Tire changing

[Fishman]

"I wasn't able to get the tire bead breaker to work with motorcycle tires. I have to break some down this week so I'll have another look at it."

Duaneage, the bead breaker on the HF machine should work fine. I'm a total novice at it, but I have used it to replace tires on 5 different cycles now, with tires ranging from 1 year old to an original front on an '81 550t. It works great, but it wasn't intuitive at first. Forgive me if I'm being too simple here, but it took me some time to figure it out. The large tire iron is used as a lever to press the bead breaker down on the tire. It's possible you have it miss-assembled too. The crescent portion of the breaker that contacts the tire should match the curve of the wheel. I had mine on all wrong at first.

That said, it works better with two people to install the tires. I have a problem with the bead on the opposite side riding up over the rim as I'm installing it. It helps to have someone else preventing that with the use of a small tire iron. I also have a problem sometimes with the rim rotating in the clamps due to the force required to roll the tire on. Somewhere I saw a post with replacement nylon clamps for the HF machine that looked really nice, and would prevent marring. They may also clamp better, I don't know. It's likely I'm just not that proficient and there are some tricks. However, it works for me.

I've never tried to change a motorcycle tire with just tire irons, but after working to get a few "vintage" tires off the rim, I don't ever want to.

 

[GSXXZRX]

[QUOTE=Fishman;
I have a problem with the bead on the opposite side riding up over the rim as I'm installing it.

I've changed at least 40 tires with the Harbor Freight changer. I change tires
for all the guys I ride with. I bought enough Rim Savers to go all the way
around the wheel. A lot of the wheels I change are painted. Once you get the hang of it, it takes about 5 minutes a wheel. I think the bead breaker
works perfect on cycle rims.

Fishman
Try using four or five 1x1x4 wooden blocks to keep the tire bead in the well of the rim.

Also, NAPA sells a product called Ru Glide tire lube. Stuff works great.

 

[Fishman]

Thanks GSXXZRX, I'll try that. I assume the wood blocks keep the tire bead toward the center of the rim, what you refer to as the well. That makes good sense as once the bead gets up next to the rim edge, there's less room for the tire to stretch over the rim on the other side. I'll have to look for the rim savers, I like the idea of not having to move the protector as you roll the bead in.

 

[mistertoadie]

Just wanted to mention to all tubeless tire changers, change your valve stems too!!!! they will crack all the way around the junction with the rim and you may not notice until they go. Bad thing to happen at highway speeds or over. I bought a 1982 honda 750 custom once that looked like it just rolled out of the showroom. Tires were perfect, like new. I bent the front valve stem over with my finger and it snapped right off. BE WARNED!!!!

 

[bergemannta]

Whenever I've had to mount tires by hand I've found using a ratchet strap around the center of the tire and slowly add air and release tension works relatively well. I think I will stick to that method.

 

[Strick]

one word: heat

warm (hot) rubber makes tire changing VERY easy. You can use the sun, a bullet heater, or even a blow dryer --> HEAT!

 

[duaneage]

There is no doubt tubes are a pain in the arse. I did a pair a few days ago and there were a pair of unnecessary tubes inside. Just getting the old tires off was tough because the tubes took up space inside the tire.

I did my Yamaha Tuesday, spoked rear wheel. The last 7 inches of bead were a real Hillary and I resorted to small tire levers and carefully pryed it over. I don't like using the levers with tubes but after a long time spent tugging on it something had to be done.

It would be wonderful if a shop was reasonable for mounting tires but they are not. 45 to 50 a wheel if you bring it in, double that if you don't.

 

[scrapper]

I have only done one, my front tire. I used a quick clamp to smash the tire sides together, then used a sawz-all to cut most of the way through the tire.I used wire cutters to finish the bead area. Had to push wires away from the rim with a piece of wood. I hit the wood a couple of times lightly but no damage to the rim.That was the hard part, some small bolt cutters would have worked better. Them wires are really tough and really hard to saw.It was a pain to put tire back on. There is a guy up north of me about an hour, that advertises on craigs list, 20 bucks to change and balance tire. Would be much cheaper and easier.

 

[Marine36]

Local shop mounts and balances for 10 dollars if you but their tires. They sell most tire equal to or less than internet merchants.

 

[Griffin]

Cycle Recycle II charges $12 per tire while you wait. You remove the wheel and bring it in yourself. It doesn't matter if you buy the tire there or not.

I've seen guys in the back parking lot using Rob's tools to remove their wheel and get a new tire mounted, then reinstall the wheel and ride away.