Changing Tires?

[HRCNICK11]

Chaining tires is pretty easy if you know how. We do it at the track all the time with the supermoto bikes. Coming up short on a jump can pinch a bead so every one keeps spare tubes and replaces them if they get pinched.

A big guy can break a motorcycle bead just steping on the side wall but don't do this with the rotors on or you will bend them. I have also seen guys use a folding ramp and put the tire near the folding part and and step on the ends.

Don't use your car you will just bend your rims.

Get the harbor feight tire changer that was posted about before it pays for it self after a few changes.

Get some lube it makes the job sooooooo much easier.

[HRCNICK11]

http://www.twowheelfix.com/showthread.php?t=9228

Read up lots of info.

also lots of you-tube videos with instructions.

[marko138]

Man, next house I own will have a giant garage and will have a tire changer in it.

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by marko138

I've always taken the wheels off myself and took them to have the tires mounted and balanced. I think I paid $25 per last time...and that was at a Honda dealer.

$30 each off the bike at the HD place. Neither the Zuke/Kawi dealer or the Honda/Yami dealer will touch a Buell rim.

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by marko138

Man, next house I own will have a giant garage and will have a tire changer in it.

You will never regret it, got mine all set up now

Tom

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by tommymac

You will never regret it, got mine all set up now

Tom

Yep, I just changed my tire yesterday and put on a new chain.





Oh and here's the mods I did to the tire iron, Tommy;

Piece of lotion bottle on the mounting side,





and a strip of bottle and some electrical tape on the demount side,





I warmed it up a little with a hair dryer and wrapped it right around. Once, I eliminated the fear of scratching my rims, I knocked my tire change time down 2/3s! I've looked at the aftermarket bars and they look great but this works and even if I had to redo it every tire change, which I don't (5th tire so far!), it would still be worth the $100 they want for a bar! Shit, I only paid $80 for the machine!

[tommymac]

Those are some great ideas for the hf set up. I like the demount bar for the hf better than the no mar one. There is a bit of a learning curve at first but after doing a set of 2 it will be much easier

[Amber Lamps]

Originally Posted by tommymac

Those are some great ideas for the hf set up. I like the demount bar for the hf better than the no mar one. There is a bit of a learning curve at first but after doing a set of 2 it will be much easier

Oh yea, it gets easier and easier every time I do it. Mainly, for me and also for you, it's not a question of physical strength but technique and concern for the rims that was slowing me down.

[t-homo]

A few guys around here have Harbor Freight units that will change your tires for 20 a piece, unless you are best friends with em and then you get free tire changes and use of their shop lift. Talk about glorious.

[tommymac]

Originally Posted by TIGGER

Oh yea, it gets easier and easier every time I do it. Mainly, for me and also for you, it's not a question of physical strength but technique and concern for the rims that was slowing me down.

The technique def takes some time. I wasnt too concerned if I dinged my own rims but want to make sure I dont scratch anyonbe elses. Wiht the no mar now that is a non factor unless I drop the rim on the floor

Tom