Tires, tubeless? Tube? Put them on yourself?

[bustinjustin2k]

you got it. new topic has been started.

titled "82 GS650E electric testing q's stator, coil. Earlfor rules."

everyone else here rules too btw but I can only fit so much in the subject

 

[mcycle-nut]

I would happily pay a shop 20 bucks to put a tire on if I could take it in, come back in an hour or so and go home with it. My last experience with a shop and having a tire mounted to a rim is why I now do my own. My 750 had spoked rims and I took my tire and the rim to the shop. Three days later they called me to say they had found time to do it and I could pick it up. The bill was $40.00. I put it on the bike and the next day it was flat. Apparently, they had nicked the tube when they mounted the tire, I took it back to be redone. Another three days and they called me again to pick it up. Charged me another $40.00. This happened two more times as the next day, the tire was always flat again. Two weeks later, $160.00 and four trips to and from the bike shop, I finally had a tire mounted that would hold air and I could use the bike again. I swore, never again.


Earl

No wonder you don't trust a shop to do it! 8O I guess I must count myself lucky! I ask my friend when the best time to bring my wheel(s) down for tire installation. I am there at the appropriate time, and it's done while I wait.

 

[Joe Nardy]

Last time I asked at the local dealer they wanted $30 a wheel if I brought the wheels in off the bike and $40 a wheel if I brought the bike in with the wheels on it. And that was if I bought the tires from them. If I bought my tires somewhere else it was even more. Bottom line, it would have cost me $380 for two tires if I bought them there and had them change them on the bike. I bought BETTER tires online for $202, changed them myself, and made a balancer using rollerblade bearings and scrap materials laying around in the garage. I spent $15 on a box of stick-on wheel weights that contains enough weights to balance everyone on this site's wheels. I've already helped one GS'er here in Chicago do his tires and have a couple more lined up. All I ask for is a case of beer!

I know there are other threads regarding tube/tubless wheels, but I have been using tubeless tires on my '83 1100E (whose wheels DO NOT say tubeless on them) for years with no problems. I also know several other riders doing the same. I know there is some risk doing this but I'd rather have tubeless tires that I can plug if I get a flat on the road than tubes which don't give you that option. Also, tube type tires tend to deflate very quickly (POP!) while tubeless tires often deflate much more slowly, giving a safety edge.

Joe

 

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm also lucky, like mcycle-nut, that I have someone who will install my tires for $20 each. The last thing I want to do is change tires, but I guess one has to do what one has to do, depending on individual circumstances.

It's hard enough to remove and replace the rear wheel on the GK. I'm glad I just swap wheels -- off with one, on with the other.

Good thread, guys.

Nick

 

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm also lucky, like mcycle-nut, that I have someone who will install my tires for $20 each. The last thing I want to do is change tires, but I guess one has to do what one has to do, depending on individual circumstances.

It's hard enough to remove and replace the rear wheel on the GK. I'm glad I just swap wheels -- off with one, on with the other.

Good thread, guys.

Nick

I guess I am also lucky. My shop in MD will install and the tire for free as long as it is purchased from him. At least that has been his policy for the past 15 years I have been dealing with his parts business in Md.

Drive in, pull the wheel off in the parking lot. Tire installed and drive away.
Sweet

Sadly for the past few years his business has suffered by trying to compete with online prices.

It has been my experience that low price is not always so sweet. When ever there is a problem he always makes it right.

Just my 2 cents.

Charlie

 

[saaz]

This is very interesting.

I used to chnage my own tyres, still can as it is basic technique. But I have found modern tyres are a lot stiffer and relatively harder to do. I still swear at changing a Dunlop Red Arrow tyre on my old waterbottle! Bit I have not had a puncture for many, many years.

Around here all the dealers usually change the tyre on a loose rim as part of the tyre purchase price. They all use tyre chnaging machines that never touch the rim, and use dynamic balancers. From the prices I have seen you guys pay over there in the Noth Americas, we seem to get cheaper tyres, even with changing included.

Soap is supposedly a no no these days with powerful bikes, as the rim can slip in the tyre.

 

[Joe Nardy]

Re: Tires, tubeless? Tube? Put them on yourself?

On the sidewall of the tire, you will see a small yellow (about 3/8") circle. This is the light point of the tire and the valve stem is located at this point.

You will need three tire irons, or two tire irons and a bead stop to install a tire. I use three tire irons, but since I have three hands, it isnt a problem for me.

Earl,
Just an observation regarding the dot on the sidewall. You are correct that this is the light point of the tire but I disagree with assuming the valve stem is the heavy point of the wheel. I take the wheel without a tire on it and put it on my home made balancer. I mark the heavy point and put the dot there. Of the five wheels I've checked in the last year (all mags) three of them were not heaviest at the valve stem. Two weren't very far off but one I did tonight was about 90 degrees away from the stem. This probably isn't a big deal but why not take an extra minute or two and find the true heavy point?

Also, I've always been able to get the job done with just two tire irons. But since I have just two hands that might explain that!

Joe

 

[earlfor]

Re: Tires, tubeless? Tube? Put them on yourself?

I agree Joe. Logically, the valve stem being steel and replacing a 3/8" diameter hole in an aluminum rim, should make that point on the rim the heavy point, but it would not be infallibly so. checking balance on the bare rim is a good idea.

Earl

Just an observation regarding the dot on the sidewall. You are correct that this is the light point of the tire but I disagree with assuming the valve stem is the heavy point of the wheel. I take the wheel without a tire on it and put it on my home made balancer. I mark the heavy point and put the dot there. Of the five wheels I've checked in the last year (all mags) three of them were not heaviest at the valve stem. Two weren't very far off but one I did tonight was about 90 degrees away from the stem. This probably isn't a big deal but why not take an extra minute or two and find the true heavy point?

Also, I've always been able to get the job done with just two tire irons. But since I have just two hands that might explain that!

Joe

 

[Evil Hobbit]

My buddy's motorcycle shop has a motorcycle tire machine. I take him the wheel, and it's done quickly and he balances it. No fuss, no muss, no busted and bleeding knuckles. Sure it costs a few bucks, but sometimes you just gotta cough up for this kind of stuff. How many of us change our own car exhaust systems? Not many I'm guessing. Sure most of us CAN do it, but it's such a pain in the ass. Same thing. 8)

You need to pick your battles. I have chosen never to change a tire on any thing bigger then a 700x25 ( that would be a bicycle). Its worth every pit of $20 dollars to have the bike shop do it.

 

[mdole]

I only change tires on the dirt bikes when I have too and never change the street bike tires.

New Mexico motorcycle will change them very reasonably and one of the guys that I ride trials with always has a tire-changing machine with him at the trials and he will change them for $10 a tire mounted and balanced.

Both of these sources stand behind their work and even though I've never had a problem with any tires they have done they always tell me that if there's a problem when I put the wheel back on the bike to bring it back and they'll take care of it.

Mike

 

[mcycle-nut]

I only change tires on the dirt bikes when I have too and never change the street bike tires.

Ouch! Those are the worst! Especially when you have to deal with a 5.10x18 knobby with two rimlocks! :x

 

[dpep]

My procedure for changing tires is as follows. I ride to the motorcycle shop, go to the service counter and say. "Put a new set of tires on my bike." Then I get a ride home with a friend who has followed me to the shop. A few days later I get a ride back to the shop and there are the new tires all snuggled around the rims. Nothing to it.

I am not a man of expensive tastes. I don't gamble; I don't woo expensive women; I don't drive fancy automobiles; I don't take luxury cruises. But one extravagance I do indulge is having someone else put on my motorcycle tires.

I respect, indeed admire, those of you who do. But I have reached an age where frustration and bleeding knuckles are completely without appeal.

 

[mdole]

I only change tires on the dirt bikes when I have too and never change the street bike tires.

Ouch! Those are the worst! Especially when you have to deal with a 5.10x18 knobby with two rimlocks! :x

Actually, on the trials bikes I have Akront rims on most of them so they were tubeless. The Fantic runs a tube because the rubber seal that seals the spoke has deteriorated enough to leak and a replacement isn?t available for the older Akront rims. The reason I don't change tires any more is that the Akront rims are a soft Aluminum alloy and really easy to damage with tire tools. The bikes run 4.50x18 rear Trials tires so they are pretty pliable but still have a really beefy sidewall to fight since they are tubeless tires.

Mike

 

[Paul]

I can do any job on a bike, anything but change a tyre.
I've got the correct tyre levers, I've tried various lubricants, I just cannot do it!
If I have to fit a tyre at home, my mate comes around and does it for me - with a teaspoon!
If I'm out & I get a puncture, either I call the get you home service or use a puncture sealant/temp repair.
I know, I'm holding my hand up I'm f****ng useless when it comes to tyres!

Well, after reading all the posts I don't feel so bad about my inability to change a motorcycle tyre - I seem to be in good company!