MAKE CHANGING TIRES EASIER!!!

[DoctorRzed]

I was thinking about changindg a tire and came up w/some ideas that would make it easier:

1. EASY WAY TO PREVENT SCRATCHING THE RIM-first let the air out and break the bead, then on the side you will be prying on the tire put a think tape all around the rim folding it around the inner side of the rimm and also the outter. You may have to put a couple of layers depending how thick it is(I used a masking tape and then covered it w/duct tape so I wouldnt have to clean the rim of the resadue from the duct tape) Then when you put the tire back on when it on then simply remove the tape.

2. PREVENTING PINCHING OF THE TUBE- Go to the local hardware store and get a thin layer of foam and stuff it around the tube where you will be using the tire irons to put on tire back on(You can use a piece of double sided tape to have the foam stick to the tube)

3. PUTTING A TIRE ON W/CLAMPS-I have never tryed this and it might not work, I was thinking you get the twist clamps maybe 8 or so and just tighten them all aroung until the tire is on using a leverage bar to make them extra tight? I am not sure this one works???

[ralphfurley]

things I do/use

I use the 12" bar clamps (Cheap at harbor freight)

to hold BOTH sides of the bead down.

remove valve stem

lots of tire mounting lube

leave in sun to warm old/new tires

I also use a tire change device mounted on plywood

(round pvc thing with center axle thing)

[fugitive47]

I use waterless hand cleaner for lube,ide: it is easy to clean up when your done and cheap. Plus you get a head start on cleaning your own hands. Use the cheap white stuff not the good orange stuff with the pumice.?

[strtdsmallproject]

ever since i went to wd40 made it easy. The other day i changed front and rear tires from on the bike in an hour. One good year of racing and i was a pro. I even use wd on 4 wheeler tires.

[johndeerekid]

i have an excell rim and its very soft and i found that if you cut some regular garden hose about 4 inches long and cut a slit from top to bottom on it and just slid it over where you are prying on the rim and it keeps from denting and scratching it and its re-usable and easy to take along with you.

when you are installing a tube it is a very good idea to cover it in baby powder so that it is not so sticky and if you happen to have the tube twisted up on the inside when you pump it up it will easily straighten itself out instead on staying twisted and possibly popping the tube.

also if you are dealing with a really tough tire and just cant seem to get the bead back on i highly suggest just getting some dish soap on the bead and it should slide right on.

messing with tubes and tires is a pain in the rear but after getting the above tips from friends its made it muchhhh easier. -Wes

[Snarf]

I use the baby powder trick too- it works AWESOME. Using that, along with two rim locks, I have never once gotten a pinch flat.

[resinlips]

There is a mid size heavy duty plastic garbage can that makes the perfect size for a changing stand. It's a little low but it's there in the shed and I take it on camping rides too.

With the right tools and knowledge, I now look forward to the task.

[FORMA MOTO]

Sun

WD40

Long Tire Irons

[toscaredtofly]

dish soap, baby powder, 20 min of cussing, 3 tire irons, and heat gun/sun

[Bazzaboy7]

i have an excell rim and its very soft and i found that if you cut some regular garden hose about 4 inches long and cut a slit from top to bottom on it and just slid it over where you are prying on the rim and it keeps from denting and scratching it and its re-usable and easy to take along with you.

Love the top tip to use hosepipe ....

Will get me some for next time !! Thanks ?

[kawi380]

I do it this way. Can't get much easier and I have yet to damage a rim:thumbsup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVcpZ...layer_embedded

[MaxPower]

I'm 47 years old. I recently I've got really really good at getting new tires on the rim with no skinned knuckles or aggravation. After removing the wheel from the bike, and leaving the tire on the driveway to get warm, I put the tire in the back of my truck and I drive it to the motorcycle shop. I pay my 10 dollars.Tip whoever changed it 5.Get whatever else I need to buy drive home and slip the wheel between the swingarm.My hands even stay clean!

I can change tires if I have to. As long as I have 15 dollars in my pocket I don't have to

Edited October 29, 2011 by MaxPower

[GCannon]

I changed 3 tire this last Sunday.

In all my years of riding I have never had a shop change a tire for me. (maybe I am doing it wrong)

However, I have recently taken great pride in "Torturing" my 13 year old while watching him learn how to change a tire. If you have not recently watched a kid change his first couple of tires then your missing out on one of life's amusing pleasures.?

Five gallon bucket and a low service stool are my tools of choice. I have a fancy tire changing stand I made that fits in the vice but almost always use the bucket.

The only real tip i have is that when you stick the tire iron in the tire to pry it on or off if you move the tire lever handle side to side about 2 or 3 inches before you start prying it will release the tube if you have it pinched. The tube should have enough air in it to give it shape if it is flat it is a lot easier to pinch

[Zachsv]

Never done it before, but this seems damned easy enough after watching this video.

[Leardriver]

I've changed 100's of tires, but after mounting a new Maxxis desert IT that was cold, since it's practically winter here, I almost swore off tire changing.

That was a stiff sidewall!

[rkwfxd1]

I'm 47 years old. I recently I've got really really good at getting new tires on the rim with no skinned knuckles or aggravation. After removing the wheel from the bike, and leaving the tire on the driveway to get warm, I put the tire in the back of my truck and I drive it to the motorcycle shop. I pay my 10 dollars.Tip whoever changed it 5.Get whatever else I need to buy drive home and slip the wheel between the swingarm.My hands even stay clean!

I can change tires if I have to. As long as I have 15 dollars in my pocket I don't have to

^ This

I do all my own work but I no longer change tires. As a side bonus, since I started doing this I haven't cussed, thrown a tire iron, pinched a tube, pinched my finger, smacked myself in the knuckles with a tire iron or scratched a rim or been angry at my bike.

[redhurricane]

I've changed 100's of tires, but after mounting a new Maxxis desert IT that was cold, since it's practically winter here, I almost swore off tire changing.

That was a stiff sidewall!

Try mounting a teraflex.

I use Maxxis desert IT's, preheat in the sun before trying to shoehorn them on. Always use WD40 and 12" tire irons. Once you get the routine down, its really not that hard. If the spent tire that is coming off is cold/stiff, I let the air out and ride around the block on it to warm up the rubber. Makes for an easy change. With 5 bikes, I change a few tires per year.

[capt justin]

I also pay the shop to do it. Call me lazy, but I just find it a lot easier and my time is worth more. I have changed many in my youth, I think my dad enjoyed watching me suffer.I now enjoy watching the mechanic at our local shop use the machine.If I buy my tubes and tires there they will do it cheap.

[Just_a_trail_rider]

I changed 3 tire this last Sunday.

In all my years of riding I have never had a shop change a tire for me. (maybe I am doing it wrong)

However, I have recently taken great pride in "Torturing" my 13 year old while watching him learn how to change a tire. If you have not recently watched a kid change his first couple of tires then your missing out on one of life's amusing pleasures.

Five gallon bucket and a low service stool are my tools of choice. I have a fancy tire changing stand I made that fits in the vice but almost always use the bucket.

The only real tip i have is that when you stick the tire iron in the tire to pry it on or off if you move the tire lever handle side to side about 2 or 3 inches before you start prying it will release the tube if you have it pinched. The tube should have enough air in it to give it shape if it is flat it is a lot easier to pinch

I changed three this past sunday as well. 1 - 21 inch and 2 - 18 inch desert tires. (all mx71's)

Instead of bucket, I have an old flower pot that I use. Its a bit wider than the 5 gallon bucket and it keeps the rear sprocket down and away from me so I don't hurt myself. I actually use the 5 gallon bucket as my stool.

After getting the tire off one side, I reach in and remove the tube. Then I flip the tire and pop the bead off the other side so that the entire rim sits inside of the tire. Then stand it up and simply pull the rim away from the tire with your hand. Its too easy.

2- 24 inch tire irons and the motion pro bead holder tool is what I use. It took an hour tops and I never broke a sweat.

I am no expert, but with the right tools, its easy.

It would have taken longer to take the tires to the shop.

[GCannon]

After getting the tire off one side, I reach in and remove the tube. Then I flip the tire and pop the bead off the other side so that the entire rim sits inside of the tire. Then stand it up and simply pull the rim away from the tire with your hand. Its too easy.

Me too once i get the rim inside the tire it is much easier to manipulate the valve stem and the rim lock. I have so much room to get the valve stem into the rim I never get pinched.