How many of you change your own tires

[earlfor]

Probably thought the arrow was an advertising gimmick like raised white letters. LOL

Earl

Fifteen years ago I figured I'd pay to have the shop do it instead of doing it myself.

When I got home I realized he had put the tire on backwards. Big arrow on it indicating direction...and he had the bike too, so how do you make THAT mistake?


Been doing them myself ever since. Good tire irons help.

[duaneage]

Fifteen years ago I figured I'd pay to have the shop do it instead of doing it myself.

When I got home I realized he had put the tire on backwards. Big arrow on it indicating direction...and he had the bike too, so how do you make THAT mistake?


Been doing them myself ever since. Good tire irons help.

I checked the direction of the tread after the first bead and caught my mistake when I did mine, can't believe someone would go all the way with installing it without looking.

A good friend bought a Honda from me and had a new tire mounted at a dealer. Problem was they did not properly torque the wheel nut, even put the king pin in it, and 80 miles later the wheel jacked loose and he crashed at 55 mph. I felt almost as bad as he did

[Anonymous]

last summer I needed 2 tires on my GK. I had never changed motorcycle tires before. The shops were charging 40 to 60 dollars for mounting since I did not buy tires from them. I called one of my brothers (I have 6), who agreed to help.

I found a instructions on line, I built the box, used a C clamp and picked up some tire tools. All went very smooth. I had the front tire done before my bro showed up.

A task I will do again. If I found someone to do the job for 15.00 I may consider paying them.

RG

[WesV]

Well the whole balancing platform and tire changing station is nice but considering I live in a apartment, it is hard enough to keep my big Craftsman toolbox full of tools in here. Might consider it when I get home and have the shop to work in, but I was just particularly worried about the mag wheels and the whole balancing thing.

[massakins]

Been changing my own and those of my friends for years. Even did my VW Beetle wheel when $$$ were tight years ago. ATVs are pretty tough to do by hand; Harleys can be tough too.

All I use are two tire irons, but they are special. Available as OEM tools from Kawasaki, but they've changed hundreds of tires and show no signs of wear. Rim damage is not an issue either, providing you do it right. But I have pinched a tube or two in my day, and dinged one new Mitchell Chicane front rim once.....almost made me cry (BTW, there is a shop that straightens and trues them!).

Never bothered to balance my own, even when working in a shop with a SanpOn spin balancer. Never had a wobble or saw the need. I did balance them for all of the customers that had to have it done, but only because they asked.

Its a skill to learn and you may break a sweat, but its worth $$$ in the bank.