Motorcycle Tire Mounting And Balancing
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
i would like to know myself.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Southern Ohio
I blew a tire one time in Myrtle Beach. Just took the back wheel off the bike. Took it into the motel room. Used a couple of screwdrivers to get the tire off, went and bought new tire next morning. Put it on the rim (did not balance of course), and rode it home to Ohio. No vibration whatsoever. I refuse to pay $200-$300 to do what I can do myself. And believe me, if I can do it, you can do it...
I changed out many tubed tires on dirt bikes way back in my motocrossing days. Never on a street bike, but what the heck, can't be so much differnt it justifies paying $100.00 to have the HD shop do it. I'll be installing my AVON Venoms in a couple months and follow up with how it went (scraped knuckles and all).
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 523
Likes: 1
From: Western Washington
I mount my own. I've been riding on hand mounted tires for 20+ years. I don't balance. I just mount the sidewall dot so that it is lined up with the valve stem. I have never had a vibrator. My bikes ride smooth and tires last a long life. Sure somebody is gonna come on here and tell us of all the evils of not balancing. However, I've ridden on a pile of tires mounted in this fashion and never had an issue. If I ever get a vibrator, I'll simply pull the wheel and have the indy ricer shop a few minutes away balance it for me.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Clearwater, FL
Changing motorcycle tires is not rocket science. Something that really helps is to get some real tire irons. Screwdrivers will work to get BIG ones and be careful about pinching the tube and marring the finish on the wheel.
Also, get three (3) irons. It'll make your life much more bearable. If you are changing tires often, consider making a "stand" out of an old care tire to get the wheel up off the ground.
Oh yeah, +1 on Dyna Beads. Definately the easiest way to get a balanced wheel.
Also, get three (3) irons. It'll make your life much more bearable. If you are changing tires often, consider making a "stand" out of an old care tire to get the wheel up off the ground.
Oh yeah, +1 on Dyna Beads. Definately the easiest way to get a balanced wheel.
Last edited by chad_clearwater; Aug 24, 2009 at 03:01 PM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
Likes: 29
Plastic rim protectors keep you from bumming up the wheel.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,753
Likes: 9,276
From: Snow Hill, NC
As long as it only costs me $15.00 for my Indy to do it and he checks the balance i will keep on doint it..Plus the last time i needed a tire 2 days before a trip and he bumped me ahead of everybody no questions asked....I can throw him 15 bones here and there...
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Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota
I bought new front and rear tires for my 2009 Fatboy online at Motorcycle Superstore. I bought the Metzler Marathon 80's. The front tire is a 140mm, rear is 200mm. I mounted them myself using 4 tire irons, the plastic rim savers, a bead breaker, some soapy water, and the plug into the cig lighter air inflator. The front tire beaded up no problem...the rear took a bit more work but I got the job done and did it myself. For balancing, I bought 2 of the 2 oz bags of dyna beads and placed one bag in each wheel through the valve stem.
I really can't see myself EVER paying through the nose for tires at a dealership. I saved over $100 ON EACH TIRE. Plus, I know the job was done with care and consideration for my ride.
I really can't see myself EVER paying through the nose for tires at a dealership. I saved over $100 ON EACH TIRE. Plus, I know the job was done with care and consideration for my ride.
Last edited by SteelD; Nov 24, 2010 at 11:24 AM. Reason: grammatical error