Changing your own tire

[LC Cnd]

Just purchased a set of Avons and thought possibly I could put them on the rims myself. Came across this vid (appears a Elsie 250 rim is used). Using irons instead of spoons. Cut up a ice cream container for rim guards. Balancing next.

https://youtu.be/nJu_uaEB6qQ

[MK]

That's no rocket science.
A few years ago my local tire guy ceased doing motorcycle tires and the remaining rest wanted 30 Eur PER WHEEL just for mounting.
And a blow job while waiting was not even included.

So I got myself on of those from the local classifieds:
https://www.gp503.de/index.php/reifenmo ... gp503.html

Since then I did all my tires on my own and this were a lot. 17 inch street tires & slicks from 120 to 180 and even 12 inch pitbike tires.

[kpke]

After having my powder coated rims and Marchesini's fucked up by paid "professionals" I went this route.

Struggled with it for a while but I've gotten better at it. And no scratches and chips on my wheels.

[75RD350rider]

Thankfully my local bike shop still does them. Mounted and balanced for $30 a tire. If he is busy the Yamaha dealer charges 40. Usually I can get them done while I wait. Sometimes I have to come back the next day. I tip the guy doing the work$10.

[Yamavarna]

Ken, Where do I get one of those?

[(F5)]

Comes standard with the Dodge and rounds out at 50k plus 8 miles per gallon.

[kobra]

I have the same tire changer as Ken, but floor mount. Great for moto tires and guaranteed to never scratch a wheel. However I have a real hard time with stiff carcass touring tires on it.

[kpke]

Ken, Where do I get one of those?

I bought this one with the floor mount and the hitch mount

https://www.nomartirechanger.com/tc-classic.html

Purchased off Ebay (from nomar) when Ebay had a 10% off promotion.


F5, funny comment there sir. That truck gets 17+ MPG in town. It averaged 12.19 MPG towing a 28 foot travel trailer on a 897 mile trip through the eastern Sierras last summer. Better MPG than my straight 6 Grand Cherokee used to get.

[(F5)]

To be honest if you gave me 4 buckets of water and said "represent 1 gallon" I'd panic, push forward 2 buckets and scurry off mumbling something about the French. Michelin tyres are the other thing that they do well.

[LC Cnd]

Tire irons $24. Pail free. Followed the above noted video mentioned above. Installation in done in 20 mins. Easy n' cheap for those interested.

[brrrappp]

I got an empty 30 gallon oil drum free at a car dealer and used a length of heavy-duty fuel line to cover the rim of the drum so it doesn't scratch the wheel. When the motorcycle wheel rests on the drum the stock rotors fit inside the drum so they don't receive any pressure and don't need to be removed.
If you leave the new tire out on the hot pavement for an hour on a sunny day, most of the time you can put the tire on without tire irons.
The nice thing about the drum is it is about 3 feet tall so you're not bent over so much while you're working.

[LC Cnd]

Used sunshine on the tires - good tip. Utilized the drop centre and soap spray vid idea and it worked out. But had to use a 3rd tire iron, to snap the Avon tire bead over the rims, so the tire wouldn't pinch the tube. 1st time doing m/c tire installs so pleased it worked out.

[MK]

I use tire warmers on stubborn tires like the 180/55 road tires on my VTR1000.