Changing my own tires from now on.

[Aldawg]

My stealer wants to charge me well over $400 for new tires for the FJR :mad: I nearly fell over! So I have decided to do my own tire changes now. I'm gonna build a clamp like this one http://www.no-scufftiretool.com/ along with his bar that he sells with the No-mar tip. For balancing I found a nice one at Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-balancing-stand-98488.html. So for the same tires I wanted, I can get them shipped free for less than $300. I wont be saving too much $ this time, but seeing as I own 4 bikes, the savings will add up quickly over the years. P^ If anybody has any thoughts or input on this, I would greatly appreciate any and all. Thanks :D

[Peacekeeper]

My stealer wants to charge me well over $400 for new tires for the FJR :mad: I nearly fell over! So I have decided to do my own tire changes now. I'm gonna build a clamp like this one http://www.no-scufftiretool.com/ along with his bar that he sells with the No-mar tip. For balancing I found a nice one at Harbor Freight http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-balancing-stand-98488.html. So for the same tires I wanted, I can get them shipped free for less than $300. I wont be saving too much $ this time, but seeing as I own 4 bikes, the savings will add up quickly over the years. P^ If anybody has any thoughts or input on this, I would greatly appreciate any and all. Thanks :D

If there is a Cycle gear around you and you buy the tires from them they mount and balance for free, you gotta pull the wheels and take them in, thats what I have done for years, save lots of $$$$$

[bigTom]

I like doing them myself, and I know they are done right.

Not to mention paying for the equipment on the first change....and I get to do them on MY schedule...

[kdf9511]

Check around for a local independant shop or a tire shop where the owner rides. I had an independant shop in Houston I used to go to that would mount and ballance for $15 a wheel. And here in Oklahoma the local Firestone dealer is a rider and said he does bikes. Don't know what he charges yet. I have done my own and will willingly pay up to $20 to have one done just to avoid the hassle.

[Indianscout]

Good find! Been doing mine for years and never had a problem. Now I'm working at a small engine shop and I get to do all the bike tires now...... I like the idea and would think I could make one up myself if need be but will stick with the tire irons for now. We get alot of tires from Dennis Kirk (free shipping on orders over $100.00) and they have a good selection to chose from.

[lytle1gw]

I buy all my tires from dennis kirk and have a shop that will change and balance for 30.P^

[Mellow]

I have a no-mar tire changer so if anyone in the DFW area needs a tire change just ship them to me and ride on over. I don't have any experience with tube tires so I can only offer this for tubeless tire changes.

[Aldawg]

You guys are great, I really like this forum! My local Cycle Gear charges $20 per wheel (carried in). Gonna have to checkout Dennis Kirk for the PR3's. Thanks everyone! My tires are like racing slics, after ripping around Vermont and N.H. last week, so I'm gonna try to order everything today. If anybody finds good prices on Michelin Pilot Road 3, please post up, cuz I'm ready to buy. Thanks again for all the help and encouragement.

[Aldawg]

I found this on the FJR Forum http://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=139950&st=0&p=886723&hl=+tire%20+spreadsheet&fromsearch=1&#entry886723 It has a nice spreadsheet for some popular tires and prices!

[G wizz]

I have a no-mar tire changer so if anyone in the DFW area needs a tire change just ship them to me and ride on over. I don't have any experience with tube tires so I can only offer this for tubeless tire changes.

Hey Joe ...
I can read between the lines here ... I'll bet the reason you won't attempt changing tubed tires is becouse someone told you there were a pain in the ass to change ...
They were right ...

I also have a No-Mar tire changer. It really works swell. And yes, I do change tires with tubes in 'em ... But, being brand biased, I only change tires off of Harleys ...

G

[ImRubicon]

I really need to get one as its cheaper than trading bikes when tire are worn LOL

[Tx White Knight]

Hey Joe ...
I can read between the lines here ... I'll bet the reason you won't attempt changing tubed tires is becouse someone told you there were a pain in the ass to change ...
They were right ...
G

I have done 3 tube tire changes and using the videos on youtube it is not that bad at all and I was using 3 short irons. I wanted to be sure I coule fix a tire on my Dakar if I was out in Big Bend or anyplace that is 100 miles from anything :D

biggest tips are
Keeping the opposite side down in the center
use baby powder in the tire and on the tube
put tube in tire and put some air in it so it will keep shape
with tube in not put some ruegllide on the lip of the tire
now put valve stem through hole then let top lip come up and just push tire on

no more pinched fingers trying to get the valve stem through P^

[Trailace]

I always do my own tires saves money and help me get to know the bike better. I have a changer but always seem to use my irons. :rolleyes:

I don't have an issue with tube tires you just have to keep a little air in the tube. I have done a lot of them at home and the side of the road. :(

[Tx White Knight]

I have done a lot of them at home and the side of the road. :(

I figured for my learing I would rather learn at home than in the Mojave next Feb :D

[GMiller64]

Hey Joe ...
I can read between the lines here ... I'll bet the reason you won't attempt changing tubed tires is becouse someone told you there were a pain in the ass to change ...
They were right ...

I also have a No-Mar tire changer. It really works swell. And yes, I do change tires with tubes in 'em ... But, being brand biased, I only change tires off of Harleys ...

G

Hey Wizz how does the No-Mar do on the Harley tires? I changed on myself two years ago with irons and what a pain that was. I had watched several videos on-line and they showed the tire almost slipping right on to the wheel. On my Harley tire that wasn't going to happen the tire overlaped the wheel by several inches. If the No-mar or someone elses machien will do this at a reasonable price I may buy that.

George

[Aldawg]

Up-date Dennis Kirk did have good prices on tires but these guys were a little cheaper http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=Michelin+Tire+Detail and have free 2 day shipping to my door. New Pilot Road 3's $293.98 not a bad price at all. Now to order the No-scuff bar and I'm all set.

[G wizz]

Hey Wizz how does the No-Mar do on the Harley tires? I changed on myself two years ago with irons and what a pain that was. I had watched several videos on-line and they showed the tire almost slipping right on to the wheel. On my Harley tire that wasn't going to happen the tire overlaped the wheel by several inches. If the No-mar or someone elses machien will do this at a reasonable price I may buy that.

George

I've found the No-Mar tire changer a great peice of equipment. It doesn't take much effort at all to zip tires on & off. I have the "Classic" model changer, and also bought the "Posi Clamps" They clamp the Harley style cast rims easily. The stock rim clamps that come with the changer do well on the spoked rims, though ...
Don't know what you call "reasonable price" ... my No-Mar had paid for it's self the first year I owned it, but then, I also change tires other than my own. ...
If you were only going to do your own tires once a year or so, then it might be considered a luxury, but still worth the price, I'd say.

G

I was just poking fun at Joe with the tubed tires being a pain in the butt. They really arn't that bad. It's just that these 'ol fingers of mine sometimes have a hard time fishing that darn valve stem up through the rim hole ...

[Ironheadziggy76]

Now this is funny, I was up till 2:00am last night helping a friend put new tires on his Road King! :lol I'd like to get a tire changer, I'm still breaking them down in a big vise and spooning them on, last night wasn't bad, they were tubeless.

[kdf9511]

A lot of guys over on the V4HondaBBS like the Harbor Freight tire changer with the motorcycle adaptor. I just looked at thier website and it doesn't look like they carry it anymore though.

[G wizz]

Now this is funny, I was up till 2:00am last night helping a friend put new tires on his Road King! :lol I'd like to get a tire changer, I'm still breaking them down in a big vise and spooning them on, last night wasn't bad, they were tubeless.

If you'd a had a No-Mar, you'da had 'em both changed in ten minutes, maybe less ... P^

[Tx White Knight]

A lot of guys over on the V4HondaBBS like the Harbor Freight tire changer with the motorcycle adaptor. I just looked at thier website and it doesn't look like they carry it anymore though.

the come up for sale every once in a while, I will sell mine one of these days so I can get a No-Mar for my GT tires

[GMiller64]

I've found the No-Mar tire changer a great peice of equipment. It doesn't take much effort at all to zip tires on & off. I have the "Classic" model changer, and also bought the "Posi Clamps" They clamp the Harley style cast rims easily. The stock rim clamps that come with the changer do well on the spoked rims, though ...
Don't know what you call "reasonable price" ... my No-Mar had paid for it's self the first year I owned it, but then, I also change tires other than my own. ...
If you were only going to do your own tires once a year or so, then it might be considered a luxury, but still worth the price, I'd say.

G

I was just poking fun at Joe with the tubed tires being a pain in the butt. They really arn't that bad. It's just that these 'ol fingers of mine sometimes have a hard time fishing that darn valve stem up through the rim hole ...

I would only be changing my own tires and only about once a year. I think my local dealer charges $80.00 per tire if they take it off and $40.00 if you do. At that rate it would take several years to pay off a No-Mar changer. Anybody have any other alternatives?

George.

[G wizz]

I would only be changing my own tires and only about once a year. I think my local dealer charges $80.00 per tire if they take it off and $40.00 if you do. At that rate it would take several years to pay off a No-Mar changer. Anybody have any other alternatives?

George.

Well, if it's only the two you need to have changed, that's a small price to pay to keep from getting your fingers pinched ...
If it were me, I'd go find a good indy to change your tires ...They won't charge you near that much. It's not rocket science.

[Aldawg]

I would only be changing my own tires and only about once a year. I think my local dealer charges $80.00 per tire if they take it off and $40.00 if you do. At that rate it would take several years to pay off a No-Mar changer. Anybody have any other alternatives?

George.

Yes, do what I'm doing and build your own! http://no-scufftiretool.com/index.html For about $200 you can get everything you need. Then take advantage of the great prices for tires online. The $ you save is just about enough to get you all the tools you need, the 1st time. From there on it's all gravy, just think how much you'll save over the years, not to mention the free beer you'll get from hooking up friends!!! :)

[fjr rider]

For my fjr tire's donelson cycle #1 .ph# (314)427-1204 set of road pilot 2 by michelin work good for pulling trailer.the was little haver has a extra ply for back tire. good luck.

[VFR]

I like doing them myself, and I know they are done right.

Not to mention paying for the equipment on the first change....and I get to do them on MY schedule...



I'm impressed, Tom. I thought you always had Bob change your tires.....:rolleyes: Ooops :eek:

I have a Cycle Hill changer & Marc Parnes balancer. The changer is made by NoMar & works very well. I used to have them done locally but the price got out of hand, so this one will be paid for shortly, given how many tires I have changed this year.

[bigTom]

I'm impressed, Tom. I thought you always had Bob change your tires....

I help change my own....:) And his too, sometimes. We've done about 30 together, we're getting pretty good at it...

[Aldawg]

Alright, I'm just waiting on one more part to start my tire machine build. Gonna try my 1st DIY for those interested in their own.

[GMiller64]

Alright, I'm just waiting on one more part to start my tire machine build. Gonna try my 1st DIY for those interested in their own.

Cool, post some pictures of the build and let me know how the first tire change goes. If you don't want to post them send me a PM and I'll send you my e-mail address you can send some pics my way.

George

[BeemMeUp]

I've found the No-Mar tire changer a great peice of equipment. It doesn't take much effort at all to zip tires on & off. I have the "Classic" model changer, and also bought the "Posi Clamps" They clamp the Harley style cast rims easily. The stock rim clamps that come with the changer do well on the spoked rims, though ...
Don't know what you call "reasonable price" ... my No-Mar had paid for it's self the first year I owned it, but then, I also change tires other than my own. ...
If you were only going to do your own tires once a year or so, then it might be considered a luxury, but still worth the price, I'd say.

G

I was just poking fun at Joe with the tubed tires being a pain in the butt. They really arn't that bad. It's just that these 'ol fingers of mine sometimes have a hard time fishing that darn valve stem up through the rim hole ...

Do you use the Floor mount or a Receiver mount. I have one and went with the receiver mount for portabilty. It works great! I have a few more sets of tires to mount before it has paid for itself but I also do other peoples tires. I go through at least one set of tires myself a year and figure what I have saved just by mounting my own tires has paid for about 1/2 the changer plus I can do it when I choose too.

[G wizz]

Do you use the Floor mount or a Receiver mount. I have one and went with the receiver mount for portabilty. It works great! I have a few more sets of tires to mount before it has paid for itself but I also do other peoples tires. I go through at least one set of tires myself a year and figure what I have saved just by mounting my own tires has paid for about 1/2 the changer plus I can do it when I choose too.

Being the tight wad that I am, I bought only the the top working part of the tire changer, and made my own floor mount and base.
No-Mars work nice, dont they?

G

[BeemMeUp]

Being the tight wad that I am, I bought only the the top working part of the tire changer, and made my own floor mount and base.
No-Mars work nice, dont they?

G

Very slick units. What do you use for "bead grease"? Murphy's Oil Soap is about what the stuff is that No-Mar sells for a lubricant. We used to use Ru-Glide when I worked mounting tires for a living.

I changed alot of motorcycle tires using spoons through the years. I've always been a do it myself sort of person. Even patched tubes on the side of the road without dismounting the tire. Pumping them up with a hand pump was fun.

[G wizz]

Very slick units. What do you use for "bead grease"? Murphy's Oil Soap is about what the stuff is that No-Mar sells for a lubricant. We used to use Ru-Glide when I worked mounting tires for a living.

I changed alot of motorcycle tires using spoons through the years. I've always been a do it myself sort of person. Even patched tubes on the side of the road without dismounting the tire. Pumping them up with a hand pump was fun.

Got 'em to throw in an extra jar of jell lube when I bought the changer, so I've been using their stuff, I'm happy with it, is works.

[Mellow]

As with most things, there are tricks to doing tube tires... I just haven't done enough of them to know the tricks and I don't like practicing on someone's tires/wheels/tubes. I know Rick can do them blindfolded.

[BeemMeUp]

As with most things, there are tricks to doing tube tires... I just haven't done enough of them to know the tricks and I don't like practicing on someone's tires/wheels/tubes. I know Rick can do them blindfolded.

The biggest trick is to coat the tube with talcum powder and make sure there is no moisture in the tire. Insert the tube into the tire that has only one bead on the rim. A bit of air in the tube will help hold it in place while you mount the second bead. Make sure you don't pinch the tube. Partially inflate the tire, then let the air back out to help the tube center itself inside the tire. Inflate the tire to recommended pressure and you are done.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I saw a thread over at ADVrider somewhere that has a good idea that I've always wanted to try. Someone had taken about 8 small tie down straps and wrapped them around a tire and tube and cinched them down around the perimeter of the tire. Then they just wrestled the tire on without any spoons! They took the straps off, fished the valve stem through and aired up the tire.

[Pepperell]

I do my own tire changing with the HF tire machine with MC adapter.

Somewhere out on the web the tire manufacturers association forum recommended using vegetable (Wesson?) oil for lubrication. It works fine, been using it for years. Leaves no mess at the next change, no rust or corrosion on the rims. No, I can't get the tires to slip on the rim after mounting, even with 145 hp on tap. Stuff works great.

Of course, if you're mounting Pirelli's on a Ducati you should use Extra Virgin Olive Oil! :p

[rjfabricator]

Use Dyne Beads for Balancing

[Aldawg]

I do my own tire changing with the HF tire machine with MC adapter.

Somewhere out on the web the tire manufacturers association forum recommended using vegetable (Wesson?) oil for lubrication. It works fine, been using it for years. Leaves no mess at the next change, no rust or corrosion on the rims. No, I can't get the tires to slip on the rim after mounting, even with 145 hp on tap. Stuff works great.

Of course, if you're mounting Pirelli's on a Ducati you should use Extra Virgin Olive Oil! :p

Hey, don't I know you from the FJR forum?

[Trailace]

I use spray glass cleaner works good with no mess.

[SidecarMike]

I do my own tire changing with the HF tire machine with MC adapter.

Somewhere out on the web the tire manufacturers association forum recommended using vegetable (Wesson?) oil for lubrication. It works fine, been using it for years. Leaves no mess at the next change, no rust or corrosion on the rims. No, I can't get the tires to slip on the rim after mounting, even with 145 hp on tap. Stuff works great.

Of course, if you're mounting Pirelli's on a Ducati you should use Extra Virgin Olive Oil! :p
How do you like that tire machine? I just bought one but won't see it until after Christmas. It's a couple hundred miles from me. A friend is picking it up and will be "storing/borrowing" it until I get down there.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I bought a Coats 220 tire changer several years ago, shortly after I got into riding on the road. Since then I've done 24 of my own tires and 14 for others. It has paid for itself a few times over.

For balancing, I built a "knife-edge balancer" out of two pieces of angle iron mounted on four wooden posts. I use the axle from the bike sitting on the edges of the angle iron . It's the old "heavy spot down", put a weight opposite of that, until it balances. It works fine and the cost was minimal.

[Tin Bender]

Guess I should pipe in here because I too got tired of the ridiculous price being charged for what amounts to 10 minutes of work, less if using a powered changer (which seems to always scratch and ding wheels) to change and maybe 3-5 minutes to balance per tire. Plus, in some shops your lucky if you can get your tires back the same day.

Here in the So. Calif./San Diego area shops are charging upwards to $40-$50 per tire. That's bringing in the wheels, even more if they have to do the R/R off the wheels, again up to $50.00 per wheel!!!

Then they add in a tire disposal fee of $3.00-$4.00 which in reality is only $1.35 per tire per California fees added on if purchased in Ca. like from Chapparal. Then they add a Hazrdous Material disposal fee for the old lead weights and misc. shop material such as shop rags and what ever cleaner they use to clean the rims before adhering the weights!!!! When it's all said and done, to mount/balance your new $300 set of tires can cost upwards to $200.00!!!!!!! No way, never again.

On my old BMW RS, the tire guy used brake cleaner to clean the rims before adhering the weights. It totally removed the factory silver paint right down to the primer. Pissed me off!!!!! I now use a window cleaner and a quick wipe with isopropyl alcohol. Works just fine.

But, what really gets me is the terrible balancing that is done.

Fed up with this on my latest set of tires I started searching for tire machines. Harbor Freight no longer sells one, but Flea Bay vendors are selling the same machine for up to $500.00!!! Crazy!! Started looking into fabbing my own when one day I stumbled across a Craigs List ad selling the No-Mar Pro Jr. machine, brand new, never used with everything for $500!!! Could'nt say NO to that one.

Admittedly a bit more than what I wanted to spend but if all my M/C riding pals came on board to split the cost, then we'd all benefit. Added to that the Mark Parns balancer with cones to fit 95% of the street/dual sport bikes we ride, I'm all set.

Have changed 5 sets of tires now. Gotta tell you, the No-Mar is everything it's cracked up to be but the one thing that is really pissing me off is how badly the tires are balanced from other shops. Out of curiousity I've been checking the balance before dismounting. What I've found is so disappointing.

On my RT rear wheel I found 7 1/2 ounces of weight opposite the valve stem. Removed the weights and the wheel was almost perfect w/o any weights at all !!! And these were from a brand new set of Metzler's mounted at the local BMW dealer last year!!!! After mounting a new set of Michelin PR3's, it only need 3/4 oz. for perfect balance. Have'nt done a single tire yet that needed more than an ounce to balance out right.

Extreme but that is an example of what I'm finding with every single wheel I've worked on. Apparently the tire changers are told to just stick a bunch of weight opposite the valve stem and call it good.

It's no wonder I'm seeing such bad cupping on the tires I replace.

Do yourself and your riding pals a favor...build or buy some kind of changer, a decent balancer and save a ton of $$ and rest easy knowing it's been done right by someone that cares about doing it RIGHT!!!!! After a few changes, it pretty much pays for it's self.

[BeemMeUp]

Yup Tin Bender, sounds like my experience with some of the shops here in Michigan. Most get about $40 to mount and half-a$$ balance if you take the wheel into them. I do most wheels for $20 on my No-Mar if they take them off. I figure I should get a little bit to offset the cost of the machine. Most tires have a dot to line up on the valve stem. I have found I rarely use more than 1/2 oz to balance the tires.

[Tin Bender]

BeemMeUp...

Yup, that's pretty much what I'm doing. If you are one of my pals that contributed to the cause, the only charge is a 6 pack of barley therapy juice. If NOT, then $20.00 per wheel and barley therapy juice.

Still tons cheaper than the local shops plus they get to see just how half assed the original vs. the new balance is. So far that's sold everyone on that feature alone.

The only problem with that is these SOB's expect to sit around drinking 1/2 of my barley therapy juice. Phooey!!!! Bustin' tires is thirsty work, save some for me!!!

Did a set of Shinko's dual sport tires on a Wee-Stom the other day using the painted balance dot aligned with the valve stem...front:3/8 oz, rear:3/4 oz. Surprisiingly good. Wait to see how they wear????

[George]

First trick to learn when changing yur own tars, don't worry 'bout scratching the rims. Saves a lot of time and yur gonna scratch'em anyway. :D

Static balance if any at all. I can change the tars and have bike back on the road in the time it would take to get down to a retail shop 'n back.