and learned how. Now, I wouldn't hesitate to do it myself but I also agree that there is the time and place to take it somewhere if you don't feel up to it or are in a hurry.

[Franken750]

Used to ride a lot of enduros once.

Had to be able change a tyre/tube in 3 mins (engine-off to engine-on and back in gear) to remain compettitive, so I used to practice in the driveway, fully decked out in riding gear etc.

Sidestand only. Hot engine and exhaust. Use only the tools you carry. 6" tyre irons. Hand pump.

4.50x18 Trellborg knobby. Rimlocks to prevent tyre spinning inside rim. Inner tube.

Got down to just under 4 mins but then I didn't have a quick release wheel.

Family and career interrupted all that so I never did make it to the ISDT. 

Fellas.

I'm just amazed, dumfounded, gobsmacked .... call it what you will.

For heavens sake - tyre changers, 2 people, 24" tyre irons, and copping out: leave that stuff to the pros! How flaming "pro" do you have to be to change a tyre

Does anyone here know how long you need to boil water for?

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhhhhh...

[ekpent]

Read a bunch but not all.If you change your tires,which I do the BIG DEAL is once you get them off,"hate those Bridestones"  is to take a wire wheel on a drill and get all the F'ing rust out of the inside of the rim.Its nasty in there. Its always there on the old bikes,usually some stuck on the tube,inside of rim etc,to much "lube" water when they were put on etc.Clean it up-check the spokes,betcha a bunch are loose,new rubber rim strap,put some air in the tube,remove the core and mount. Quicky $20.00 places will not clean the inside or check spokes-you need too.  PS- furniture polish for install  

[Inigo Montoya]

Yes moto, irons are cheap. When you have access to them. My flat was in the evening and I was not home and had no way to get them. Screwdrivers work just fine. Just be careful. Unless you are not able to take enough care and have to use irons, then I guess you can leave your bike in a lot over night to get irons.
Imagine what things you might need to improvise on the road. Hell you might even have to use a patched tube!! GASP!

[Gordon]

Quicky $20.00 places will not clean the inside or check spokes-you need too.  

You know this for a fact?

The "quicky $20.00 place" I take my rims and tires to is a shop that specializes in wheel repair and restoration for all types of wheels, and they check the entire wheel to make sure it's safe.  I'm sure there are plenty of shops that will throw a tire on a junk rim and happily charge you for it, but that doesn't mean they all do.  Just like with anything else, it's up to you to know who you're paying to do a job.

[MoTo-BunnY]

Yes moto, irons are cheap. When you have access to them. My flat was in the evening and I was not home and had no way to get them. Screwdrivers work just fine. Just be careful. Unless you are not able to take enough care and have to use irons, then I guess you can leave your bike in a lot over night to get irons.
Imagine what things you might need to improvise on the road. Hell you might even have to use a patched tube!! GASP!

Yeah, I would just give up and go hysterical if I was stranded and didn't have the exact right tool-yeah, that's the ticket, that's soooo me.........   

Actually, I was just trying to point out not to use screwdrivers as your primary way of assembling tires to anyone that hasn't done tires yet, as I see this "tip" commonly mentioned. I think it's a REAL bad idea in all but the "gotta do it now" scenario, as it often leads to holes in your tube, torn up chrome, etc.

I don't know where all this snark is coming from some posters, as I thought this thread was a pretty good idea as in going over a very important skill. Personally, I have found that 1). not too many hobbyists actually change their own tires anymore (as in tire and tube, on and off the rim) and really don't know all these tips and tools that some of you seem to think is innately born into your or something. and 2). It's a REAL good idea not to f**k up your tires on a motorcycle, as there is not a lot of room for error and getting a sudden blowout down the road would really suck.

I guess I was just thinking that this place is for helping others out, asking questions, sharing wisdom and experience, learning new skills, etc?

[fastbroshi]

   I was under the impression that steel belted tires have too stiff of a sidewall to do by hand.  Guess I was wrong, after watching that video.  Made it look pretty easy.  Thanks for the info Brown Bomber, 754.  Good posts. 

[754]

 The main trick is to have the least tension possible on the bead portion you are working on.. makes all the difference..

 I wasnt going to let you guys /gals in on this.. but the main reason I find tire changing fairly straight forward.. is..

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my tire irons, are equipped with pods..

[fastbroshi]

YOU'RE a pod, ya big dork   

[Brown Bomber]

I just realized whats wrong with this thread, we haven't discussed the pro's, and con's of balance beads!

[Don R]

Anybody still use a breezer tool? I bought one in the 70's and still carry it in the race car trailer in case I get a front flat tire. I tap it around with a rubber hammer. flandersco.com still has them

[754]

 I have a breezer, have used it a bit..

 I find tho for the road, it means packing a  heavy hammer, and that I have to hit it with so much effort that using the irons, is not really harder. It should prevent tube pinching tho if used right..

 I am a bit surprised that  no one asked why I do NOT tighten down the valve stems..

[fastbroshi]

So they don't get in the way of your Dyna beads??

[Brown Bomber]

So they don't get in the way of your Dyna beads??

[weekend_junkie]

Wow.  All this banter over tire changing.  I have 3 small irons and 1 big whammy bar of a tire iron.  If you're sloppy enough that you pop a tube, then you shouldn't have been using a screw driver.  I recently slapped some new & cheap Duros on my 350F and it was a lot easier compared to putting a 160 on a 5" CBR rim... by hand.

[SBKH]

I have done hundreds of tube tires... IMHO these are the best tire levers on the market. http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0007/

As long as you utilize the rim's drop center they work flawlessly.  The key to it going smoothly is the drop center... I gives the opposite side of the tire somewhere to go while you are bringing that last little bit over the edge of the rim.

[fastbroshi]

gd, just when I thought I had enough tools...wait no, I'm a MAN! (Tim Allen grunt) arrrr arrrr arrrr

[spitcrazy]

I did my front after researching and watching the video from scudman. Just had to try it for personal satisfaction. I had little problem just time and working slowly ... a few curses. I just like looking at anything I fix on the bike and saying, I Did That. Really is zen, brings the two of you closer together.

[Brown Bomber]

I did my front after researching and watching the video from scudman. Just had to try it for personal satisfaction. I had little problem just time and working slowly ... a few curses. I just like looking at anything I fix on the bike and saying, I Did That. Really is zen, brings the two of you closer together.

Well said

[rebabal]

Ive been doing mine for years, after learning  on an old dirt bike.    wouldn't let someone else do it now....

[Inigo Montoya]

Aw moto, so sensitive and yet so willing to blast others. Of course screwdrivers are not optimal but still work in a jam. You also have no more chance of slicing a tube than with irons unless you are not careful. I fail to see where anyone is "snarky", oh well.
As for wisdom, its still here. Informing a person that they can use screwdrivers if irons are not available is still part of that, even if some are against it.

[MoTo-BunnY]

Aw moto, so sensitive and yet so willing to blast others. Of course screwdrivers are not optimal but still work in a jam. You also have no more chance of slicing a tube than with irons unless you are not careful. I fail to see where anyone is "snarky", oh well.
As for wisdom, its still here. Informing a person that they can use screwdrivers if irons are not available is still part of that, even if some are against it.

How am I "blasting others"?   that's just bizarre-I'm just pointing out that screwdrivers are sharp and sub optimal to use on changing tires, contrary to some recommendations. As far as "no more chance in slicing a tube", sorry but you are full of #$%*. Screw drivers may 'work' if you are very careful and that's all you got but they are still pretty sharp typically and will tear stuff up if you slip at all. If you want to be all macho and use a kangaroo bone and 10 penny nail, that's your gig and I could care less. However, when you start telling others that have never done it before, that's the way to do it, then I'm going to pipe up and say no, it's not the best way and there are actually inexpensive tools that will do the job far better and easier.

[sangyo soichiro]

I just took my old tires off.  There was no blood.  And very few curse words. 

[fastbroshi]

   Hey you two, why are you blasting each other all of a sudden?  Your first posts countering each other weren't criticizing, they were just matter of fact.  "You do it this way however...." 

   Please don't be so quick to take it the other way.  Sometimes the zingers are funny though.  We know you don't change your tires every time with screwdrivers Inigo (do you?  ), and MotoBunny I think I have a joey bone around here somewhere, would that work ya think?