Changing and balancing your own tires?

[wardie]

Today my local shop had their tire machine broken down so I ended up spooning off the 190/50 ZR 17 Qualifier and on with a Bridgeston BT016. It took the better part of an hour and one-half lease: to manual lever the tire off. The new one went on reasonably smooth but to get the beed broken I had to use a large "C" clamp. I have the beed breaker but it just wouldn't push it down enough to get the beed loose. What a major pain in the arse. Balancing was no problem but man am I tired!!! Anyone have any like experiences getting the 190 off?

If I wasn't riding the bike to the Bash I probably would've held off but I figure 650 miles each way plus a couple hundred miles runnin' around... well, the tire just wouldn't make it so the new tires are on. Wardie

 

[Vic_E55_2001]

C clamp? Really? Next time try this.

Here it is: the world's cheapest (and most effective) motorcycle tire bead breaker!​

This method has not failed me yet; it works on bias or radial ply tires, old or new style rims, spoke or cast wheels.​

The only materials that are needed for this device are a couple of pieces of 2x4 lumber: One 2x4 (or 2x3), about 7 or 8 feet long, and a smaller piece, maybe a foot long or so.​

​

Place the wheel on the ground about 1 meter from a parked car. Make sure you lay a couple of pieces of 2x4 (or 2x3, as shown in photo left) under the rim to protect the brake disk rotor and rim from damage.
Slip the long 2x4 under the door sill of the car, and place the shorter piece on the edge of the tire, right up next to the rim.
You can get fancy if you'd like and put a hinge on the longer piece so that the shorter piece hangs down, but I find it more challenging (and easier) to simply hold the shorter piece and put a bit of pressure on it to keep it in place.
Place one foot over the opposite side of the rim, and lever away! Most tires will pop right off the rim with a bit o' pressure, but you may find that some tires need a sharp push to get the bead to break.​

In any case, this is the fastest, simplest and most effective method of bead breaking I've ever tried. It doesn't make levering the tire on and off the rim any easier, but it sure makes breaking the bead a piece of cake. Forget about all those expensive dedicated bead breaking tools -- you don't need 'em!​

 

[wardie]

I like it and may invest if I am ever stupid enough to have to get a 190 off again. Changed dozens of 180's and never had this problem but those rims were 5.5". I think the Busa is wider and deeper. Wardie

 

[BlueHaya]

My HF changer took the bead off nicely...I had a heck of a time getting the last 12-14" of the 190 on the rim when reinstalling.

 

[Hectic]

I'll just pay the stealership. Way too much of a P.I.T.A.

 

[dadofthree]

I haven't put one on the '08 yet, but put many a tyre on the '06. My first rear on the '06 ran me $100 labor / $200 tyre. Never went back to the dealer.

 

[Mr Bogus]

for 79 bucks you can go get a harbor freight tire changer with the motorcycle adapter.. then spend the $100 and get the wonderbar from NoMar... tire changes take about 10 minutes (15 if you include R&R time..) I have been doing them for guys at $10 each (off the bike) to cover the cost of beer

 

[Busa1166]

mounting for me is not to bad 20.00 each including balance.

 

[BusaWizard]

Just did mine at the job, we have a tire changer and balancer there.

 

[pashnit]

Change all my own by hand too. But I have a nice bead breaker and some good tire irons. I have to take the rotors off on the front when I break the bead on that one though.

I have this one. Buy Now: Motorcycle Bead Breaker Tire Iron Bead BrakR | Pashnit Moto
Moreso designed for the travel GS crowd, but it works.

Although really ought to spring for the Harbor Freight changer.



Then I gotta balance 'em. Balancer cost me $100, but it's paid for itself.

 

[Mr Bogus]

the HF bead breaker is a bit primitive but highly effective.. you do need to lay something on the ground that will not mar the rim when the breaker pushes down on the tire.. Just pinches the tire off the wheel against the ground..

 

[shadetree57]

for 79 bucks you can go get a harbor freight tire changer with the motorcycle adapter.. then spend the $100 and get the wonderbar from NoMar... tire changes take about 10 minutes (15 if you include R&R time..) I have been doing them for guys at $10 each (off the bike) to cover the cost of beer

Harbor Frieght My wife and I rode the busa to Valdosta today to check them out. They got a lot of stuff. We saw the tire changer but couldn't figure out how to get it back on the bike. Who am I kiddin, I rode the bike so I wouldn't buy anything but i'll have me one someday. Fixin to need new tires on the busa and my son's 1000. How far are you from Moultrie Ga. Bogus?

 

[Mr Bogus]

Harbor Frieght My wife and I rode the busa to Valdosta today to check them out. They got a lot of stuff. We saw the tire changer but couldn't figure out how to get it back on the bike. Who am I kiddin, I rode the bike so I wouldn't buy anything but i'll have me one someday. Fixin to need new tires on the busa and my son's 1000. How far are you from Moultrie Ga. Bogus?

just show up at bash with your bike and tires... equipment will be there..

 

[Micfitz]

No Mar here, changed and balanced a set off a 750 gixer tonight. no issues and no stealership scratching up the rims.

 

[Hayabusa2005]

Like the Harbor freight idea...

 

[Kensbusa]

When your balancing the tires what size cones are needed.Thinking about getting setup to doing my tires also.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[mike1180]

When your balancing the tires what size cones are needed.Thinking about getting setup to doing my tires also.
Posted via Mobile Device

You can make your own and use your OEM axles and then you won't need cones.:
https://www.hayabusa.org/forum/main...2-build-your-own-wheel-balancer-20-plans.html

 

[Kensbusa]

Thanks Mike, nice writeup.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[shadetree57]

just show up at bash with your bike and tires... equipment will be there..

If I could get the money back from Daytona Bictoberfest 2 years ago I would be there. I'm quite sure I'd have a lot better time. When things get better I'm Comin, just don't move it further north or west. Ya'll have a great time and be carefull.

 

[ks-waterbug]

+1 No Mar here as well.... I use the Medium cones