How hard is it to change a tire

[Raverez]

Just got a new front tire and was wondering if I should do the wole replacing process myself.
I've removed the front tire to get the fork seals replaced a couple years ago so I can do that. But the removing, installing and balancing the new tire is something I've haven't tried.
any tips would be apprieciated,  thanks.

Raul

[Garland]

I have done mine for the last five or six years. Even though I have a Harbor Freight tire mounting gizmo it is not something I look forward to. It takes me at least a couple hours every time, I am ashamed to admit. In spite of my ineptness, I was and am bound and determined to continue and only hope it gets easier after the tenth time.

[pancho]

I find changing motorcycle tires is easier than I would have thought if I didn't do it. I use no professional tire changing mechanism,,,,,,  a long board on a pivot with a smaller board pivioted to the first with a bolt, to break the beads,, rim protectors, tire irons and soapy lube make the job go fast if you have warmed the tires in the sun. Look at the valve stem thread for a picture of Mikes home made bead breaker.. Also a tire balancer can be made from some pieces of 2 by six.. I mean you can do it real hillybilly and spend next to nothing, do it in a snap and get professional results.. I do. Look on utube for many videos about changing your tires by hand.

[Dorkman]

I've done a dozen years ago, steel rims, tube type.  Tubeless tires and alloy wheels ya have to be more careful, and then there's balancing.  Now I wouldn't bother with the hassle.  Once you have the wheel off, tire guys will do it for $20 more or less.  Good luck.

[vanagon40]

I like to do it myself.  It takes me several hours, BUT, I figure taking it to the dealer or tire shop will take at least an hour.  A static balance using just the wheel bearing seems to work fine.  If your bearings will not let the tire rotate freely, I would suggest it is time to change bearings.  Homemade tire changer is very inexpensive.  I have a bead breaker on my Northern Tool auto tire changer.

I fault no one for taking tires to a shop, but this is another DIY project I like to handle.  I also change my own auto tires.  Without a balance, I can pull, patch, and replace an auto tire in less than 30 minutes.  The bike tires are MUCH more time consuming.  But with a little patience, perseverance, and elbow grease, it is not that difficult.

[Hoser]

Just got a new front tire and was wondering if I should do the wole replacing process myself.
I've removed the front tire to get the fork seals replaced a couple years ago so I can do that. But the removing, installing and balancing the new tire is something I've haven't tried.
any tips would be apprieciated,  thanks.

Raul

It ain't easy, but it's doable.  Make sure you follow the maintenance  manual instructions exactly.  I would not do it with out my manual open to the instructions, and I've done it many times. Hoser  

[justintyper]

i could bring it to work and mount it for ya if you bring me the wheel(i still owe ya for helping me last summer puling my rear wheel) and as far as balancing goes i went darkside mounted my own rear tire and installed balancing beads and am hapy with how smooth she rides now so if you wanted to order some up i could put those in as well.

[Mildew]

I gave up. I have a bead breaker and could probably build a thingamajig pretty easy with my welder but I'd rather put a clutch on my bimmer again than mess with another tire. I'll carry it down to the stealer and give them whatever they charge. Most of the time it's $25 off the bike at a small MC shop

[Raverez]

Sounds good Justin. Going to take it off the bike tomorrow morning. Forgot your phone # though.
Thanks for the input everybody. Will update when done.

[The emperor has no clothes]

We only have 1 shop here that will do tires that are bought somewhere else. After they charged me $180 I researched doing it myself and made a tire changing station. Been doing it myself since. It`s not that hard just be carefull not to scratch your wheels. I haven`t used the beads yet but think i`ll try them next time, it`s almost impossible to get lead weights nowadays.

[Mildew]

We only have 1 shop here that will do tires that are bought somewhere else. After they charged me $180 I researched doing it myself and made a tire changing station. Been doing it myself since. It`s not that hard just be carefull not to scratch your wheels. I haven`t used the beads yet but think i`ll try them next time, it`s almost impossible to get lead weights nowadays.

$180?¿ Wow. $17 and some change at cycle nation in McDonough GA 2 days ago. They have great tire prices. I think the price to mount was half off because I bought the tire there. They even called me to make sure I was happy with it. I mounted a front tire before. I scratched the rim pretty good. I didn't balance it and couldn't tell any difference. It wore even all the way around.

[The emperor has no clothes]

Man if I could get a price like that I wouldn`t even think of doing them myself!

[vanagon40]

. . . . it`s almost impossible to get lead weights nowadays.

I just use the stick on weights, like these.

[pancho]

We only have 1 shop here that will do tires that are bought somewhere else. After they charged me $180 I researched doing it myself and made a tire changing station. Been doing it myself since. It`s not that hard just be carefull not to scratch your wheels. I haven`t used the beads yet but think i`ll try them next time, it`s almost impossible to get lead weights nowadays.

eBay has all the motorcycle wheel weights,, I have found the stick on ones easiest to use and to get in the proper increments.
THe biggest plus of changing your own tire is that you know what you have done. No one else will ever be as careful with your property (scratching the wheel, pressing on the rotors, banging on the bearings etc.) or be as willing to take the time to do it correctly as you will. Yes there is an investment of a bit of time, but I wouldn't do it any other way.........  I have watched too many people work for wages.

[The emperor has no clothes]

We only have 1 shop here that will do tires that are bought somewhere else. After they charged me $180 I researched doing it myself and made a tire changing station. Been doing it myself since. It`s not that hard just be carefull not to scratch your wheels. I haven`t used the beads yet but think i`ll try them next time, it`s almost impossible to get lead weights nowadays.

eBay has all the motorcycle wheel weights,, I have found the stick on ones easiest to use and to get in the proper increments.
THe biggest plus of changing your own tire is that you know what you have done. No one else will ever be as careful with your property (scratching the wheel, pressing on the rotors, banging on the bearings etc.) or be as willing to take the time to do it correctly as you will. Yes there is an investment of a bit of time, but I wouldn't do it any other way.........  I have watched too many people work for wages.

I agree about doing the work yourself. I`ve never used the steel weights, no problems? I thought maybe there would be a rust issue or a reaction with the aluminum rim.

[Raverez]

Well, took it to a local shop, Microbore. Charged $35 plus tax. They balanced it and checked the bearings. Took the rear tire there a couple years ago. They got a good rep here
. . better than the local dealers.

[Raverez]

But now a new prob came up. when I lifted the bike the front  wheel wasn't turning freely. seems like the pistons in the left caliper are sticking. So, now I got to see why.

[Mildew]

Be sure your axle is knocked all the way through before tightening the nut. It will cause that even if it's just out a smidgen.

[Hoser]

But now a new prob came up. when I lifted the bike the front  wheel wasn't turning freely. seems like the pistons in the left caliper are sticking. So, now I got to see why.

Did you have maintenance manual?  That situation you describe is why you need it.  Hoser
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php?action=post;msg=524991;topic=54727.0;sesc=23d704328a61f40a1d8b8e213552319b

[vanagon40]

Check out Tire Change and Rear Spline Lube from the Karl Kulow Maintenance Page at Shop Talk (note there is also a link just under the first advertisement at the top of this page).  There is a very specific procedure for aligning the front wheel and axle.

[pancho]

You can make it hard,,, but it doesn't have to be.....

[vanagon40]

Well f-ck me running.  Have you actually removed a tire this way, pancho, or did you just find a picture.  Chain the tire to a post, strap the rim to an ATV, hit the gas and "hold my beer and watch this."  Yes, I understand that the more accepted way is to use a come-a-long on the rim, but same concept.

[Raverez]

Got the manual. Printed out Karls pages. But still need to get one piston on the left caliper to go in. Tried c clamp. But methinks I migght have to drain the fluid. Hopefully not do a rebuild.

[justintyper]

the only way the fluid would be a problem is if you added fluid since the brake pads have been changed...it shouldnt be terribly hard to push the pistons back in especislly being how small they are if there is any doubt rebuild it.

[pancho]

Well f-ck me running.  Have you actually removed a tire this way, pancho, or did you just find a picture.  Chain the tire to a post, strap the rim to an ATV, hit the gas and "hold my beer and watch this."  Yes, I understand that the more accepted way is to use a come-a-long on the rim, but same concept.

I refuse to answer the question on the grounds that it might tend to incriminate me.

[salty1]

Got the manual. Printed out Karls pages. But still need to get one piston on the left caliper to go in. Tried c clamp. But methinks I migght have to drain the fluid. Hopefully not do a rebuild.

Gently ease the pistons back into the calipers (open the bleeder if need be) before reassembly and be sure to follow the procedure outlined in the manual for reassembly of the front wheel as mentioned by Hoser.