first time changing tire

[slider]

going to attempt changing front tire myself  for the first time..have a set of tire irons  ,should I attempt this or have it done??THanks

[Gryphon Rider]

If you research what is involved, have a method of securely holding the wheel, and take precautions against marring the rim, you can do it yourself.  If you are planning to wing it, have someone with experience standing by to help.

[Harryc]

Good advice so far. I'd add that when you go to reinstall it you need to tighten things down in sequence to specific torque values. If you don't have a Valk tech manual I believe there's a ink to it on Dags site...and you'll need a torque wrench. Oh, and don't forget to lube the speedo gear and use a new steel 90 degree valve stem. 
http://www.valkyrienorway.com/download.html

[The emperor has no clothes]

If you don't have a way to securely hold the tire and break the bead, it's going to be almost impossible without damaging something or yourself. I made this out of scraps and an old tire rim. Even with it held down secure its not easy.

[hubcapsc]

I had changed a ton of dirt bike (CR500 and stuff) tires before
I got my Valkyrie, so I went for changing all my tires.



The low-profile rear tire on my 1800 kicks my a55, though... I'm done with changing tires.

My current plan is to take my 1500's rear wheel to Cycle Gear in the next town over for
new tires, and just ride the bike over there and let them do the front.

Oh yeah... I took a tire iron to the mouth over at Stanley Steamer's while we were
changing a tire... busted some teeth...

-Mike

[Ken Tarver]

Too bad you're 290 miles away slider, I could take care of your tire changes. Have changer, balancer, all metal valve stems, and the time right now. Try to find an independent shop near you, they are generally cheaper than our Honda dealers.

Ken

[98valk]

two C-clamps with 2x4s and 24" long tire iron from harbor freight will break the bead.
spray some armor-all into the bead area, will help.
http://www.randakksblog.com/easy-method-to-ruin-your-wheels/#more-1132

[Hook#3287]

If you don't have a way to securely hold the tire and break the bead, it's going to be almost impossible without damaging something or yourself. I made this out of scraps and an old tire rim. Even with it held down secure its not easy.

Wow   I'm impressed, that's a lot of scraps you put together.  Not bad, for a Meat Cutter

[Hook#3287]

going to attempt changing front tire myself  for the first time..have a set of tire irons  ,should I attempt this or have it done??THanks

If you plan on doing this every time, investing in the Harbor Freight tire changing stand is a good idea.  I like mine because when I'm not using it, I store it out of the way.  When I need it, I mount it with  lags in the sleeves drilled in the garage floor.

[Ramie]

Had my local dealer change my rear tire for me last spring.  I pulled the wheel and brought it to him while I serviced the rear end along with a new metal valve stem.  $39 to replace the tire, put on the valve stem, balance the tire and dispose of the old one.  That was well worth it to me.

[longrider]

Hook is correct.  If you plan on changing a few of your own tires get a harbor freight stand.  I modified the one I bought to clamp the rim on all three arms and made a nylon/rubber end to protect the rim. Instead if attaching it to the floor I made up a 2" tube to go into the receiver of my truck.  Works well. And the nomar tire bar ,pricey,  shown in one of the pics above makes it easy and does not mark the rim

[The emperor has no clothes]

If you don't have a way to securely hold the tire and break the bead, it's going to be almost impossible without damaging something or yourself. I made this out of scraps and an old tire rim. Even with it held down secure its not easy.

Wow   I'm impressed, that's a lot of scraps you put together.  Not bad, for a Meat Cutter

I'm just a cheap bastard is all. My first tire change the dealer gouged me for $200 in labor. My bad for not getting a quote beforehand . But I told myself I wasn't paying that again.

[hubcapsc]

My first tire change the dealer gouged me for $200 in labor. My bad for not getting a quote beforehand . But I told myself I wasn't paying that again.

If we could find dealers who knew how to service the driveline when the changed a tire, $200 would
be a bargain. I'm guessing all your stealer did was slap on a new tire?

-Mike

[The emperor has no clothes]

My first tire change the dealer gouged me for $200 in labor. My bad for not getting a quote beforehand . But I told myself I wasn't paying that again.

If we could find dealers who knew how to service the driveline when the changed a tire, $200 would
be a bargain. I'm guessing all your stealer did was slap on a new tire?

-Mike

front and rear. Maybe I'm just unrealistically cheap. I did find they buggered up the seal on the driveshaft. At the time I was commuting 100 miles a day. I knew at that rate tires and labor would break me.

[Hook#3287]

The other reason I do my own stuff is because there isn't anyone qualified within in (how ever many Big BF is from here) miles.

The main/first reason is because I am "unrealistically cheap" when it comes to paying someone to work on my bikes. 

Besides, no one else is touching them.

[Harryc]

Besides, no one else is touching them.

^^^^^+1

[The emperor has no clothes]

The other reason I do my own stuff is because there isn't anyone qualified within in (how ever many Big BF is from here) miles.

The main/first reason is because I am "unrealistically cheap" when it comes to paying someone to work on my bikes. 

Besides, no one else is touching them.

You know I think I am a lot like my Dad. He did ALL the work on our vehicles. My brothers and I were his tool getters, brake pumpers, cussing sounding boards. It just feels wrong to pay someone else to work on my stuff. No offense to people who do. I have at times. I don't have the luxury of 3 little slaves at my beck and call, but as irrational as it is it just seems unnatural to have somebody else do the work. Plus, I do get a satisfaction of doing it right. I remember after my Dads funeral me and my brothers were together drinking and telling stories. Some of the best were him yelling at us " no I told you the 7/16th's open end" ! Alas, I only get to yell at myself .  

[Hook#3287]

My brothers and I were his tool getters, brake pumpers, cussing sounding boards.

That right there is awesome stuff 

[Harryc]

My brothers and I were his tool getters, brake pumpers, cussing sounding boards.

Yup. Dad had a way with the words while working on stuff. I picked up some choice vocabulary from him.

[Bighead]

The other reason I do my own stuff is because there isn't anyone qualified within in (how ever many Big BF is from here) miles.

The main/first reason is because I  :roll:am "unrealistically cheap" when it comes to paying someone to work on my bikes. 

Besides, no one else is touching them.

You know I think I am a lot like my Dad. He did ALL the work on our vehicles. My brothers and I were his tool getters, brake pumpers, cussing sounding boards. It just feels wrong to pay someone else to work on my stuff. No offense to people who do. I have at times. I don't have the luxury of 3 little slaves at my beck and call, but as irrational as it is it just seems unnatural to have somebody else do the work. Plus, I do get a satisfaction of doing it right. I remember after my Dads funeral me and my brothers were together drinking and telling stories. Some of the best were him yelling at us " no I told you the 7/16th's open end" ! Alas, I only get to yell at myself .  

But meathead those people stealing from you need the money

[The emperor has no clothes]

The other reason I do my own stuff is because there isn't anyone qualified within in (how ever many Big BF is from here) miles.

The main/first reason is because I  :roll:am "unrealistically cheap" when it comes to paying someone to work on my bikes. 

Besides, no one else is touching them.

You know I think I am a lot like my Dad. He did ALL the work on our vehicles. My brothers and I were his tool getters, brake pumpers, cussing sounding boards. It just feels wrong to pay someone else to work on my stuff. No offense to people who do. I have at times. I don't have the luxury of 3 little slaves at my beck and call, but as irrational as it is it just seems unnatural to have somebody else do the work. Plus, I do get a satisfaction of doing it right. I remember after my Dads funeral me and my brothers were together drinking and telling stories. Some of the best were him yelling at us " no I told you the 7/16th's open end" ! Alas, I only get to yell at myself .  

But meathead those people stealing from you need the money

In fairness to them, I didn't ask up front what the cost was. I just assumed. My bad.

[The emperor has no clothes]

My brothers and I were his tool getters, brake pumpers, cussing sounding boards.

Yup. Dad had a way with the words while working on stuff. I picked up some choice vocabulary from him.

Its funny how we absorb stuff from our Dads at a young age. Sometimes I'll bust a knuckle removing a stubborn bolt and act exactly like he did 50 some years ago. I do try to control myself a little around my grandson though. I remember my Dad getting so pissed I thought I was in trouble.

[Harryc]

]Its funny how we absorb stuff from our Dads at a young age. Sometimes I'll bust a knuckle removing a stubborn bolt and act exactly like he did 50 some years ago. I do try to control myself a little around my grandson though. I remember my Dad getting so pissed I thought I was in trouble.

Lol ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjNqLOorulI

[The emperor has no clothes]

]Its funny how we absorb stuff from our Dads at a young age. Sometimes I'll bust a knuckle removing a stubborn bolt and act exactly like he did 50 some years ago. I do try to control myself a little around my grandson though. I remember my Dad getting so pissed I thought I was in trouble.

Lol ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjNqLOorulI

that was a great movie. 

[Ramie]

My brothers and I were his tool getters, brake pumpers, cussing sounding boards.

Yup. Dad had a way with the words while working on stuff. I picked up some choice vocabulary from him.

My Dad had the patience of a saint, I worked for him after school and during the summers at his service station.  Years later when I started working with my father in-law I learned all the cuss words.  He was a yeller and a tool thrower.  You head to be ready to duck when working with him.