Changing your own tires

4784 Views 26 Replies 19 Participants Last post by sfv_rider, Sep 15, 2009

camman

Discussion Starter · Apr 22, 2009

I was just wondering how many of you guy if any change and balance your own tires?

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

JBAXX

· #2 · Apr 23, 2009

I do my own.

Hardest part is breaking the bead, but I work in a shop so I can use the bead-breaker on the tire machine. I put the wheel/tire assembly on a 14" steel car wheel (tire removed) with the rim covered with duct tape to prevent scratching the bike wheel. If you try do do it on the ground or a workbench you will bend your rotors.

With some tire irons and a little practice, you can change a tire pretty easily, although the first couple will be a learning experience.

I balance the tires right on the bike by mounting the wheel assembly on the axle - just leave the brake calipers and/or the chain off so the wheel can spin freely. Spin the wheel slowly and let it stop. The heavy part of the wheel will stop at the bottom. Mark the spot and add weight to the opposite side of the wheel to balance it out (takes a little trial and error). Put the bike back together and ride the thing!

This is admittedly a low-budget way of doing it, but it works and I never have to let a snotty-nosed kid touch my bike. :thumbsup:

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philip1000rr

· #3 · Apr 23, 2009

I got a no-mar tire changer and it works pretty well. The first few tries are a pain in the ass so do it with your spare rims if you have an extra set lying around. The good thing about the no-mar setup is with the plastic tips they have it really does seem hard to leave any scratches at all on your rims. Once you've done it a few times it gets easy.

CharlieHo

· #4 · Apr 23, 2009

I use a regular car tire machine, yes I'm blessed in that matter.

I've never balanced a motorcycle wheel/tire and have never felt an imbalance in probably 15-20 sets.

CNI Dawg

· #5 · Apr 23, 2009

Been doing it for a couple years now - mine & my buddys

Got the Harbor freight tire changer & wheel balancer.

Paid for themselves in the 1st year doing my street & track tire changes

added a set of these to keep from scratching the rims
http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoblocks.htm
(used duct tape before - have to change tape every other tire change)

Also use Motion pro rim savers & tire levers
Brad can get you a good price on these
1-828-252-2280

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freak show

· #6 · Apr 23, 2009

I've got a No-Mar and it's the best thing I've ever bought when it comes to changing my tires.

mezcal

· #7 · Apr 23, 2009

The car wheel or 16 gallon steel drum works great. Harbor freight sells a cheap balancer and a bead breaker.

rebillet

· #8 · Apr 23, 2009

Buy the no mar. It works great and pays for itself quickly.

honda 1

· #9 · Apr 23, 2009

No Mar

freak show said:
I've got a No-Mar and it's the best thing I've ever bought when it comes to changing my tires.

Ditto!:hail:

bulldog

· #10 · Apr 24, 2009

2x4's, tire spoons, patience, couple busted knuckles, scratched wheels, SAVING $$$$ and loving it. Balance? don't have a clue what that is

but i'm going to try the ^ method while on the bike. haven't had any issues yet w/out balancing them though.

camman

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 25, 2009

Bead breaker

Can you guy post some pictures of the bead breakers you use to change your own tires.

xrated

· #12 · May 25, 2009

NoMar Jr. Pro for me, for the last 2 years or so. I go through a lot of tires. Between my wife and I having street and trackbikes, sometimes it seems like all I do is change tires. NoMar .........has simplified my life and saved me tons of money and the INCONVENIENCE of having to take wheels to a dealer and let them scratch my wheel and rape my A$$ for their less than perfect job. Oh BTW, Marc Parnes balancer and a home made stand for it......perfect!

bulldog

· #13 · May 26, 2009

i stealed this from another site, not me, but you get the picture:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4711095_build-motorcycle-tire-changer.html

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mezcal

· #14 · May 26, 2009

Balancer and bead breaker from Harbor Freight. Changer is a 14" car rim with some fire hose on top. Got just over a hundred bucks in this setup.

Tire changer:

Balancer:

Bead breaker:

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3

Javyday

· #15 · May 26, 2009

I use a Harbor Freight changer with a No-Mar bar. It works great once you get the hang of it. I have a balancing stand too. When I get the extra money I will get the No-Mar changer too.

billywwjd

· #16 · May 28, 2009

Here is a video on changing sportbike tires

lexus rx

· #17 · May 28, 2009

another +1 for the no-mar.

skribblah

· #18 · May 31, 2009

i got the low end no mar, the cycle hill changer. at 400 shipped *with the yellow thing

it is so fukkin cool! i love changing my tires now. and i got a ebay balancers with stickey weights... very cool.

unforgiven

· #19 · May 31, 2009

skribblah said:
i got the low end no mar, the cycle hill changer. at 400 shipped *with the yellow thing

it is so fukkin cool! i love changing my tires now. and i got a ebay balancers with stickey weights... very cool.

That looks like a pretty nice changer! How do you have it mounted for use?

Sticka

· #20 · May 31, 2009

I have my own pneumatic tire machine and balancer....they paid for them selves very quickly.

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