Tire mounting at home

[nm6r]

I bought a Harbor Freight tire machine (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=34542) quite a while back. They periodically put them on sale for a really good price. I also bought the motorcycle tire changer attachment (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=42927) to go with it. I finally bolted it down and decided I was going to do my own tires this time. I did some research and found an excellent wheel balancer (http://www.marcparnes.com/Honda_Motorcycle_Wheel_Balancer.htm) and ordered it. Now I've got all the tools and determination, just lacking the experience. I studied this nicely done tire change gallery (http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/tirechange). How hard could it be? Mark from this forum has done his own tire changing many times so I knew I would have someone to ask questions if I get stuck.

I started with the rear tire. I can't express how valuable nylon rimsavers are. Don't even try to use cut up milk cartons as I've seen previously suggested. The rimsavers fit the rims, stay put and are extremely durable. My wife and I spent all day removing, mounting and balancing the rear. We learned a lot. I think the key things are to keep the bead in the valley of the wheel oposite the side you are removing and to use lots of lube.

The next day we attacked the front tire. It was on the verge of being easy. We knocked it out pretty quickly. I'm guessing part because of the size and I'm hoping part because it was our second attempt at tire changing. I'm thinking the rear will be almost as easy next time.

My point of all this yammering is, you can change your own tires at home with minimal expense in tools/equipment. You can save trips to the dealer, expense at the dealer and probably do a better job. For example, the heavy spot on both wheels was not the valve stem as is usually assumed.

Here are a couple videos that Mark sent me after I was done.

Tire dismount video (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1602699568054078636&q=myself)

Tire mounting video (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6663854418725116794&q=myself)

This guy makes it look way too easy. We did learn a few things on our own that he does. I found I was being very slow and cautious. Next time I'm going to try being faster, stronger and more deliberate like the guy in the videos. That should keep things moving rather than binding. The more information you can start with, the easier it will be.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[tkresler]

I understand how great a feeling it is to do some things yourself, but why tires? Oil, tune ups, general maintenance makes sense to me, but I'll let the dealer do mine.

Good job though. I'm impressed!

Tim

[nurseBob]

This is great info! Like STP, I've been paying a ton for tire changes. If the prices are right, I'd hit my break-even point on the third set. Now, all I'm going to need to find is a place to mount all the equipment.

[yoitsmatt!]

i change all my dirt tires have for years, no special tools other than tire spoons needed, my local dealer used to charge me $5 a tire if i brought the rims to him and bought the tires from him, and that was electronic spin balanced too, if it was much more id buy my own stuff too!

[nurseBob]

I found a place on the cement behind the garage that I could mount the tire changer and have access to all sides with nothing in the way. I marked and drilled the four holes and inserted the anchors and did a test fit. When I need to change tires I bolt the machine down when it is not in use it has found a home in a corner out of the way and weather.
Paul,

Thanks for the suggestion. Maybe I can dredge-up some of my ten years as a carpenter doing heavy construction (poured hundreds of yards of concrete, as well as setting all kinds of anchors, etc.). Hmmm... If I offered enough beer do you think I could get some of the others here to mix & pour while I supervise???;)

[nurseBob]

If all goes according to schedule Wednesday morning I will be cutting a 80" x 24" hole in my garage floor cement. I will then need to remove 12 1/2" of dirt to pour a 5" slab in the bottom of the hole. The walls will need about 3" of cement to fill the gap between the existing floor and the floor in the hole. Then my lift will be flush with the floor. I will supply beer to anyone that lends a hand.

Paul
Paul,

Since you're pouring far less than a yard, are you planning to use sackcrete? If so, invest in a sack of cement and add a shovel-full or two of cement to the sack mix for every bag you mix. They tend to be pretty poor in their cement content and don't make very strong concrete without a little help. Also, if you can avoid the temptation, don't add too much water to the mix either. The wetter the mix, the weaker the final concrete will be.

[newbornst1300]

Paul,

Since you're pouring far less than a yard, are you planning to use sackcrete? If so, invest in a sack of cement and add a shovel-full or two of cement to the sack mix for every bag you mix. They tend to be pretty poor in their cement content and don't make very strong concrete without a little help. Also, if you can avoid the temptation, don't add too much water to the mix either. The wetter the mix, the weaker the final concrete will be.

If you have access to some sand and gravel you could make your own concrete at 1/4 the cost of sacrete and stronger as well.
1 part portland cement to 1 part sand to 1.5 parts gravel by volume worked really well for me when pouring the pad for the hot tub. Also a cement mixer makes the job a lot easier and can be rented for reasonable cost. Also only add enough water to make the mixture workable as more water weakens the mix.

[Mark]

Thanks again for sharing Ray. Sooo, If I did all the math right, about $250 bucks on equipment and you're doin your own tires?? I think the last time I had the Stealer do it, they charged me $175. I see the light...:)

It shouldn't cost that much...

The HF tire changer and MC attachment go on sale regularly, wait for the sale prices and you'll pay about $70 combined.
The tire spoons I use; 2 long and 1 short, I found at jcwhitney. They look the same as the motion pro that sell for lots more.
The tire lube I make using a recipe I found on the STlist quite a while ago:

> You can make your own tire lube if you want.
> (David Ryder's Recipe)
>
> 70% Murphy's oil soap
> 15% antifreeze (I use dexcool)
> 15% water
>
> This stuff is so slick it will slide up hill.

I have balanced ST1100 tires on one of bars that came with the HF MC attachment resting on 2 jackstands; but, I have heard that the ST1300's wheel bearings are stiffer so it is harder to to a good balance; so, I used 8 rollerblade bearings and made an attachment for the jackstands. Now the same bar, with the wheel on it, will rest on the rollerblade bearings.

You'll need 1/4 ounce weights and you'll either have to find them local or order them... I was given some by a friend who bought a box of them.
(Or if you're *really* frugal you can make your own from directions on one of the tire-changing-directions websites.)

I think I have about $120 into my tire changing setup and have changed more than 10 tires, at $30/tire (if you bring your rim and tire into a place that will change them) I've paid for at least tires.
And every scratch in my rim was put there by me: so I don't have to whine about the $Tealer's tire monkey! :-)

good luck,
Mark

[newbornst1300]

> You can make your own tire lube if you want.
> (David Ryder's Recipe)
>
> 70% Murphy's oil soap
> 15% antifreeze (I use dexcool)
> 15% water
>
> This stuff is so slick it will slide up hill.


Thanks for the recipe Mark, it should work a lot better than plain ol dish soap and it'll taste sweeter too :eek:

[Mark]

Thanks for the recipe Mark, it should work a lot better than plain ol dish soap and it'll taste sweeter too :eek:

Sampling of the 'Slick STuff' is *not* recommended! :rolleyes:

Mark

[number9]

Wow those videos sure are getting around. I made those after a discussion on the ST email liST about the Harbor Freight tire change bar vs. the Wicko tire change bar. I have the Wicko tire changer (HF unit is a copy of it). The only major difference is the Wicko comes with a sweet tire change bar that has nylon inserts at each end for mounting and removing the tire without scratching your wheels (it also comes with the steel bar like the HF unit has). Also, I made the video to show that you don't need to use tire irons with the Wicko (or HF) tire changer and if you are, you only bought a glorified wheel clamp which you could make from an old 14" car wheel and threaded rod.

The Wicko tire change bar really makes tire changes fast and easy. Dick Seng had a run of tire bars made that were like the Wicko units and offered them on the liST.

Even though the Wicko tire changer cost $388 shipped and the Handy wheel balancer was around $150 or so, I have easily paid for them over the year or so I have had them. Around here I had to pay around $50 to get the tires changed when I took the wheels to a dealer. Some dealers won't change the tires if you don't buy them there at their high prices. The one dealer that would decided to charge me a $20 penalty fee for carrying my own tire in. That's when I decided to buy my own equipment and do it myself. Plus, I will know the job is done right if I do it. The R6 goes through tires pretty fast and I am on my 2nd front and 3rd rear on the ST so tire changes happen several times a year for me. Plus sometimes I will change tires for a few local guys for $10 or $15 bucks or for free depending on how fast they want them and what I have going on at the time.

One other thing to add - I would never think of drilling holes in my garage floor. I mounted the tire changer on 2 sheets of 4'x4' 3/4" thick plywood stacked together. I also screwed & glued 2x4's on top so the tire changer base would sit over them. I then bolted the tire changer down and it had been solid and sturdy. This allows me to slide the changer out in the middle of the garage floor to use it and then slide it back in the corner and out of the way when done. I have since moved it to my 8'x12' out building. I can get some pics of the setup if anyone wants to see them.

[Simmons1]

I would like to see some pictures of the wood mounting platform.

Thanks

[nm6r]

number9, thanks for the videos. I'm sure countless riders have learned from them. I know I did.

Since I was going to have to purchase products to make the Slick Stuff, I just bought a gallon of RuGlyde from my local Napa Auto Parts store. I have read dish soap is NOT recommended for m/c tire use as it doesn't dry and can leave you with the tire slipping on the wheel. I have absolutely no idea if this is true or not (I read it on the internet so it must be true).

I cut a piece of rimsaver and ziptied it to my HF bar as was described in the tire change gallery without success. I wonder if there is another clever way of improving the HF bar? or maybe purchase a Wicko or Wicko clone bar?

number9, how about a few pictures of the Wicko bar?

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[number9]

Here are some pics of the Wicko changer and tire bar from another site I found before deciding which changer to buy. The balancer in the background is the same one I have from Handy Industries.

http://www.gwfweb.com/cycles/pages/mc110.htm

Due to the HF unit (being a reported China knock-off) Wicko will not sell the tire bar seperately unless you can provide a sales receipt showing that you actually have thier changer - or so I have heard.

I can get some pics tomorrow of the mounting I made.

[karaszp]

To each his own bro. I take my wheels off, deliver them with new tires to the stealer and he charges me $20 ea. for mounting, balancing and disposing of the old ones. Tires $200 a set from Southwest Moto Tires. Repeat every 10K miles. I'm willing to do just about everything else short of pulling the engine from the frame; but not tires. One of these days age will catch up with me and then I'll have to let the stealer do it all. But until then ...

Pete

[ligito]

Dick Seng (the PIAA light and bracket guy) was making improved tire bars for the HF tire machine. I don't konw if he still does.

I bought a set of the improved tools but don't have a machine, if someone in the NW (Portland) area needs some for theirs.

I bought them in case someone locally wanted to split the cost of the machine and tools. I don't have the muscles for it.

[nm6r]

Pete, I have been taking my mail-ordered tires and wheels to my local dealer for some time now. Quite frankly, I'm tired of paying $70 for the inconvenience and wasting a day. They want me to drop everything off first thing in the morning and pick it up at 5:00pm. It turns out, they weren't even doing the job properly. The heaviest part on each of my wheels isn't the valve stem as they were assuming.

This way I'm also not at their mercy if I want to change tires on Sunday, Monday, a holiday or some evening.

One thing for sure, tire changing isn't for everyone. Of course, other maintenance isn't for everyone either that's why the dealers offer oil changes, etc.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[number9]

Sorry guys, I forgot (again :scared2: ) to get pics of the mount setup on the tire changer. I will make a reminder note to do it tomorrow when I get home from work. I don't have any lights in the out building.

[number9]

Tire change stand mount pics here http://community.webshots.com/album/195532119CvSbLU

[Simmons1]

Thanks for the pictures. It looks like I just found my next rainy day project.

[karaszp]

Ray,
I see your point. In my case I have to do it on Saturday. I arrive at opening time (9:30) and I'm back out the door in an hour or less. They always did a good job so far, no indications of imbalance. By afternoon I'm back on the road if I want to be.

Ride safe

Pete

[AZST]

I think I have about $120 into my tire changing setup and have changed more than 10 tires, at $30/tire (if you bring your rim and tire into a place that will change them) I've paid for at least tires.
And every scratch in my rim was put there by me: so I don't have to whine about the $Tealer's tire monkey! :-)

good luck,
Mark

Hey Mark....what are you charging local AZ STs for tire changes??

I'd like to be able to say, "...every scratch in my rim was put there by Mark..." :D

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

[BigBadblue]

i change all my dirt tires have for years, no special tools other than tire spoons needed, my local dealer used to charge me $5 a tire if i brought the rims to him and bought the tires from him, and that was electronic spin balanced too, if it was much more id buy my own stuff too!

Tube dirt tires are way easier than tubeless, I do both and I would rather do 4 tube tires before I would chose to do one tubeless. Just have some good tire irons, a vise, a 5 gallon bucket and some clamps and I'm good to go, well maybe another set of hands would be nice too, that's what kids are for.

[BigBadblue]

This is an excellent product for keeping the bead in the valley. I consider it a must have if you are working alone.

http://www.nomartirechanger.com/NoMarmainFrameset.html
Go to accessories then scroll down to Xra Hands.

Paul

I have been using some small woodworking "pistol clamps" to squeeze the tire in. Not as slick as those though, but effective.

[Biddyman]

I understand how great a feeling it is to do some things yourself, but why tires? Oil, tune ups, general maintenance makes sense to me, but I'll let the dealer do mine.

Good job though. I'm impressed!

Tim

The dealer in Peoria doesn't even lube the tire putting it on and chargers way too much.

[Mark]

Hey Mark....what are you charging local AZ STs for tire changes??

I'd like to be able to say, "...every scratch in my rim was put there by Mark..." :D

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:

Beer of course! :-)

Another nice thing about having your own changer...
If anybody gets caught with an unrepairable flat near Tempe give me a call... I've got a truck and usually have my last tire available as an emergency fix (sometimes, like right now, I have a new set of Avons) to get you back on the road.

PLEASE NOTE: I *do not* take imaginary beer in payment!

Mark

[MadMan2945]

With reguards to changing tires your self manually, which I think I can do, where do you get the rim protectors to protect the rims while using the Harbor Freight tire changer. Also where is a good place to get the tire irons?
Madman:03biker:

[newbornst1300]

These are far and away the best rim protectors out there.
http://www.kowatools.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AKS2000&Product_Code=AKS-280-1010&Category_Code=REMOVAL

Tire irons are available at most local shops.

Paul
Those are the same rim protectors I picked up from CalSport and they work really well but don't forget to tie a string on them in case they fall inside :eek:

[jdub]

Nice instructions on "The Tire Change Gallery". I just recieved my HF tire changer. Where do I purchase the plastic rim savers?
Regards,
jim

[SporTnTR]

What was the consensus with regards to using silicone spray as a tire change lube?
In past I have used liquid dish soap mix. I personally have never had it slip after, but find it drys too quickly in process, and am in search of something better. I would like to use the silicone if someone says they've never had a problem with it.

Thanks in advance for any and all opinions. Whatever you suggest, prefer to be able to get it locally in Canada.

[Mark]

I have been using the recipe below since I started doing my own.
My B-I-L hadn't ever used lube... after he used this with me he has always used it...
> You can make your own tire lube if you want.
>
> (David Ryder's Recipe)
>
> 70% Murphy's oil soap
> 15% antifreeze (I use dexcool)
> 15% water
>
> This stuff is so slick it will slide up hill.

[SporTnTR]

Thanks Mark. Is there actually oil in this soap? Or is it a case of what's in a name? :confused: Oil wouldn't be good for rubber I wouldn't think?

I have heard of Murphys. I wonder if such a thing is sold under other names also? Obviously it doesn't slip on you when dry?

[George]

What was the consensus with regards to using silicone spray as a tire change lube?
In past I have used liquid dish soap mix. I personally have never had it slip after, but find it drys too quickly in process, and am in search of something better. I would like to use the silicone if someone says they've never had a problem with it.

Thanks in advance for any and all opinions. Whatever you suggest, prefer to be able to get it locally in Canada.

NEVER, EVER use silicon on motorcycle tires!!!! WAY to slipper and it don't go away quickly. It'll put you on yur @*** faster 'n snot (which is pretty slippery, too. ;^)

I bought a tub Big Truck of tire mounting soap at the local auto parts store. It's made especially for mounting tires, slippery enuff but causes no problems. It's pretty thick, can even be used to "pack" the bead so it'll spread and seat easier. Excess can be thrown back in the bucket. I paid ab out #20 for enuff to last a lifetime.

[Mark]

Thanks Mark. Is there actually oil in this soap? Or is it a case of what's in a name? :confused: Oil wouldn't be good for rubber I wouldn't think?

I have heard of Murphys. I wonder if such a thing is sold under other names also? Obviously it doesn't slip on you when dry?

I can't tell you if there is oil in Murphy's ( well actually I can... All soap is a mixture of a fat and a strong base. IIRC detergents are dino-based oil and a strong base).

I can tell you that once this is dry there is no slipping, even when I get it wet again I don't think it slips.
As a bonus, I use whats on the rim with a green scrubby to clean it while changing the tires.

Mark

Mark

[wefcisco]

As I'm in need of a new tires for both of my bikes, I've been reading this thread with a great deal of interest. At the very least, I would like to remove the wheels so I don't need to bring the entire bike to the dealer which raises a couple of questions:

1) When removing the rear wheel, if you only have the center stand to support it, Are you going to be able to get the wheel out from under the rear fender ? If not, how do you get the bike off the ground sufficently to get the rear wheel out from under the rear fender. The answer to this may be obvious once I actually tried to remove the wheel, but I would like to know what I'm getting myself into BEFORE I start :^)

2) If taking the wheels to a dealer, I would want to have both wheels off the bike at once so I don't have to make 2 trips to get the tires mounted. If the bike is on the center stand to support the rear, how do you support the front with the wheel removed ? A floor jack under the front of the frame?????

I'd like to be more self reliant with regards to bike maintenance so any info would be greatly apprciated.

Wayne

[Mark]

To keep both ends off the ground I use a floor jack with a piece of 2x4 in between the exhaust pipes is what I use on the ST1100, I don't remember if I need the 2x4 on the ST1300 though...

You can get the back tire and rim out if you take the fender off; but, since I have the floor jack under there I just have a person steady the bike while I lift it high enough with the jack to roll the tire out.
(Because the bike is quite high the person steading the bike always gets an odd look on their face when the bike goes up that high... :D)

Mark

[Steve Jones]

I haven't changed my own tires yet, and haven't pulled the trigger on buying a changer, but I hear nothing but good about the NoMar stuff. Much more expensive than the HF stuff for sure... I can't say if they are worth it but I hear from people who have used NoMar that they would never use anything else again.

They have a free dvd they will send you at this link (http://www.king-cart.com/n0m5rent/product_name=FREE+-+DVD+of+all+our+training+videos/exact_match=exact)

[squirrel Hunter]

+ 1 on the NoMar. Three of us were going in on the Harbor Freight system, but by time we were ready to buy there was 11 of us. We voted to spend big money(80 Bucks each) for the base model with stand and extras. Keeping in his excellent shop which is stocked with 29 different micro-brew's:capwin: The rule has been no drinking until the tire is mounted and on the bike, so now we can get to the:beer8: sooner:D

Mike:03biker:

[2005RedRider]

Fellows,

You don't need no stinking tire changing machine ...:cool:

Take a look at the following link:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7546109776315225781

Dale:biker:

[Byron]

Mike,

Even though I have a No-Mar can I come to your place to change my tires then? :D

[Austin city limits]

I have the Harbor Frieght Tire changer,,, and Motorcycle attachment,,, still after 2 years,,, STILL,,, in the boxes,,, unopened...

I just today took my own tires to the dealer and rode in with them strapped on the luggage rack...

:::::cue the Beverley Hillbillies theme music:::::

He took my bike,,, took off the wheels,,, took off the tires,,, put on the new tires,,, balanced the new tires perfectly,,, checked my brake pad,,, greased where it needed grease,,, with the proper grease,,, reinstalled the tires,,, reinstalled brake pads...

It took him 2 hours,,, 3 different people worked on it in that 2 hours,,, and I got charged $54...

The Tire Changing Boxes will stay under the bench for a while longer... :cool:

[Kevin_56]

Terry - Here I thought you were going to offer a ChangeSTOC during Moonshine. $54 and you did not get any dirt under your fingernails. Sounds like a deal to me.

Kevin

[squirrel Hunter]

Mike,

Even though I have a No-Mar can I come to your place to change my tires then? :D

Totaly dude, just bring a 6 back of your favorite micro and will help drink it with you:D

[Austin city limits]

Terry - Here I thought you were going to offer a ChangeSTOC during Moonshine. $54 and you did not get any dirt under your fingernails. Sounds like a deal to me.

Kevin

You know,,, maybe some year,,, we COULD have that happen!!! We could get everyones tires shipped here and get some locals to change them for some extra cash... :cool:

[ST1300 Alicia]

In Fresno it will cost you about $50.00 if you bring in just the wheels. I think I save $175.00 by ordering on the NET and doing the whole job at home. I bought the No-Mar Jr Pro complete set. For me it's not about the money, It's about the Jail Time. You see in my old age, I no longer have any patients. When I went in and no one had any idea where my wheels were, that I could check back next month, I'd have to KILL Someone. I bought something from Best Buy.com last week. It did not work, so I took it back to the store I picked it up from. The Clerk said there was no problem with returning it, but she could not exchange it. I would have to get a credit and then go home and reorder it on-line. Then, since the item was in stock, I could drive straight back to the store and pick up my order. Or I could buy it in the store for $45.00 more. You don't even want to know about the wire-less headphones that were the wrong ones. See It's all about the JAIL TIME.
Alicia.............Born to be FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hojo in sc]

Fellows,You don't need no stinking tire changing machine ...:cool: Take a look at the following link:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7546109776315225781

Dale:biker:

I haven't changed my own tires YET, so how come he didn't use the rim protectors when putting the tire back ON?

Also, my shop charges $30.00 per tire, if you bring in your own tires.

[2005RedRider]

Hojo,

I wondered why he didn't use the rim protectors when installing the tires also. I don't know why. :confused: I would have used them. :rolleyes:

Dale :cool:

[hojo in sc]

Are the rim protectors easy to take off after the tire is on, I'm thinking yes, at least before the bead is sealed on (inflated).

[nm6r]

Are the rim protectors easy to take off after the tire is on, I'm thinking yes, at least before the bead is sealed on (inflated).


Yup.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[BigBadblue]

Hot-Dog! Got a HF tire stand and a NoMar bar this weekend, I have it together/modded and bolted to the floor this afternoon and completed my homemade balancer, which turned out quite good. During the week I am going to do a couple dirt bike tires for my two sons in preparation for this Saturday's Carnegie Hill climb to gain some experience with the new tools and then change the ST tires next Sunday. Tally ho, more control for me and less for the Stealer.

[ST/SV]

Fellows,

You don't need no stinking tire changing machine ...:cool:

Take a look at the following link:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7546109776315225781

Dale:biker:He made that look waaaaaay to easy.