Do you change your own tires?

[FLCN72]

I'm just curious about our tire changing habits. With all that power, we do seem to eat through rear tires at an alarming rate. So how do we as a group deal with that?

 

[MET]

By tires at best price and keep them on the shelve until needed. Find a good shop to install. make sure they do not have a problem with other stores tire. it needs to be a shop where you spend money.

 

[Rhythm]

DIY

 

[dezzy7]

The guy who owns the shop that has done the work on my car for years rides a busa and his son races busas. So i'ld pay em the $30 to change out a set of tires. I'ld take em off the bike myself.

 

[TNJ]

It doesn't really cost that much to have a shop do it but I usually just do it myself.

 

[CorrodedAlien]

You forget one.... "I let the shop do it because I am too lazy to mess with it myself."

So I went with #4.

 

[gararnett]

I don't have a bead breaker and the power changer at my dealer is so fast. I only have tar-arns, so its a little harder to do on the Busa than say a spoked dirt bike or classic Triumph wheel. I had the rear done by the dealer, but if I had more at home, I'd do it myself. I think I just figured out what the wife needs to get me for Christmas!!!!!!!

 

[monsterspeedfreak]

I couldn't be bothered changing my own......especially since the local shop only charges $20

 

[BusaFever]

I would, but little time, no knowledge, or equipment. #6 4 me.

 

[cnjdawson]

These tires are actually easier to change than a dirt bike tire! Use an eight inch "C" clamp to break the bead. My secret is Dawn liquid soap, rub generously on the bead/rim and she slips right off/on.

 

[blas32]

Rear tires only last about 2500 miles so I change it with my friends tire changer and balancer.

 

[06BUSA]

I get tire's online.
I pull the rims and take them to a Hog shop. He only charges me 10 a tire since I been there enough. The other dealers want 38 and up to 68 per rim. That is mounted and balanced. I send all biz I can his way.

 

[Wag]

These tires are actually easier to change than a dirt bike tire!  Use an eight inch "C" clamp to break the bead.  My secret is Dawn liquid soap, rub generously on the bead/rim and she slips right off/on.

Gawd, if it's that easy . . . .

How do you install the new tire? Same way? C-clamp?

--Wag--

(I know, old post, just checking!)

 

[mrcheero]

Change them myself and take them to the shop for balancing

 

[pashnit]

I go through a set every two rides & go through a lot of tires so other day I took them to the local shop instead of normal Cycle Gear. Off the bike, the out the door cost was $86 to get them swapped out. Felt like an idiot really cuz I never asked what they charged, and nearly $90 is ridiculous. Almost went and bought a tire changing machine right then an there, was so riled about that. Back to Cycle Gear with another new set of 014's next week- they charge about $40.

I used to change my own over 10 yrs ago back in college days, pretty poor back then. And yes, I used a c-clamp and board to break bead. Tire irons to get new ones one, then Cycle Gear charge $5 per to balance.

 

[Wag]

Sounds like I just need a balancer. Already have the C-clamp. Look out, tires. Next one's on me!

--Wag--

 

[FloydV]

Hell no. I could, but I don't like grunt work.

 

[Busa05_KY]

I go through a set every two rides & go through a lot of tires so other day I took them to the local shop instead of normal Cycle Gear.  Off the bike, the out the door cost was $86 to get them swapped out.  Felt like an idiot really cuz I never asked what they charged, and nearly $90 is ridiculous.  Almost went and bought a tire changing machine right then an there, was so riled about that. Back to Cycle Gear with another new set of 014's next week- they charge about $40.  

I used to change my own over 10 yrs ago back in college days, pretty poor back then.  And yes, I used a c-clamp and board to break bead.  Tire irons to get new ones one, then Cycle Gear charge $5 per to balance.

Hey Pashnit,
You turned me on to alot of sites/info for my baby and your site kicks AZZ. Thanks for all you do. I especially like the video footage you have. I love the way your HMF sounds.
I was in LA last summer, went to Malibu via sunset. Saw one one the roads you speak of(topanga canyon?) I was wondering at the time how the hell you got on that road.

I took my rear off the bike and into the local shop for a change and balance. I think it was like $20, I can't remember.
Anyhow they put some small scratches on my rim and bubble balance. No biggie, i plan on getting chrome rims. Scratch them now we have a problem, bubble no big deal either. I am sure i could break the bead. Not sure about dismounting and mounting with tire iron without scratching. Any tips anyone.

Notice i am from KY, no offense to the member from prestonsburg, KY, but tar-arn. WTF. I can't spell either but that is FUNNY!



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[mrcheero]

Look in the mail order mags for a rim saver, a piece of plastic that goes under the tire iron. They also sell small bead breakers that I've had good luck with. I have some aluminum tire irons that I got from someone years ago. They might be home made. It shouldnt be hard to make a set.

 

[Hossheim]

If you can afford a No Mar Tire Changer, you might want to get one. I bought one last fall and have already done 5 sets of tires on it. It doesn't chew up the rims, it doesn't take long to learn (the first tire I did was the rear tire on my 'busa), and their customer support has been great. I can now change a set of tires in about 2 hours from the time I roll the bike onto the hoist until I drop the hoist again. The nearest shop to me is over an hour away, so I save a lot of time when I do my own changes. The cost to change two tires used to run me about $50 at a shop and then about $10 in gas to run the rims back and forth. I figure it will take 15 sets of tires to make the machine pay for itself. So, in less than two years the machine will have earned its keep, sooner if I do work for my friends... well, at least they bring the beer!
Steve