[Norbert]

I have been riding for a number of years now and wanted to ask if others have the same problem that I suffer from. It seems like every time that I take my bike in for new tires the wheels wind up getting scratched or scuffed badly enough for me to wince when I next wash the bike and notice them.
At least 3 shops have done this to my bikes and I just assume this is normal?
A friend and I have discussed going in on a No-Mar brand as the local shops charge about $100 to change your tires and scratch your wheels...
Any similar experiences or do i just live somewhere the tire guys are extremely unskilled/rough?:sad010:

 

[BLaDE06]

You are not alone bro. I noticed my rear was scratched after putting on some new rubber at the end of last year. I guess its normal with the local shops. Its not theirs so they dont mind if it gets scratched. As far as the $100 bucks to change your tires. Are you letting them take them off and put them on your bike? If so you might want to see how much they charge if you just bring them your rims. I pay around $40 taking the shop just the rims and mounting them myself. That still doesnt prevent them from scratching up your rims. If I had some CZ's or March's I would have been very upset and seen about a replacement fro scratching them.

 

[Captain Wallabee]

Be prepared ahead of time. Go the beauty salon and get the funky colored touch-up paint. Make sure that if they put a new mark in it, you shouldn't be paying for the install. Hint...get it done at a Harley dealer. They don't do that stuff there!!!!!!!

 

[Norbert]

Thanks Blade, $100 is them pulling the wheels and my purchasing the tires elsewhere (ridedirect.com, awesome people and prices). I have a rear stand but am too chicken to try and pull the wheels myself, what type of front stand are you using and how difficult is removing wheels?opcorn2:

 

[Norbert]

Hey Cap'n W, are you serious about using the Harley shop to mount tires? Hate to sound dumb but do Harley riders not tolerate sub-standard service as their bikes cost $20K?
Thanks for the response.

 

[Captain Wallabee]

Hey Cap'n W, are you serious about using the Harley shop to mount tires? Hate to sound dumb but do Harley riders not tolerate sub-standard service as their bikes cost $20K?
Thanks for the response.

Alotta chrome on those. So no, they don't play that shit!!!!! They were using No-Mars before they were popular.

 

[Norbert]

Will give the local HD shop a try when I am due for a set, thanks Cap!

 

[2008 RR]

what type of front stand are you using

 

[Munki]

wow, is all I can say

 

[blacknight1]

I think its pretty common as well. It has happened to me. Good idea about the Harley shop

 

[repsolguy]

to scuff or not

any quality tire machine will have nylon slide guards for the arm that pulls the tire off the rim, and that would be a precaution only if the machine was not adjusted/set properly, if a shop ever scuffed any of my wheels i would walk out without paying a f ing dime, if the installer was worth a shit, it can be done without any finish flaws

 

[philip1000rr]

Thanks Blade, $100 is them pulling the wheels and my purchasing the tires elsewhere (ridedirect.com, awesome people and prices). I have a rear stand but am too chicken to try and pull the wheels myself, what type of front stand are you using and how difficult is removing wheels?

Rear wheel can be a pain in the ass to get back on because the rear brake disk likes to get caught on the caliper, but once you've done it a few times it's very simple. Just slide the axle out, push the wheel forward, lift the chain off the sprocket and place it to the side, move the rear brake caliper out of the way and the wheel slides out the back of the swingarm. It goes back in the same way in reverse. Make sure to line up the caliper and mount with the wheel's axle opening and slide it into the swingarm, don't try to lift up from the ground.

The front is stupid simple to take off - Pull the 4 bolts holding the brake calipers down, move them to the side. Remove the bolt at the end of the axle. Put the bolt back in about 3 threads into the axle. Loosen the 4 bolts at the bottom of forks that pinch the axle. Once they are loose, take a hammer and lightly tap on that bolt at the end of the axle that is now sticking out until the bolt bottoms out and the axle sticks out at the other side. Grab the axle, twist and pull. Takes maybe 5 minutes, even if you're being extremely careful.

 

[morton pigwhistle]

just got my wheels back from shop.....scratched up to the mofo...not happy will most likely remove the paint and polish them now:sad010::th_down:

 

[cbrjunkie]

im anal about my stuff staying nice!!!!! i cover my wheels painted surfaces....not the spokes just the lips with painters tape. first time i did that the guy at the shop looked at me funny and i told him i do not want them scratched. if they are when the new tires are on your shop will be paying to paint them. they never scratched my wheels:thumbsup: