taking off a tire

[oscar_sande]

Can one, by him or her self, take the tire off the alloy by simple use of their hands and tools found in the home? Or does it require a proper specialist machine??

 

[gamorg02]

Can one, by him or her self, take the tire off the alloy by simple use of their hands and tools found in the home? Or does it require a proper specialist machine??

you 'can', probably with some big screwdrivers. but i sure as hell wouldn't want to. tire irons would help but you're probably going to scratch the hell out of the tire. no tire changing places nearby?

 

[[email protected]]

It can be done but takes some tools and ingenuity to do it without damaging anything. Do a google search and you will find all kinds of info. I've done my own dirtbike tires before, never did them on a street bike.

I've been considering making my own static balancer and buying some stick on weights and also coming up with something to use to hold the rim while removing/installing tires. Just not sure if I'm abitious enough to follow up or just keep paying 25-$30 per/wheel at the local shop. I don't really log a ton of miles so I'm only doing one set a season so its not a huge expense for me to change tires each year but I like projects.

 

[one2dmax]

They make tire "spoons" to allow for changing the tire with only the hand tools. It's a lot harder but can be done. They even have those spoons available to do the work on the side of the road.

It's not all that hard to take it down to most car tire stores and have them use a "rim clamp" machine. if they ask you if it's for a motorcycle they are likely going to be scared of doing it. It's the same as any other tire just a slightly narrower bead. You can tell them it's for a front tire on a dune buggy and they won't even flinch that way.

Sean

 

[one2dmax]

Oh, and by they way I can sell you the tools to do the job by hand (and probably the expensive tools if you want power too).

Sean

 

[oscar_sande]

there are a few places minutes from where i live than can pop the tire off, i was just interested to know if it could be done by hand as if it were a bicycle

 

[shelton.root]

you can remove a tire with 2x4's, use two to support tire, one as lever and one to push down on tire. I saw an examples of mounting the "lever" to the 2x4 that goes against the tire on a bolt. But I just cut the end that goes against tire at a 30 degree angle and used the frame of a truck to lever off of. But you can use any fixed point. U tube it and there are quite a few examples. From experience if you care about your rim don't use screwdrivers/prybars. Your can buy spoons but over time I have collected/found a few "spoons" from old oem repair kits for junk cars. Used soapy water to lubricate, and the plastic from old shampoo bottles can be used to put against rim in order to keep from marking it up. Next you need to figure out how to go about balancing. Remember to either line up the dot on tire with the valve stem or predetermine heaviest spot on rim. I stopped using weight and used tire beads without any negative effect on my last tire change.

 

[dannymax]

It can be done but takes some tools and ingenuity to do it without damaging anything. Do a google search and you will find all kinds of info. I've done my own dirtbike tires before, never did them on a street bike.

I've been considering making my own static balancer and buying some stick on weights and also coming up with something to use to hold the rim while removing/installing tires. Just not sure if I'm abitious enough to follow up or just keep paying 25-$30 per/wheel at the local shop. I don't really log a ton of miles so I'm only doing one set a season so its not a huge expense for me to change tires each year but I like projects.

I got one of these for Christmas and it works great!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2G-M...7958970QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[[email protected]]

I got one of these for Christmas and it works great!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2G-M...7958970QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

That's a good price dan. Looks like a nice setup. Im thinking something similar but using the axle for each particular wheel as the balance rod. I've got some bearings I could use for the project and tons of scrap to make a stand. Still undecided if I will build one. Kinda hinges on if I can come up with a tire changing station. Probably will never do it, lol

You have any suggestions on where to buy stick on weights? You still using the garbage can mounting system or did you come up with something better

 

[vmax2extreme]

Debating whether to just fork up $70 to the local dealership for mount/balance (all seem to charge alike) or just purchase the items for less and do it myself.

Nice spin balancer: $36
http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcycle-wheel-balancing-stand-98488.html

3 11" tire irons: $15.50
http://www.thealphamoto.com/servlet/the-255/Three-15"-MOTORCYCLE-/Detail

24 wheel weights: $6.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-...8974057QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

So thats about $60

or

A complete kit (need car stands) $64
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vmax...rcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20b8136e71

I dont really ride a lot (couple 1000 miles a year) , but it seems simple enough to do with the right tools.

Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[dannymax]

That's a good price dan. Looks like a nice setup. Im thinking something similar but using the axle for each particular wheel as the balance rod. I've got some bearings I could use for the project and tons of scrap to make a stand. Still undecided if I will build one. Kinda hinges on if I can come up with a tire changing station. Probably will never do it, lol

You have any suggestions on where to buy stick on weights? You still using the garbage can mounting system or did you come up with something better

Well Mike, I had to look long & hard but did find something better than the garbage can!! :rofl_200: For Christmas my wife got me a Wicko (or something like that) rim clamp changer, looks identical to the Cycle Hill one by No-Mar. I bolted the receiver to the lift table. There's just enough room with a bike on there for everything.

You can see the changer in the background, under the pancake compressor.

 

[one2dmax]

I run them down to the local tire store. They charge $3.50 for the dismount and $3.50 for the mount. Then you can balance it with the HF tool or don't even bother. Most of the time they run just fine as is (though I usually suggest to balance the fronts).

Sean

 

[vmax2extreme]

I run them down to the local tire store. They charge $3.50 for the dismount and $3.50 for the mount. Then you can balance it with the HF tool or don't even bother. Most of the time they run just fine as is (though I usually suggest to balance the fronts).

Sean

I guess your lucky since I called all the local shops here in MD and they all want minimal $35 per wheel flat rate.

 

[vmax2extreme]

Well, I called a few more stealerships asking how much for just to unmount/mount the tire without a balance and they only said I'd save $5 per wheel making it $60. For that I can still purchase all for equal or less value so I guess there's my decision then........

 

[Redbone]

As soon as I get my garage a dedicated tire changer will be in my shop. I pay $35/ tire off bike now, those savings will add up quick @ 2-4 tires per year! Plus if I can help out my buddies with a cheap tire changes too.

 

[dannymax]

For an el-cheapo this one works pretty good. I think the bead breaker is a little flimsy but I have a beefier one made of 2 X 4's mounted on the wall studs that takes care of that.

This thing and a bench top static balancer and yer all set.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MOTO...Z360316810765QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

 

[one2dmax]

You need to take them to an AUTOMOTIVE tire shop. Don't tell them they are off your bike. Say they are for your dune buggy or custom go cart.

Sean

 

[vmax2extreme]

You need to take them to an AUTOMOTIVE tire shop. Don't tell them they are off your bike. Say they are for your dune buggy or custom go cart.

Sean

I will try a few of the shops and see what they say. Most of the time they dont have spacers to accommodate for the smaller wheels.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[one2dmax]

They should have modern "Rim Clamp" type machines so getting the tire off and on is no big deal. They won't usually balance them though.

Sean

 

[vmax2extreme]

They should have modern "Rim Clamp" type machines so getting the tire off and on is no big deal. They won't usually balance them though.

Sean

Your right, they usually dont have the balancing setup for the smaller holed wheels. I'll just pickup the harbor freight balancer thats on sale now.

Thanks for all the insight!