booker82 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 Hey folks, I've had a pretty good deal running with my local shop for a few years now. I take off the rims, they put on the tires. And, until this week, their prices haven't been all that bad. But now, for whatever reason, their prices have gone through the roof. They quoted me $248 for a rear PR2 yesterday, and $188 for a front. With my AMA discount, I can get both from Bikebandit for $237, shipped. As much as I dig my shop and want to support a local business, I just can't get behind those prices. And, for "liability" reasons, they won't install tires that a customer brings in. So, I figure I'm doing half the labor already anyway (removing the rims). I might as well start doing all of it. But, I don't own so much as a tire iron, I'm ashamed to admit. So what does a guy need to do this right? I figure I can get a whole kit together, plus the tires, for the cost of what the dealership wants for a set. School me, oh wise VFRD dudes! p.s. I'm no noob to the garage, I've just been spoiled a lazy up to this point. So, while I'm confident in my skills, I'm just not sure where to begin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer V-FORE Posted March 14, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 14, 2012 I started changing my own tires a few years ago, what I use is a couple of these clamps, http://www.google.co...CMAU#ps-sellers to break the bead, a few 8" tire irons and a plastic coffee can cut into strips as a rim protector, lemon pledge as a lubricant and a lot of there are a few useful videos on youtube, search changing motorcycle tires, after watching someone who has done it before, it made me realize it is not very difficult if you use finesse instead of ignorance & force Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer BCmcrider Posted March 14, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 14, 2012 ... it made me realize it is not very difficult if you use finesse instead of ignorance & force Yes but Gary, your own equation states that you won't get results that way. Isn't is something like ignorance & force = results? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer SamW Posted March 14, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 14, 2012 It is not too bad a job, you need a couple of good tools, I have a good large bead breaker (HF) and a balancer, plus a nice barrel (not sure the size, something like a 20-30 gal barrel) to get the wheel in the air so you can work on it, that and a couple of big tire irons and some rim protectors and you should be set. Takes a while to learn the tricks to make life easier, first is to leave the new tire out in the sun to warm up. The best part is you can put the wheel on the balancer without the tire to find the true heaviest point to line up with the paint mark on the tire. This cuts down on the wheel weights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum CEO HispanicSlammer Posted March 14, 2012 Forum CEO Share Posted March 14, 2012 Harbor Freight stopped carrying the motorcycle attachment to their popular tire changing station, but I have seen a few available on ebay. Other options are hundreds more but probably better options - I am satisfied with my old HF gear, it has more then paid for itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer 2FAST4U Posted March 14, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 14, 2012 Do a search on youtube. There are a number of DIY instructional videos on removing and installing motorcycle tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monk Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 This is my choice if and when my local shop changes policy... Right now I bring in the tyres & wheels and they change for $25 a piece.... no "liability" excuses.......It's not cheap but it's one of the best...... so I've heard on here. http://www.nomar-secure.com/category_s/1.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wera803 Posted March 14, 2012 Share Posted March 14, 2012 I used tire irons, rim protectors and a home made bead breaker (2X4 attached to the wall) for 5 years. I finally got tired of doing it that way keeping tires on a track bike and 2 street bikes, so bought the set-up below. Now I do probably 100 tires a year for the locals at $20 each if they remove them from the bike and $35 each if they bring the whole bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Contributer Rice Posted March 14, 2012 Member Contributer Share Posted March 14, 2012 Two tire irons, a bead breaker, a static blancer and some tick-on weights is all you need for this job. I bought these: Tire irons Balancer And some stick-on weights. Bead Breaker: I use my car - Look it up on YouTube. Eccentially, I place the wheel on a moving blanket, wedge one side of it against the wall and drive the front driver side wheel of my car around the rim. The only downside to this is you have to remove front brake disks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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