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Changing a tire

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by skull2007, Mar 12, 2008.

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  1. skull2007

    skull2007 Active Member

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    never hear anyone talk about changing a tire:confused: whats it like, can it be done by a mere mortal or must it be done by one of the super hero's at a shop. of course than theres balancing to consider:banghead:
    skull2007, Mar 12, 2008
    #1
  3. ringo912

    ringo912 Active Member

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    With the proper tools a mere mortal is very capable, however you still need to get it balanced. Remember, white or yellow dot on the sidewal of the tire lines up with the valve stem, and make sure the arrows for direction of travel are correct. Directional arrows are not present on tires that have a non-directional tread design.:D
    ringo912, Mar 12, 2008
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  4. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    oh ya, they can be changed/repaired. done more than my share along side the road. that said you can purchase some tire tools for doing it yourself. me?? if i can get it to a shop, it is well worth the 20 bucks or so for them to do it.......it can be a lot of work. some times the bead sticks to the rim. then ya need some type of press to break it free. shop press, 2x6 and a car will work. just not worth the time and effort......but, everybody needs to do it once!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
    chucktx, Mar 12, 2008
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  5. fujimo

    fujimo New Member

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    tire

    bought a 39.00 tire changer at harbor frieght,, works alright,,, all you need to balance is a vise,,,round stock and wieghts,,,pops
    fujimo, Mar 12, 2008
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  6. Red Rider

    Red Rider Well-Known Member

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    Wow, memories......bottom line: So much easier to have a shop do it right.

    However - a friend of mine is a retired moto-wrench. He still does consultant work under NV law where he gets paid to show the non-trained monkeys (aka - guys like me) how to work on their bikes in his garage at home. He, being smarter than the average bear, uses the profits to buy the stuff that you need to work on today's rides. I think it is sooooo cool. My point is he now has a garage at his home where he has that tire changing thing (forgot what it is called) and a ton of other special tools to use on his and our rides. Started small and got big - the American way. If you love to work on bikes and have the time and skill, maybe your state won't destroy you in this effort. I know he'd be doing Folsom time in California, so check your local laws on it, if you're interested.

    :cheers:
    Red Rider, Mar 12, 2008
    #5
  7. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep everyone should do it at least once , so practice up on all the bad words you know , & get after it & pay attention because you know more when your done about changing a tire :eek:
    cowboy, Mar 12, 2008
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  8. Ultra Al

    Ultra Al New Member

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    All you need is a lift and some wrenches. Pull the tire off, remember where the spacers and washers go and as previously mentioned, take it to the shop for truing and balancing. I remember once on a run up to the Az mountains I broke a couple of spokes and replaced them and used a musical tuning fork and tightened them to the same pitch as the other ones. They were close enough so I went straight down the road with my hands off the bars. As far as Im concerned the guys that lace, true and balance earn their money big time. if i absolutely had to do it I would remove all guns, big hammers and implements of destruction before starting. AL
    Ultra Al, Mar 13, 2008
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  9. skull2007

    skull2007 Active Member

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    attitude

    problem i'm seeing is these shops want you to buy the tire through them, or they don't want to deal with it, Greed:rant:
    skull2007, Mar 13, 2008
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  10. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    shull check with the INDY shops there are some around here that will just change the tire the price of fixing a flat bal is extra
    cowboy, Mar 13, 2008
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  11. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

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    Last edited: Mar 13, 2008
    cardboard, Mar 13, 2008
    #10
  12. cardboard

    cardboard Well-Known Member

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    cardboard, Mar 14, 2008
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  13. wvak47

    wvak47 Active Member

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    All the shops around me, Indy or Stealer, if you don't buy the tire from them they won't even talk to you about mounting or balancing them. Don't know about walking in with a mounted tire and wheel and having them balance it.

    One of my goals is to have the equipment, and training to lace wheels and mount/balance tires. My next two major moves in the bike world is to build a powder coat oven big enough for a frame (seen the link already), and the wheel thing. With any luck these will be 08 finished goals.
    wvak47, Mar 14, 2008
    #12
  14. skull2007

    skull2007 Active Member

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    exactly what i want to do. can't afford getting overcharged all the time. best to do it yourself
    skull2007, Mar 14, 2008
    #13
  15. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    I have a friend with an indy shop he will mount a tire for $25 if I bring it in, If I walked in off the street he would probably say no.

    Most around here won't do it either, couple of reasons, one they want the tire sale and it's the only way to compete with online retailers that undercut prices because of volume, which hurts the indy shops profits (hey they are entitled to a profit it's why they are open)

    Lots of people, myself included shop the net for great prices and beat on local retailers to match, or we go to Schmega Yall Mart to buy stuff cheap cheap cheap and then wonder why others won't help us do the work.

    Now instead of HD indy shops or dealers, call around to your local yamaha,suzuki,kawi dealer, many of them will mount a tire, they are used to it due to the expense of tires for sport bikes, the low pocketbook of the riders that have these bikes and the amount of tread they go through in 4K LOL

    You can get tire changing stuff at Harbour freight, it's some work to do, build a box to hold the wheel so you don't have to remove everything from 4x6 have fun breaking the bead, then get tire lube, it's super slippery, be sure to get the rubber strip for spokes, clean stuff up, pop on the tube and tire then hope your air compressor has the nuts to fill it fast enough to pop it on the rim LOL

    For me, $25 is worth every penny.
    hotroadking, Mar 14, 2008
    #14
  16. tbaz

    tbaz New Member

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    simple balance

    If you take this on and need a balance check dyna beads. I use these in all of my bikes and they are great. No weights, no dealing with weight falling off and the tires stays balance for the life.

    I put 2 oz in each tire and you can feed them through the valve stem.

    Tire Balancing Products

    tbaz
    tbaz, Mar 15, 2008
    #15
  17. skull2007

    skull2007 Active Member

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    well i've got the tires and irons ready to go. one thing:gah: where is the dot or mark. it's an avon:witsend:
    skull2007, Apr 5, 2008
    #16
  18. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    not all tires are going to have the valve stem marked....or it will be an emblem or such. try the avon site, it may help you or check with your supplier/dealer. avons may not require a special place for the valve stem........
    chucktx, Apr 5, 2008
    #17
  19. Brandersnatch

    Brandersnatch New Member

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    Yea, but only once! B*stard job. :D
    Brandersnatch, Apr 7, 2008
    #18
  20. fujimo

    fujimo New Member

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    tires

    comeon,,,i still do it and it is not that difficult,,,, i will change to a skin if i am going to stay with 150 mile trips for a period of time ,,and change back to good rubber for a trip,,, pops
    fujimo, Apr 7, 2008
    #19
  21. chucktx

    chucktx Moderator Staff Member

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    no comment pops....................have fun!!!!!:)
    chucktx, Apr 7, 2008
    #20
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