CHANGING YOUR OWN TIRES ?

hondacl360 · Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject: CHANGING YOUR OWN TIRES ?

JUST WONDERING IF MOST OF YOU GUYS CHANGE YOUR OWN TIRES ON YOUR OLD BIKES OR DO YOU HAVE A SHOP DO IT ?

Barchetta · Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 11:04 pm Post subject:

I had the shop do mine, I brought them in off the bike. Not too expensive, quick, and they didn't scratch up the chrome. Smile

AnKhe105 · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 6:40 am Post subject:

I do my own but then again the bikes I'm working on and have fixed up are not show quality. They look nice but not perfect rims, etc. I hate to rely on someone else for something I can do myself. Might think differently with a perfect bike.

Scrambled · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 6:48 am Post subject:

Like most old bike repairs, I've found it difficult to get anyone to change the tires on my bikes. This time of year they are too busy doing more profitable work on newer bikes. They also want a lot of money to change a tire and it's a hassle to bring it, leave it and pick it up later.

When I changed my front tire on my CL175, the inside of the rim had some rust Shocked

. I know, big shock there. I was glad I was doing the work because I took the time to clean it up. I'm sure a shop would have just slapped on the new tire and moved it out the door.

Next is the back tire. Unfortunately, I've probably forgotten all that I learned last year when I did the front tire.

JumboJet · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 7:48 am Post subject:

I just did my tires and my buddies on our Cubs over the weekend. There is nothing to it (at least on those small 17" rims, not sure about larger tires). I literally did all 4 tires in about 40 minutes, and that included taking the old ones off, new tubes and rim straps. They are really easy to do, I just let the new tires sit in the sun for about an hour to get them flexible, sprayed some WD40 on the rim and they slid right over. The local tire shop charges $15 to mount a tire, so it was an easy $60 savings.

H2Lou · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:04 am Post subject:

As a rule I always do my own...once when i was very busy i thought i would save time getting a reputable shop in London to do it for me.
They got this kid that knew dick about bikes to put the tube and tire on...last time that will ever happen.
Damn near killed me...tire blew on the 403 series highway...yes, i was doing a bit over the speed limit. Twisted Evil

The unsupervised, untrained yard ape idiot put a 2” diameter tube in my 4” tire...my eye still twitches a bit thinking of the ride i had getting the bike slowed down. Evil or Very Mad

I enjoy changing my tires, I am never to busy to do it and it's very Zen. Cool

dorT500 · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:21 am Post subject:

I have to take my hat off to people that change their own tires....not me. I take the loose wheel/wheels to a dealer. I am also concerned about mars on a nice rim and this vintage hobby comes with enough frustrations as it is. One time I was having a new tire installed at the dealer and asked the guy doing the work how much those automatic tire machines cost. I believe he said around $4000.00 but a used one...I think he said around $1500. HHmmm......if you have 4 or 5 riders in your neighborhood all pitch in and you can find one for sale in your city.......??? not bad. Here is just one link about a guy and a machine that was thinking along the same lines.....don't know about this particular one....as far as quality and longevity you may "get what you pay for". As far as balancing, there is a redorange dot on the tire..well, on Dunlops, and some others.. that is suppose to be lined up at the valve stem.....the last couple of times I went in the dealer with new Dunlops...the spin balance showed I did not even need any balance weight added.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/motorcycle-tire-changer/

Edit: More info on tire changing and home balance http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=280815

650BILL · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject:

All in what you wanna do. I've got a local country garage (for my car work) that I took my 650 COMSTARS/new tires to a year ago. He never did bike tires on his machine. Went back the next day to pick up...he says "how much should I charge ya??" I said your shop, you tell me..."OK then, how 'bout 20 bucks & a 6 pack? I SAID FINE WITH ME!! SOLD! 650BILL

Blue · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 4:22 pm Post subject: too old,done to many

Okay so I'm 64 and I have changed my share of tires and fixed about the same number on the road. I am still prepared to do that, but when it comes to doing it myself, not anymore. I just had a tire put on the 79 Yamaha 650 today and I took it off and brought it to the shop. I didn't even want to take it off, but only got the bike 3 weeks ago and they are dry, cracked, bald and rotted, so in order to save my life I suffered through removal, I started with the rear and the front will be easier, but in my age group....a good shop is where it's at.....Blue

hondacl360 · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 4:32 pm Post subject:

okay , thanks guys . but what about balancing those tires don't you need a machine for that ?

DaveG · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 5:36 pm Post subject:

I change my own tires. These Southern Illinois backroads are mostly chip and tar which eats up tires fast. It would be too expensive to have it done every time.

Russell · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 6:03 pm Post subject:

Yamaha sell a spray on tyre bead lube that works brilliantly.Almost miraculous. Trouble is when you are as clumsy as me its horrible stuff to get off the bits(once dried) you should never have got it onto in the first place.With the wonder product on the Yamaha stand, a big rubber mallet,and judicious placement of your heavy treaded boots around the tyre you may not even need those tyre pinching, rim scratching, levers!

dorT500 · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 6:05 pm Post subject:

650BILL · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 6:46 pm Post subject:

Go w/dorT500, man. Centerstand for rear, couple of 2x4's under front. Piece a cake. 650bill

hondacl360 · Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject:

thanks , think i will do it myself