Hi Guys,

I am finally getting rid of the Dunlops that were not suppposed to be on my bike and bought some Avon's, still waiting for them to show up.

Trying to get organzied so when they do I am ready for the challenge.


Three questions:

1) are there any special tools required to remove the front & rear tires wiothout damaging the rim? I heard the side walls are very tough and the tire beads is very hard to break loose from the rim.

2) how about mounting the new tirs on the rims?


3) balancing sounds difficult to get it just right or does one have to take it into a shop or is it even any issue?



Any tips would really be appreicated

Thanks
Ed

88 Red&Black

 

I always have mine fitted £15 ride in ride out service not worth the agro for that price,
i'm thinking of trying some of these next time:

Conti Tyres

i know some one who has them on a 900 diversion.

 

Morning,
Gotta agree, it is easier to let a specialist deal with the tyre. Howvere, save some money and take in bare wheels, but dont remove the hub carrier assembly or discs or anything, as they will need that for the balancing (if they are a decent tyre co). If you are intent on going the DIY route, you can get a "rim protector" that slips over the rim to lever against, but is it really worth it? I have just had my wheels powder coated, no way would I attempt it!! Good luck either way!

Ara

 

Changing your own tires is not hard but there are "tricks" to doing it right.

1 -- get a stand. Harbor freight has a tire changing stand with bead breaker (gotta order the motorcycle attachment)
2 -- get a balancer and wheel weights. Balancing is extremely important and is very easy.
3 -- get 3 long tire irons. 17" or better.
4 -- get rim savers. Plastic clip on doodads that'll protect your rim from scratches.
5 -- if you don't already have a compressor then you'll need that too.

Here's the story: I had my compressor and got tired of the $50 per rim changing fee the dealers here were charging. Of course if you bought their tires the change was free. Of course their tires costed about $150 more. Anyway, I made the balancer at work -- you can make your own or buy a decent one from $100+. The stand at harbor freight is gonna be another $100. All told I have about $200 invested in supplies and I've changed about a dozen sets of my own tires plus I change my buddies tires if they bring me the rims. So I'm up about $1000 plus at least a case of beer (buds pay in beer).

If you do decide to change your own I highly suggest you find a knowledgeable person that will assist you on the first set. I could write entire books on the subject and it still wouldn't help you as much as watching it done.

 

Hello 88RedBlack

Take the wheels and tyres to the mechanic and get them to change the tyres and balance the wheels unless you have.
A Bead Breaker machine
A Compressor
A wheel balancing machine
A put the tyre on the rim machine
Experience
Tyre Irons
Soap/Slip

Or pay the mechanic a few quid ?

Kind regards

Jim