Tire mounting at home?
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 505
From: Twin Cities
I've never done it any different. Grew up on MX bikes so I figured why not? And I do all my car tire by hand as well. Sportbikes are actually a lot easier than any MX tire I've changed. Breaking the bead is the only part that might give you a challenge. There are various homemade methods of accomplishing this. After that, the tire dang near falls on and off (compared to a dirtbike).
Use some lube. And take some care not to ding up the rim if cosmetics are a concern as they are not as resiliant as a MX rim. At first I didn't care and chewed things up a bit. Then I started doing friends' tire and a shop rag between the rim and tire iron did the trick. Now I use a set of plastic rim protectors. They're OK, nothing great. The rag worked just as well.
Then buy, or build a stand out of wood, or whatever, and balance if needed. Spin it a few times, mark the low point, add/remove weight, repeat untill it's random with no rocking back and forth before it comes to a stop. They bearings are remarkably smooth. I had doubts of this method working well at first. I was surprised. Stick on weights can be found at dealers or auto parts stores.
Use some lube. And take some care not to ding up the rim if cosmetics are a concern as they are not as resiliant as a MX rim. At first I didn't care and chewed things up a bit. Then I started doing friends' tire and a shop rag between the rim and tire iron did the trick. Now I use a set of plastic rim protectors. They're OK, nothing great. The rag worked just as well.
Then buy, or build a stand out of wood, or whatever, and balance if needed. Spin it a few times, mark the low point, add/remove weight, repeat untill it's random with no rocking back and forth before it comes to a stop. They bearings are remarkably smooth. I had doubts of this method working well at first. I was surprised. Stick on weights can be found at dealers or auto parts stores.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,090
From: Big Lick
Lube is very important to remember. It's easy to do manually. I picked up a changer from Harbor Freight. I made my money back in 4 changes compared to shops and it's also easier than doing them manually.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
I spent years doing it this way Minimalist Tubeless Motorcycle Tire Change Part I - YouTube
But then I wisened and got the harbor freight changer. Found the motorcycle adapter used on cl in the next state & drove to get it.
Also the no-mar tire change bar is a revelaton. You can do it like the video above but like they said, use plastic rim savers (buy the real ones dont make your own).
It is worth doing. Taking the bike to a shop is a waste. You will need a good air source to seat the bead though. A small air tank will do.
But then I wisened and got the harbor freight changer. Found the motorcycle adapter used on cl in the next state & drove to get it.
Also the no-mar tire change bar is a revelaton. You can do it like the video above but like they said, use plastic rim savers (buy the real ones dont make your own).
It is worth doing. Taking the bike to a shop is a waste. You will need a good air source to seat the bead though. A small air tank will do.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 231
From: Saint Paul, MN
I do them myself as well. Use Windex for lube and this Motorsport Products Portable Tire Changing Stand With Bead Breaker | Jake Wilson as my bead breaker. Almost $100, but it pays for itself in a couple uses.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
find some friends that ride a lot, chip in and get a no-mar basic version. With tires from mail order and mounting them yourselves it will pay for itself in no time and the job becomes a few minute, easy, safe, no-mar job. you have to have enough friends that ride enough to go through tires though. amazing product, customer service and family business
Thread Starter
Connie Demico does toad?
Superstock
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 383
From: Lakeway
My interest is piqued. Maybe I will bust out the spoons and see. If I deflate the tire and stand on the sidewall will it come off the bead? I have always wrestled with changing tires on the floor. These feel pretty gummy compared to Dunlop dualsport tires. I'll let know what happens, thanks fellers.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 505
From: Twin Cities
Standing on it usually wont do it. Maybe, but I was never able to accomplish it. I saw a dude on YouTube nail a 2x4 to a wall stud coming straight out at a 90 degree angle. Then another one nailed to that close to the wall at another 90 so it's pointed downward. Then use the lever action of that to pop the bead. Should work. I have contraption I made out of spare metal pieces that does basically the same thing. Put a rug down or something to protect the rotors and such from the floor.
A guy I work with once brought a wheel into work and ran the tire over with the forklift. I thought he was crazy but it worked.
A guy I work with once brought a wheel into work and ran the tire over with the forklift. I thought he was crazy but it worked.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Wake me up when I stop laughing... When you go to break the bead you'll see why. I have snapped 2x4s in half trying to break the bead. On a streetbike they are REALLY tough. Watch this video Minimalist Tubeless Motorcycle Tire Change Part I - YouTube
And every other video on the tube BEFORE attempting it. Also know that other videos usually want their machine to look great so use a recently mounted & over lubed tire. Lots of windex (assume the whole bottle) to get it free. It is as much tecnique as brute force but can take lots of both. Cold temps make it exponentially harder. (literally)
And every other video on the tube BEFORE attempting it. Also know that other videos usually want their machine to look great so use a recently mounted & over lubed tire. Lots of windex (assume the whole bottle) to get it free. It is as much tecnique as brute force but can take lots of both. Cold temps make it exponentially harder. (literally)
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
My interest is piqued. Maybe I will bust out the spoons and see. If I deflate the tire and stand on the sidewall will it come off the bead? I have always wrestled with changing tires on the floor. These feel pretty gummy compared to Dunlop dualsport tires. I'll let know what happens, thanks fellers.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,015
The HF changer works really well with some mods to the china made stuff. Weld (not just bolt) lower base then secure to floor well. HF rim clamps could scratch wheel so i have always just used the nylon rim savers then clamp down. The bead breaker works fine, never failed me even on an old Ford Bronco tire. Now the breaker bar on the HF changer is junk and will scratch the wheel. I instead bought the No-Mar tire bar (nylon tips) and paste and use that for all rubber / wheel surface contact.
Changed about 40 tires to date and no scratches yet. Someday i may spring for the full No-Mar, but for now i stick with what is working.
If you ride much at all it will pay for itself time and time again.
Changed about 40 tires to date and no scratches yet. Someday i may spring for the full No-Mar, but for now i stick with what is working.
If you ride much at all it will pay for itself time and time again.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
I'd do my own if I had a Coats RC 200/EX in my garage. But I was spoiled for the 34 years that I taught in a 10 bay shop with all the best equipment: tire changers, balancer, computerized 4 wheel alignment, smog check, 4 above ground Rotary lifts, Snap-on tools in a tool room almost as big as my house, etc. I've done thousands of car tires, but we didn't have a motorcycle tire changer.
I did the tires on my first bike over a plastic trash can, 30 years ago. My back says take it to the dealer now-a-days.
I did the tires on my first bike over a plastic trash can, 30 years ago. My back says take it to the dealer now-a-days.
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,213
From: Gettysburg, Pa
My new front rubber came early last week. I was definitely going to try mounting myself this time (after the local guy butched my rear rim). Never heard any horror stories about breaking the bead.... Ah hell, bring it! Now hit the checkout button for a 3 iron kit. Wish me luck! Unless there is someone local w/ the right tool??????
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 834
From: Nooksack WA
My new front rubber came early last week. I was definitely going to try mounting myself this time (after the local guy butched my rear rim). Never heard any horror stories about breaking the bead.... Ah hell, bring it! Now hit the checkout button for a 3 iron kit. Wish me luck! Unless there is someone local w/ the right tool??????
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