What do I need to mount my own tires?

[katata1100]

Could people post what they use and the costs?
I'm especially curious to hear what you use to balance them.
Thanks!

[4cedars]

I use the Harbor Freight changer which is not available anymore, unfortunately. It is a little temper mental to use on heavy sidewall tires, but it gets the job done. I did invest in some regular tire lube and a swab, this helps out quite a bit.

To balance, I use the Harbor Freight balancer. It is inexpensive and I have balanced my Connie, a few Harley and Dark side Goldwing rear tires on it to perfection.

John

 

[OregonLAN]

You need $25.00 per tire and a couple of hours to kill. This is what my dealer charges me to change and balance my tires:

For a DIY install I would recommend:

1. A motorcycle bead breaker/tire stand (about $140.00 for a "good" one)
2. 3 high quality no-mar motorcycle tire spoons/irons (~$20.00 each)
3. Rim protectors (~$8.00 a set)
4. Some soapy water or Windex in a spray bottle
5. An air compressor

Oh yeah, now to balance them:

1. Static balancing stand (about $70.00 for a decent one)
2. Wheel weights (~$10.00 a set)

Finally some necessities:

1. Band aids
2. Rags
3. Orange hand cleaner
4. Beer, alcohol or "medication"
5. A private place to scream obscenities
6. An understanding wife or girlfriend

One thing you must understand about changing tires is that it sucks without professional equipment. Aluminum rims damage easily and replacement TPMs are expensive. If you have multiple bikes and change tires often, it might be worth the investment. If not, save yourself a lot of time, effort and grief by removing the wheels from the bike and taking them to the dealer to have changed.

Just my .02

[goodthymes]

Saw this at a motorcycle show. I decided it is way easier to just pay somebody for the few times a year I need a change.

www.nomartirechanger.com

[cablebandit]

One thing you must understand about changing tires is that it sucks without professional equipment. Aluminum rims damage easily and replacement TPMs are expensive.

Just my .02

You're obviously doing it wrong.

[4cedars]

+1

[katata1100]

In my neck of the woods  all the shops charge more than $25
For a mount/balance. Making matters worse, they charge full retail price on tires 
Much more than what you can get via the'net.

[OregonLAN]

You're obviously doing it wrong.

I've probably changed less than 20 motorcycle tires in my entire life and maybe 2k - 3K vehicle tires working  for Ford Motor Corp. All it takes is 1 stubborn tire and it's worth every penny buying the right equipment and/or taking them to a dealer and letting them accept responsibility for a broken TPM, bead or damaged rim. I work on my own bikes, but I don't see the value in changing my own tires given the  filth, labor, risk of damage and minimal costs. Besides, most motorcycle shops will install them for free if you buy tires from them. If you're only option is to buy tires from the Internet, then spend a little extra money and buy some decent equipment and tools...

[cablebandit]

I've probably changed less than 20 motorcycle tires in my entire life and maybe 2k - 3K vehicle tires working  for Ford Motor Corp. All it takes is 1 stubborn tire and it's worth every penny buying the right equipment and/or taking them to a dealer and letting them accept responsibility for a broken TPM, bead or damaged rim. I work on my own bikes, but I don't see the value in changing my own tires given the  filth, labor, risk of damage and minimal costs. Besides, most motorcycle shops will install them for free if you buy tires from them. If you're only option is to buy tires from the Internet, then spend a little extra money and buy some decent equipment and tools...

You're obviously doing it wrong.

[Supatramp]

Besides, most motorcycle shops will install them for free if you buy tires from them.

Not on my side of the Rockies. The practices of dealers in my area, never stops ceasing to amaze me.

[lt1]

You're obviously doing it wrong.

LOL

I will admit that sometimes the job is harder than others.  For instance, the 17 year old tires that had to be cut off with a Sawzall.  I have found that liberal application of RuGlide makes mounting and dismounting the tires much easier.

[Rhino]

I have a set of spoons, a bead breaker I made from 2X4's and some strapping and this static balancer:

http://www.marcparnes.com/Universal_Motorcycle_Wheel_Balancer.htm

It takes me less time then riding to the dealer and back. The C14 is especially easy due to the center stand and with the bags off the rear wheel is very easy to remove.

[Rhino]

Oh and don't forget you need a compressor and I use a ratchet strap around the center of the tire to engage the beads to re-inflate the tire to pop the beads back on. And last but not least a bucket of lightly soapy water.

[GIXXERKELLY]

I have the Cycle Hill tire changer and static balancer. I decided to do my own because of my schedule and to save money on the tires and the labor of mounting/ balancing. My GSXR 750 sees regular tire changes since it's a track bike. There are videos on Youtube of people changing with homemade changers and min. tools. I got tired of waiting for ever for my tires to get changed and paying through the nose for the tires and labor. I think the last time I paid a shop to do it i was out over $400 

If you have the money, look at the No-Mar/ Cycle Hill packages. they have videos on youtube also.

[rcannon409]

I've always done my dirtbike tires and became semi-competent in doing so. Are the streetbike tires any harder?  Breaking the bead looks tougher, but no rim locks has to be an advantage.

[Rick Hall]

Hunk of junk 2x4 cut into a couple of pieces to make a bead breaker. Two pieces for skids to keep the rim and rotors off the ground, one short piece cut at an angle for the 'wedge', a long piece (like 3') for the lever. Use a door jamb, wall, whatever; for the fulcrum point.

Three long tar/tahr/tire/tyre spoons. Jug of Ru-Glyde (NAPA), some split vinyl tubing for rim protectors (optional after practicing on someone elses wheels )

Set of old wheel bearings, seals/shields removed, and degreased well. Combine these with the wheel, a couple of chairs, and the axle to balance. Basically this is a frugal Marc Parnes balancer. I dare say I can get balanced to < a gram with this setup.

Rick

[OregonLAN]

I've always done my dirtbike tires and became semi-competent in doing so. Are the streetbike tires any harder?  Breaking the bead looks tougher, but no rim locks has to be an advantage.

The hardest part about removing a street bike tire (one that's not fused to the rim from age) is breaking the bead and keeping the tire compressed while you work your tools around the edge. Breaking the bead is a bit more difficult on a street bikes. Not having to deal with the rim lock a big +.

[katata1100]

Local dealer wants $415 plus tax of $32= $447 for the tires, $60 to mount both with wheels brought in, or $70 to mount with bike brought in. There are a couple of small independent places that i need to check out but they will be closed until monday.
Delivered to house, the same set of PR3's runs $322, $125 less, which I'd love to see spent on tire tools.
How does this look?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/65/38786/ITEM/Motorsport-Products-Portable-Tire-Changer-with-Bead-Breaker.aspx?SiteID=SLI|Tire%20Changing%20Tools&WT.MC_ID=10010

[rtarp1]

PR3's asrrivedtoday 190/55/17 rear  328 delivered for both . shop wants 150 to mount both with bike brought in .   478 total.   is 150 too high to mount both?

[katata1100]

PR3's asrrivedtoday 190/55/17 rear  328 delivered for both . shop wants 150 to mount both with bike brought in .   478 total.   is 150 too high to mount both?

Probably- the shop I was at told me with bike brought in, start to finish is about 1.5 hours, their posted labor rate is $80 per hour, so that should be about $120.