is it all that hard? i've changed dirt bike tyres before, it looks about the same. i do all my own work but i'm alittle leary about this one. i printed the tire changing thread and i'm going to look over it a little more when i have time. what do ya think?

Road bike tires are a little different than dirt bike tires. It's been a while, do dirt bikes still use inner tubes? If so its a big difference basically the inner tube does the job of holing the air for the tire and the tire protects the tube and keeps the tube connected to the frame. The tires and side walls are usually much more plyable than a road bikes to the point of being able to use "milk levers" to pull the tire off the rim. Like a bicycle. Road bikes on ther other hand do not have an inner tube. The rubber and other compounds are usually much more rigid especiall the low profile tires. The tires are also harder to seat because the bead around the edge of the tire does the sealing. Generally if your looking to save buck remove your wheel from the bike and take only the wheel in for the tire change.

you can do it........but it is very hard to do right, and it is VERY easy to bend a wheel.

So you decide, $20.00 for the shop to do it, or $350.00 for a new rim....

Being doing my own for 6 years now, never even came close to bending a rim. Do them for all my friends also, we have some home made equipment that gets the job done just fine.

i got this system to do it. www.tireqwik.com/tireqwik/index.html (http://www.tireqwik.com/tireqwik/index.html)
I can get tires off, but i can't get new ones on. its a bitch, i need a jig or something to hold the rim in place so i can go around the tire better. but setting a bead and balancing is easy if you use your own air compressor.

klipsch_gixxer said:

i got this system to do it. www.tireqwik.com/tireqwik/index.html (http://www.tireqwik.com/tireqwik/index.html)
I can get tires off, but i can't get new ones on. its a bitch, i need a jig or something to hold the rim in place so i can go around the tire better. but setting a bead and balancing is easy if you use your own air compressor.



It jus takes two guys to get the tires on, its a hell of a lot eaiser that way.

As a side note...the shops around here charge $50-$60 to change tires...bastards http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bash.gif
I would jump at the chance to pay $20....oh yeah thats if you don't buy from them, if you get tires from them it's free but you pay a shit load more for the tires.... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bs.gif....it just chaps my ass

when i changed my front and rear tire recently i took them off and put them back on myself but u will need a shop with a mounting machine to mount and balance your tires. i payed $20 a piece to mount and balance compared to like $180.00 if i had brought my bike in and let them do everything. not sure how u can change the tires yourself without a machine but their easy to get on and off. you'll need stands of course

If you are going to do it here is a good read that may help.
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html
http://www.geocities.com/sl_mille/general/mount.html

fun2fly said:

If you are going to do it here is a good read that may help.
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html




i had printed this out and been studying it. when i compared dirt bike and street bike tires i ment getting the tire on and off. the shop i go to charges $20 for the front and $35 for the rear and you have to buy the tyres there. their prices arn't bad but i could save like $100 doing it myself.

a4srad said:


fun2fly said:

If you are going to do it here is a good read that may help.
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html




i had printed this out and been studying it. when i compared dirt bike and street bike tires i ment getting the tire on and off. the shop i go to charges $20 for the front and $35 for the rear and you have to buy the tyres there. their prices arn't bad but i could save like $100 doing it myself.




I threw up a few links for you. I really do not understand what you are asking? Did you read the links I gave you then go back and edit your original post because when I first read it you said nothing of printing something and reading it. If you are comparing it to dirt tires then intuitively you will have to go by feel but both links provide very detailed instructions on road tires. If you are an expert on dirt tires then I can't see much of a problem with street tires.

fun2fly said:


a4srad said:


fun2fly said:

If you are going to do it here is a good read that may help.
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html




i had printed this out and been studying it. when i compared dirt bike and street bike tires i ment getting the tire on and off. the shop i go to charges $20 for the front and $35 for the rear and you have to buy the tyres there. their prices arn't bad but i could save like $100 doing it myself.




I threw up a few links for you. I really do not understand what you are asking? Did you read the links I gave you then go back and edit your original post because when I first read it you said nothing of printing something and reading it. If you are comparing it to dirt tires then intuitively you will have to go by feel but both links provide very detailed instructions on road tires. If you are an expert on dirt tires then I can't see much of a problem with street tires.



http://www.humorvillage.com/funpages/texas1.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifnope, didn't edit. i didnt figure it was too different. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

jake_s said:

As a side note...the shops around here charge $50-$60 to change tires...bastards http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bash.gif
I would jump at the chance to pay $20....oh yeah thats if you don't buy from them, if you get tires from them it's free but you pay a shit load more for the tires.... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bs.gif....it just chaps my ass



Im in the new york area and I called a shop and they said 75 to mount tires if u bring your own http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/wtf.gif that was my response , it almost equals the amoun to a new OK tire

a4srad said:


fun2fly said:


a4srad said:


fun2fly said:

If you are going to do it here is a good read that may help.
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html




i had printed this out and been studying it. when i compared dirt bike and street bike tires i ment getting the tire on and off. the shop i go to charges $20 for the front and $35 for the rear and you have to buy the tyres there. their prices arn't bad but i could save like $100 doing it myself.




I threw up a few links for you. I really do not understand what you are asking? Did you read the links I gave you then go back and edit your original post because when I first read it you said nothing of printing something and reading it. If you are comparing it to dirt tires then intuitively you will have to go by feel but both links provide very detailed instructions on road tires. If you are an expert on dirt tires then I can't see much of a problem with street tires.



http://www.humorvillage.com/funpages/texas1.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifnope, didn't edit. i didnt figure it was too different. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif




WEST VIRGINIA...............Well, that explains it, the kin folks said a4srad move away from there, california is the place you otta be so he loaded up his srad and moved to beverly

fun2fly said:


a4srad said:


fun2fly said:


a4srad said:


fun2fly said:

If you are going to do it here is a good read that may help.
http://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing-doc.html




i had printed this out and been studying it. when i compared dirt bike and street bike tires i ment getting the tire on and off. the shop i go to charges $20 for the front and $35 for the rear and you have to buy the tyres there. their prices arn't bad but i could save like $100 doing it myself.




I threw up a few links for you. I really do not understand what you are asking? Did you read the links I gave you then go back and edit your original post because when I first read it you said nothing of printing something and reading it. If you are comparing it to dirt tires then intuitively you will have to go by feel but both links provide very detailed instructions on road tires. If you are an expert on dirt tires then I can't see much of a problem with street tires.



http://www.humorvillage.com/funpages/texas1.gif http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifnope, didn't edit. i didnt figure it was too different. http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif




WEST VIRGINIA...............Well, that explains it, the kin folks said a4srad move away from there, california is the place you otta be so he loaded up his srad and moved to beverly




whats that suppose to mean

someday you have to learn :wacko

Do it yourself! It makes you feel good. No slave to some shop that doesn't give a shit.

i changed mine with a flat bar ans a long flat head screwdriver with some windex.. goto youtube there are a bunch o videos that show u tips that help you out its pretty easy when u get the hang of it

As a side note...the shops around here charge $50-$60 to change tires...bastards http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bash.gif
I would jump at the chance to pay $20....oh yeah thats if you don't buy from them, if you get tires from them it's free but you pay a shit load more for the tires.... http://www.gixxer.com/forums/images/graemlins/bs.gif....it just chaps my ass


Are you talking loose wheels? Im a mec in a shop here in UK, changing tyres ON the bike (anysportbike) is 1 hour a set, £40. loose wheels are 5£ each (not balanced). I care, never scratched a rim.:cheers

+1 on No Mar Tire Changer
It'll pay for itself in no time and saves ALOT of sweating and cussing! :biggrin

Not to mention it's made by some good folks right here in the good ol USA!

I change all my dirt bike & sportbike tires by myself with no more than $25 worth of common hardware. And I found a static balancer at Harbor Freight for $60, you can find them on ebay as well. Two tire spoons ($11), Two rim savers ($3), dish soap (or pledge) and a wall mounted 2x4 bead breaker. I can have those tires off the bike, mounted, balanced and back on the bike in under one hour. All done with patience, care & minimal sweat (unless it's summer)

WEST VIRGINIA...............Well, that explains it, the kin folks said a4srad move away from there, california is the place you otta be so he loaded up his srad and moved to beverly

I live in West Virginia... :D

Actually about 15 miles south of the guy that started this thread. I have a No Mar tire machine mounted into my floor of my garage. I change all my own tires. Have for about 12+ years now. Used to do it all with Rim Savers and Tire Irons, then I invested some money in a nice tire machine...

I change all my dirt bike & sportbike tires by myself with no more than $25 worth of common hardware. And I found a static balancer at Harbor Freight for $60, you can find them on ebay as well. Two tire spoons ($11), Two rim savers ($3), dish soap (or pledge) and a wall mounted 2x4 bead breaker. I can have those tires off the bike, mounted, balanced and back on the bike in under one hour. All done with patience, care & minimal sweat (unless it's summer)

under an hour? are you talk about sportbike tires in under an hour? i tried that once and took me forever.

I change all my dirt bike & sportbike tires by myself with no more than $25 worth of common hardware. And I found a static balancer at Harbor Freight for $60, you can find them on ebay as well. Two tire spoons ($11), Two rim savers ($3), dish soap (or pledge) and a wall mounted 2x4 bead breaker. I can have those tires off the bike, mounted, balanced and back on the bike in under one hour. All done with patience, care & minimal sweat (unless it's summer)

I know your right, because I did it that way for years. Only I had 6 rim savers and 3 spoons. I actually used to use the spoons to pop the bead.

However... My days of busted knuckles, dripping with sweat, and fighting them are done.. The No Mar Tire changing machine was the best money ever spent.

My days of busted knuckles, dripping with sweat, and fighting them are done.. The No Mar Tire changing machine was the best money ever spent.

Which model did you get?

So, in Morgantown WVa, where can get my bike's tires changed? ...other than the place in the mileground of course. I bought new tires online, BT45's, to save money of course, but I don't want to change them myself. I can take the wheels out, no problem. Where do I take them?

Here is a good video someone had posted on another thread a while back.

I tried it and it was not at easy as he makes it out to be on the video.
I did end up damaging the rim, thankfully I do know how to repair it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pfp2Z9k0n0

I know what you mean. It is not as easy as it looks. I gave up on spoons and got a Harbor Freight tire changer. Even that takes good technique and practice. It gets easier with every tire change though. After about 10 changes or so, I stopped having to fight to get it on or off.

I wanted to see him pop the bead off by hand, that tire looked soft and beat to hell because how easy it slid off the rim. I want to see him do it with a brand new stiff tire and see how easily he can get it off and on

iv always wanted to have a go , but its a bit like sewing your own underwear , spose you can , but should you !!!!!!

I'd like to change my own as well, as expected Cycle gear scratched the life out of my spotless rim. I almost fainted on the spot.

I change my own tires. The process I use is almost identical to the video.
3 tire irons, 3 rim savers, bead lubricant or soapy water in a spray bottle and a bead breaker get it done.
I like to work off the ground though and use a 25 gal drum when dismounting the tire.
The secrets to easy dismounting/mounting are warm tires with slippery beads.
You can mount a new tire about 2/3rd of the way on with no tools at all.
I won't say I have never nicked my rims but i will say the process is not nearly as difficult as some folks would believe.

I got a buddy that used to change them with just a little Pirelli bead breaker and a set of spoons. He did this for years until he got a professional setup . hell he could change a set of tires in 30 minutes balanced and mounted. Put you a nice set of race scuffs on. As far as the bead, a lighter and a can of ether(starting fluid) will take care of that.

I have the cycle hill tire changer from no mar and it's been worth every penny

http://www.cyclehilltirechanger.com/products/home

I have the cycle hill tire changer from no mar and it's been worth every penny

http://www.cyclehilltirechanger.com/products/home

just saw this review on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOlFE_JHCqQ

it seems pretty straight forward and looks like a good investment. are there any concerns with doing this yourself? ie. screwing up and the tire blows up when youre on the road? is it really as easy as it looks in the vid?

just saw this review on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOlFE_JHCqQ

it seems pretty straight forward and looks like a good investment. are there any concerns with doing this yourself? ie. screwing up and the tire blows up when youre on the road? is it really as easy as it looks in the vid?

It's just like the video. I have done street tires, tires for trackdays and endurrance race tires. no problems with any of them

I also use the No Mar. Works great for exotic rims like Marchesini or BST carbon fiber wheels.

Changing tires even with a a nice set of tools is an aquired skill. The more you do, the easier it gets. Many tricks, like even where you place the valve stem when installing the tire can make a big diffeence. If the tire is catching on the valve stem as it goes into the drop center it can make it real hard to get the new tire on.