SURVEY: How Do You Change a Tire?

Changing tires was never my favorite thing and it's been a long time since I did it. The FSM says something that makes no sense:

They say that before you fit the new tire onto the rim, you insert the tube into the tire (stick the stem into the rim) then putt it onto the rim.

I'm not sure how that's possible and I would think it might pinch the tube.

Do you force one side of the tire back onto the rim first...

Then put in the bead locks, then insert the tube and finally pry down the last bead?


I'd appreciate any tricks that make this easier as I sucked at it even when I was young and I am old now....:laugh:

The local Honda Powerhouse Dealer does mine! I did one once, didn't like it, now I do it there, only costs $20 since I buy my tires there too. Its the only thing on my bike I get anyone else to do, because I HATE doing it.

When I used to do it I would put one side on, put in the tube, give it a little air, put the other side on.

the first thing i do when i'm changing tires on a freshly bought z'r is shitcan the bead locks they are not needed unless you are restoring the bike. then it makes tire changing easy. like don said put one side on, then put baby powder on the tube so the levers will slide off the tube instead of bite in to the tube. i always put the valve stem in the hole and then put the nut on a few threads not tight, the spread the tube around the rest of way. when that is done i pump the tube up so it straightens the wrinkles and folds out. then i put the valve core back in and put a bit of air into the tube so you have a tougher time pinching it with your levers i normally like to use the michilen type levers as opposed to the straight levers i have 3 that i normally use when im doing a tire. MAKE SURE TO USE PLENTY OF LUBE IMPORTANT ON THE BEADS OF THE TIRE.if i'm at home i use dish soap,in the shop we use tire lube do not use grease or any type of oils they can break down the rubber in the tube and tire.then start working the free side onto the wheel. you should be able to get about 1/2 or 3/4 of the tire on to the rim before you ever have touch the levers. make sure the bead you have just put on stays down in the drop center of the wheelthan take small bites of the tire no more than 2" or so and work your way around the tire. until you get it all on. if it tightens up and you find yourself forcing it take smaller bites and double check that the tire is down in the drop center. you should have it on. turn the tire by hand until the valve stem straightens out then tighten the nut. put the air to it and bead it up. try not to use more than 40 lbs in it to bead up.if it dosen't go right away empty the air and break down the beads relube again it should go now. hopefully this helps you out. now i have to rest my finger that was tough with one finger

Good advice here on changing tires...but not to be flippant, I'd rather fork over the US$60 to change two tires than do it myself...I found it to be that much of a hassle...most other things I'll tackle:)

come on now wouldn't that 60 dollars be better spent on other things, think of all the fun you could be having in your shop late at night really late at the night before your big trip.and you have just started on your second tire, yah your right what was the number of that freekin bike shop again.thanks for your contribution to the starving mechanics of america fund.

timebomb33 wrote:

come on now wouldn't that 60 dollars be better spent on other things, think of all the fun you could be having in your shop late at night really late at the night before your big trip.and you have just started on your second tire, yah your right what was the number of that freekin bike shop again.thanks for your contribution to the starving mechanics of america fund.

I enabling Obama's plan to pump money back into the economy...changing tires for America:)

well that mighty kind of you maybe you should think of sending any thing you have extra to that large third world country to the north since we are about to go into the depression with you guys.

I've heard or read about losing the bead locks before. I replaced the rear tires on both the 750 and 1000 (wire spokes) but continue to have a balance problems on both no matter what balance method I use (including spreading the weight equally apart and dynamic balance). Both rims are within specs, but I'm wondering if the bead locks are whats causing the problem. I'm between 2-3 oz. to balance. Hope this isn't considered a hijack but if your changing tires you gotta balance them too. I don't do wheelies or burnouts. Pat

I used to change my own tires when they were the softy sidewalls but now the sidewalls are alot stiffer and much more difficult to do.

Believe it or not, I found a place here in Phoenix where they don't charge an installation fee.... Seriously!

Cycle Gear on Cave Creek Road for those that live here...

Now before you jump up and say they mark up the tire prices to compensate, nope, same prices as I've found off the internet.

As a kid, I remember what a biatch it was to change a dirt bike tire. I couldn't imagine try to change one of these 180mm tires with hand tools... :pinch: :blink: :whistle:

The local Kawi shop charges $25 per tire... I'd still go this route versus breaking knuckles and skin trying to accomplish myself.

Pay the little money and get it done by a shop...

OMR

Off to Harbor Freight tools.... :laugh:

For under a $100, you can go this route.... The cheap one is just a little over the $30 per tire fees...

Now our wifes would ask "Honey what do you neeed that for" and our replies would be, "Sweetie, you miss understood where I don;t need that tool, I WANT that tool"...

Plummen, help me out here brother, Homer with drool! :laugh:

OMR

I bought a coats 220 tir changer........works perfect!