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Author Topic: Changing Tires  (Read 4870 times)

Offline Motor Psycho

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Changing Tires
« on: June 28, 2015, 09:34:56 AM »
Hi everyone.
I just picked up a 2015 C14, and reading in the service manual it says "the tires cannot be removed with hand tools as they fit the rims too tight. Remove the tire from the rim using a commercial tire changer".
Is this true, or just an attempt to keep the dealers happy?
I've been changing my own tires by hand  for forty years. I have considered picking up a Harbor Freight changer. Any experience with them?
Thanks
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Offline JoeRau

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #1 on: June 28, 2015, 09:41:40 AM »
I can't help you there.  My tires have been changed twice.  First by a dealer to change TPMS and put new tires on.  The 2nd at an independent shop since I was due.  I know there are some on here that do change their own, but hear a lot of chatter about what type of changers they use.   
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Offline jimmymac

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #2 on: June 28, 2015, 09:45:10 AM »
I change mine all the time. No different than any other bike, other than being careful to not damage the tire pressure sensors.
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Offline C14lvr

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2015, 10:06:39 AM »

Nope, they're pulling your leg. I changed my stock BT-21's myself- manually.

I use the Harbor Freight tire changer. It bolts to the floor, stands about 3' tall. I remove the stem out of the tire valve, let the air out. Down low on the tire changer, is a manual bead breaker. Once the tire's bead is broken down off the rim, you can securely mount the wheel to the changer. Using No-Mar tool, lubricant around the rim/bead, and a bead locker tool (keeps the tire from turning on the rim,) I manually separate the tire from the rim. Once that's done, I then repeat the process for the other side, which completely removes the tire from the wheel.
 Once the new tire has been mounted, air up, stem valve replaced, I then static balance it on my HF balancer, using gravity to find the heavy point.

 Not a big deal to do, never have had a problem with the balance.

I have had some experiences with certain tire brands' sidewalls that are really stiff being difficult to manually break down, though. Sometimes helps to have an assistant...
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Offline PH14

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2015, 10:39:04 AM »
Quote from: C14lvr on June 28, 2015, 10:06:39 AM
Nope, they're pulling your leg. I changed my stock BT-21's myself- manually.

I use the Harbor Freight tire changer. It bolts to the floor, stands about 3' tall. I remove the stem out of the tire valve, let the air out. Down low on the tire changer, is a manual bead breaker. Once the tire's bead is broken down off the rim, you can securely mount the wheel to the changer. Using No-Mar tool, lubricant around the rim/bead, and a bead locker tool (keeps the tire from turning on the rim,) I manually separate the tire from the rim. Once that's done, I then repeat the process for the other side, which completely removes the tire from the wheel.


And the Harbor Freight tire changer doesn't qualify as a "hand tool," it is a tire changer, the exact thing the service manual says you need. The service manual does;t say you can't change a tire, it says it cannot be changed with hand tools, such as a tire iron.
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Offline Motor Psycho

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2015, 10:41:48 AM »
Thanks guys, the Harbor Freight tire changers are on sale, so maybe now's the time.
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2015, 10:46:25 AM »
And then you have to find a way to balance them...
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Offline Motor Psycho

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #7 on: June 28, 2015, 11:02:34 AM »
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Offline maxtog

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #8 on: June 28, 2015, 11:11:07 AM »
Quote from: Motor Psycho on June 28, 2015, 11:02:34 AM
I already have a balancer. I've been doing my tires forever. My balancer is homemade and similar to this one

My friend and I also made a homemade balancer, back in the day.  And it even sorta worked too.
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Offline SapperLdr

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2015, 11:20:38 AM »
You can change them with hand tools. I just put a new back tire on (and balanced)  this morning in less than an hour.
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Offline jwh20

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #10 on: June 28, 2015, 11:31:14 AM »
It's not very clear what their definition of "hand tools" is.  If it means hammer, wrench, screwdrivers, then perhaps they are correct.  They would be difficult to change but not impossible.  But a set of tire irons will certainly do the job.  In fact the C14 tires are probably easier than many "cruiser" tires which have very stiff sidewalls.  But I'm sure that one of the Harbor Freight tire changers will do nicely and I can tell you that a No-Mar changer, which is totally "hand" powered, has no trouble with C14 tires at all.  My only advice before buying the HF unit is to check around on Craigslist locally for a used No-Mar.  They are similar but much better made.

By the way, I prefer to change my own tires because that way I know they been changed properly.  It been my experience that at most shops the "tire guy" is the one who isn't good enough to do anything else.  So he is relegated to tire changing.  No, it's not rocket science but an idiot can make a mess in a hurry.
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Offline MAN OF BLUES

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #11 on: June 28, 2015, 11:39:12 AM »
Quote from: PH14 on June 28, 2015, 10:39:04 AM
And the Harbor Freight tire changer doesn't qualify as a "hand tool," it is a tire changer, the exact thing the service manual says you need. The service manual does;t say you can't change a tire, it says it cannot be changed with hand tools, such as a tire iron.

service manual is wrong....
I've changed numerous tires using simple hand tools... I.e. 3 short motion pro tire irons, with plastic rim protectors, and simple wood blocks to hold the bead down in the rim. a lot of us have used this method, prior to buying an h/f tire holder... just mind the sensor location and use lube.
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Offline Flat-spot

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #12 on: June 28, 2015, 12:39:36 PM »
14 tires so far.  On the floor with tire irons and rim protectors.  Zero damage to rims, rotors, or TPMS units.  :finger_fing11:
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Offline PH14

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #13 on: June 28, 2015, 08:35:43 PM »
Quote from: Flat-spot on June 28, 2015, 12:39:36 PM
14 tires so far.  On the floor with tire irons and rim protectors.  Zero damage to rims, rotors, or TPMS units.  :finger_fing11:

 :chugbeer:
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Offline JerBear

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #14 on: June 29, 2015, 07:09:45 AM »
You can change them without tire replacement tool but it requires a lot of pushing, pulling and maybe a bit of sweat but there is a local shop that does it for about $25 OTD if I take the rims off the bike.  They charge $10 to just balance and $3 for tire disposal so I'll never do it the hard way again. Not to save $12.  Be sure to remind them of the sensor and its placement, if you forget that most bikes do not have one and the tire guy may crush yours by accident.
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Offline Rhino

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #15 on: June 29, 2015, 08:06:47 AM »
No different than any other bike. Just make sure the tires are warm or at least not sitting in a cold garage and use plenty of lube.
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Offline jimmymac

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #16 on: June 29, 2015, 09:51:47 AM »
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Offline VirginiaJim

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Re: Changing Tires
« Reply #17 on: June 29, 2015, 10:25:40 AM »
Mine does it for $20 but I take the old tire with me.
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