tire changes

what do you use to change your cycles tires, #1 screwdrivers, #2 irons w/screwdrivers :S , #3 tire changer :ohmy: or #4 let some one else do it :blush: #5 other (explain). :silly: :silly: Add on #6 tire changer :ohmy: :blush:


Duh! guess I should have put tire changer as #6

turboking wrote: what do you use to change your cycles tires, #1 screwdrivers, #2 irons w/screwdrivers :S , #3 tire changer :ohmy: or #4 let some one else do it :blush: #5 other (explain). :silly: :silly:

#4 all day long. Changing tires is an enormous pain in the @ss :pinch:

Tire irons. Get the long ones; the short ones are awful. Use rim protectors so you don't damage the rims, you can make these if you wish. Use tire mounting lube when installing the new tires. After you have changed your own tires 10 or 20 times you will find it gets easier. Ed

I use three long irons with rim protectors. The hardest part is breaking the tire lose so I drive on it with the car.

someday I will get something like thishttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-High-Performance-Tire-Changer-Portable-Bead-Breaker-For-Yamaha-Suzuki-/271142559215?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item3f215b1def&vxp=mtr

You can use a C-Clamp to break lose the bead, and I suggest tire irons approximately 10" long.
Longer irons just give you more leverage so you can do more damage.

If you elect to have a shop change them, check the tire pressure afterwards so you don't attempt to break 200 mph at a Land Speed Track with 15 psi in the tires

I do all the work on my bikes (except for boring cylinders and cutting valve seats) including tire changes.

I broke a C clamp So got the explorer out

Here are the irons I use (Part # 08-0005 - see link). My old irons are 2" shorter and even though that doesn't sound like much it makes a big difference.

www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0005/

650ed wrote: Here are the irons I use (Part # 08-0005 - see link). My old irons are 2" shorter and even though that doesn't sound like much it makes a big difference.

www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0005/

Yep, me too, but I was off by an inch on the length :laugh:

Long tire irons and a lot of them the more the better or have it done at the tire store.
Mark

I always change my own and have for nearly 40 years now, so I will never ever scratch a wheel or pinch a tube after all this practice I'll brag. Well there is still the errors that happen, but it's worth it to me to do my own. Of course tubeless wheels and even some of the tube type ones, the bead needs a clamp or beadbreaker to break loose from the wheel.
I like these little 10 1/2" irons
pitposse.com/101sptiir.html and use 3 with cheap plastic rim protectors. This usually works. KZ tires are usually very easy, but brands vary.
Sometimes on a tough one I'll use the 21" spoons from Nomar. These only work for mounting, not demounting a tire.
www.nomartirechanger.com/category_s/39.htm
Look at the Nomar site for helpful hints for doing tire changes. Of course it is geared towards their items, but the principles can be applied even working on your hands and knees. I recommend the Momar dedicated tire lube in both paste and spray versions highly. Don't use soap/water. It causes rust and corrosion and actually can cause loss of seal on tubeless rims.

slayer61 wrote:

turboking wrote: what do you use to change your cycles tires, #1 screwdrivers, #2 irons w/screwdrivers :S , #3 tire changer :ohmy: or #4 let some one else do it :blush: #5 other (explain). :silly: :silly:

#4 all day long. Changing tires is an enormous pain in the @ss :pinch:

Amen. I did them when I was young. Now I am old and have a bad back, neck, wrists, etc.....

The trick is to buy the tires at a shop that throws the mount and balance in free.

If you want to do it yourself, get a very good set of tire irons.