Changing Tires?

cjbenedict said:
Back in the day, all tires (including car/truck tires) were balanced by hand :)
Click to expand...

I used to go to the Mid Ohio A.M.A superbike races and Dunlop had a huge set up where they changed and balanced hundreds of tires for all the racers over the course of the weekend.Each and every one of those wheels were balanced by hand using a very basic static balancer.Those bikes were hitting way over 160 mph.Enough said
 
Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I would ask here.
I just bought a bead breaker and a tire balancer from Kapsco today.
Managed to break the bead but I don't have the proper tools to get the tire off the rim.

I'm ordering some rim protectors that were mentioned earlier in the thread and some tire irons.
You guys mentioned that having 2-3 irons is ideal, are we talking different sizes? or 3 of the same one?
Sorry if my question sounds silly, but I'm curious if I should buy three of these:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.ca/14/71/995/4449/ITEM/Motion-Pro-16-Tire-Tool.aspx
Or one of these:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.ca/14/71/995/4456/ITEM/Motion-Pro-Assorted-Tire-Iron-Set.aspx

Any helps is appreciated, thanks!
 
You'll need 2 tire irons and something to hold the bead in place, either a tire spoon or a 3rd tire iron (tire spoon works better and is the same price or less).

Make sure to get the curved tire irons like those motion pros in your link, strait cheap ones like at princess auto won't cut it (although one of those could be used as a tire spoon).
 
I believe the more the merrier. Its an acquired skilled. I get pretty frustrated on my first try, but I always enjoy the challenge. Plus a real man does his own tires :rolleyes:

Sent from my tablet using my paws
 
3 Irons work well for me w/4 rim protectors, but it depends on the tire.

Michelin's can be mounted with 1 iron now, 2 irons to take them off. All depends on the sidewall and how good you are at doing it.

Since its your first time with irons...TAKE YOUR TIME, don't get frustrated. You will understand where you need to position the irons to get the tire off.

When I started doing this (after johnny showed me how) I spend 3 hours trying to remove a rear...now its just a matter of setting things up, 5-10mins and its off. No scratches at all either.

USE LOTS OF LUBE!

Like what he already said...see below

JohnnyP636 said:
Been doing my own tire changes for years, I use 2 tire irons, 2 plastic rim protectors, some soap. For bead breaking I use a fork lift I have at my shop, but out of the shop I've used simply a long piece of metal bar or a piece of wood. Sounds very butcher like but I am very picky and never scratch my or anyone's rims. With lots of practice I can even do alot of tires that aren't hockey pucks with my bare hands and soap no irons at all
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
frekeyguy said:
Since its your first time with irons...TAKE YOUR TIME, don't get frustrated. You will understand where you need to position the irons to get the tire off.

When I started doing this (after johnny showed me how) I spend 3 hours trying to remove a rear...now its just a matter of setting things up, 5-10mins and its off. No scratches at all either.
Click to expand...

+1 When I first started changing tires I kind of knew the theory but still found it difficult. Biggest issue is making sure tire is deep in the center well. Sometimes it seems like it's in there but it can go in further. You know you're not in far enough when you can't get the last 20-25% of the bead over the rim. No point in forcing it further, it won't go. (ok once it went but I was sure the rim would break, thought tire was in center well but wasn't:()
I use lots of WD40 painted on. The beauty about WD40 is that it seems to vulcanize the bead to rim. My container of clear WD40 always goes dark when applying with brush telling me that it's affecting the surface of the rubber.
I once rode over 20kms on rear flat, bead did not come off rim. Thru centrifugal force it almost didn't seem flat when going faster. Red lights not so much fun.
 
inreb said:
+1 When I first started changing tires I kind of knew the theory but still found it difficult. Biggest issue is making sure tire is deep in the center well. Sometimes it seems like it's in there but it can go in further. You know you're not in far enough when you can't get the last 20-25% of the bead over the rim. No point in forcing it further, it won't go. (ok once it went but I was sure the rim would break, thought tire was in center well but wasn't:()
I use lots of WD40 painted on. The beauty about WD40 is that it seems to vulcanize the bead to rim. My container of clear WD40 always goes dark when applying with brush telling me that it's affecting the surface of the rubber.
I once rode over 20kms on rear flat, bead did not come off rim. Thru centrifugal force it almost didn't seem flat when going faster. Red lights not so much fun.
Click to expand...

The wd is actually dissolving the tire. I won't put too much
 
inreb said:
+1 When I first started changing tires I kind of knew the theory but still found it difficult. Biggest issue is making sure tire is deep in the center well. Sometimes it seems like it's in there but it can go in further. You know you're not in far enough when you can't get the last 20-25% of the bead over the rim. No point in forcing it further, it won't go. (ok once it went but I was sure the rim would break, thought tire was in center well but wasn't:()
I use lots of WD40 painted on. The beauty about WD40 is that it seems to vulcanize the bead to rim. My container of clear WD40 always goes dark when applying with brush telling me that it's affecting the surface of the rubber.
I once rode over 20kms on rear flat, bead did not come off rim. Thru centrifugal force it almost didn't seem flat when going faster. Red lights not so much fun.
Click to expand...

For motorcycle tires the lubricant used to put on the tire isn't as necessary as the bead lube used for a car tire. The rubber will form an air tight seal against the rim fine on it's own

WD40 chemically attacks rubber. I suppose the amount used to put on a tire that will be changed in a year or two isn't going to break down enough of the rubber that it becomes a structural issue, but soapy water (heavy on the soap) does an excellent job if you don't want to buy motorcycle bead lube.

If anyone needs help the first time they change a tire, you're welcome to come by and get some pointers. I wish I had pointers for my first time ;)
 
RockerGuy said:
The wd is actually dissolving the tire. I won't put too much
Click to expand...

WD40 certainly attacks rubber but I've put on mega doses with no ill effects. I even put it on the inner tubes. When airing up everything shlides right into place and then when dry the WD40 gets very tacky. No problems yet and have no reason to feel, at this point, I'll ever see any.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom