anyone change their own tires
#1
#3
Don't know about dirt bikes. The cast Harley wheels have a shouldered bead area making the bead pretty tough to break without a proper bead breaker. To remove and replace the tire you might need 3 or 4 spoons and an extra set of hands but it is doable. I use the Harbor freight tire machine with the motorcycle wheel attachment and lots of patience. Do you already have a wheel balancer of some type? If you find out you are in over your head, you can take your new tires and wheels (already off the bike) to a shop and have them finish the job ( a blow to one's pride). You probably already know how easy it is to bend a brake disk.
#4
Don't know about dirt bikes. The cast Harley wheels have a shouldered bead area making the bead pretty tough to break without a proper bead breaker. To remove and replace the tire you might need 3 or 4 spoons and an extra set of hands but it is doable. I use the Harbor freight tire machine with the motorcycle wheel attachment and lots of patience. Do you already have a wheel balancer of some type? If you find out you are in over your head, you can take your new tires and wheels (already off the bike) to a shop and have them finish the job ( a blow to one's pride). You probably already know how easy it is to bend a brake disk.
#5
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Lockport Township, IL
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Two spoons. No rim protectors. Cheapo bead breaker from J&P (or improvise with a large C-clamp and a couple pieces of wood). I have been changing tires on bikes since I was 16, and have NEVER balanced one and have never had a problem. (I did damage a rotor one time. Dropped a heavy object on it while the wheel was laying on the garage floor.)
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#9
I built this box out of 2x4's to set the wheel on. The rim sits on the wood and the brake rotor is inside the box. Then I use the scissor jack between the tire and the receiver hitch of our truck to brake the bead. Works like a charm. I then use the box to support the wheel on the floor as I use 3 spoons to get the tire off and on the wheel.
#10
I built this box out of 2x4's to set the wheel on. The rim sits on the wood and the brake rotor is inside the box. Then I use the scissor jack between the tire and the receiver hitch of our truck to brake the bead. Works like a charm. I then use the box to support the wheel on the floor as I use 3 spoons to get the tire off and on the wheel.