Changing your tyres at home

Discussion in 'Mods, Upgrades, Accessories and Products' started by Remal, Feb 28, 2012.

  1. Remal

    Remal It's ME
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2011
    Messages:
    14,565
    Likes Received:
    3,679
  2. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2011
    Messages:
    9,877
    Likes Received:
    6,654
    my local place - watling tyres - charge £15 per tyre to remove and fit new with wheels on the bike mate, so dont see the point when someone can do it for you whilst you have a cup of tea and chill out for half hour. £30 quid and how ofter do you change a full set???

    i'd never get tyres done at dealers for this reason, try your local tyre places, much easier and usually not as busy / have better selection in stock.

    not done it at home, but looks a pain in the arse to be fair - and have you seen how dirty they get ha ha
     
  3. Dave V

    Dave V Elite Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    2,345
    Likes Received:
    1,865
    Sure that 15 quid from Watlins is if you take the bike in and your buying the tyres from them? Sure the charge is for taking the wheels on and off the bike, rather than the fitting of tyres?
     
  4. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2011
    Messages:
    9,877
    Likes Received:
    6,654
    good point mate - didnt consider that.

    but to be fair, other than group buys, dont normally find them cheaper elsewhere....

    will find out cost of their fitting service though, as i got a set of racetech's to swap onto the bike for my track day in april
     
  5. dan.1moore1

    dan.1moore1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2011
    Messages:
    7,071
    Likes Received:
    1,009
    You probably could do it but have you ever tried changing a motorcycle tyre ?

    Even a scrambler tyre is a bitch to change . Stretching the tyre over the rim ain't easy and most people mince the rims with the tyre levers
     
  6. djfleming22

    djfleming22 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2011
    Messages:
    243
    Likes Received:
    46
    Me and the Mrs both have bikes and would cost a fortune to go to a garage to have the tyres changed ...yes so i do it myself.... plus i have been to the garages had the wheels done put the wheels bike on and they have not balanced i am sorry but i am one of those people that believe i only know the jobs done right if i do it myself.

    Yes both of those items are great and i use both of them ..Abba does a full tyre kit you can buy...it is the best one

    This a good video for changing tyres ...Change a motorcycle tyre by hand. - YouTube

    Now in the video it shows the guy putting in place plastic wheel protectors i don't use them i cut the plastic out of the big 6 litre milk cartons there a lot thinner and make it easier to try and get tyre over the rim and just work better

    This a very good one as well ...i used this one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AerHAYs435s

    and the last one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6FD_lXPYbM&feature=related

    If you need any further help gives us a shout
     
    #6 djfleming22, Feb 28, 2012
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2012
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Carl

    Carl Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2011
    Messages:
    2,609
    Likes Received:
    815
    When I won a set I took them to my local Grantham Honda and they charged me £30 to fit and balance both? I will do anything to my bike but not change my tyres, I need to know they are safe?

    Shop around Remal, and let someone else do it.
     
  8. Remal

    Remal It's ME
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2011
    Messages:
    14,565
    Likes Received:
    3,679
    Cheers all for the feedback. food for thought
     
  9. bluekontakt2004

    bluekontakt2004 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    831
    Likes Received:
    106
    I have done my own for the past year.

    bead breaker, ballancer from abba.

    decent quality tyre irons, tyre soap and rim savers.

    air compressor. you won't seat the bead otherwise.

    5 gram and 2.5 gram stick on weights.

    the rest is preference. knee pad, pad to rest wheel on so you don't scuff the rim.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  10. bluekontakt2004

    bluekontakt2004 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    831
    Likes Received:
    106
    I find the first time you do it you struggle like a bastid. The first time I did it I tried it dry with no lube. took me half an hour to get the tyre off and another hour to get it on. Once you have done it a few times you can do front and rear including removing an refitting the wheels to the bike in under an hour.

    I have a rear to change and will do it this weekend. Will do a video if you like showing you how I do it.
     
  11. Smiler

    Smiler Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2011
    Messages:
    242
    Likes Received:
    64
    Would be great if you could :)
     
  12. bluekontakt2004

    bluekontakt2004 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    831
    Likes Received:
    106
    Cool, Will do i video guide if I remember.

    For front tyres I remove the discs every time. Dont fancy wacking one of those with a tyre Iron. Plus it gives you more room for leaverage.
     
  13. Andrew

    Andrew Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 24, 2011
    Messages:
    1,659
    Likes Received:
    233
    I've just ordered myself a pair of Dymags, how easy is it to fit tyres without scratching the wheels?
    I'll be pissed if I or a fitter scratches my new wheels after forking out so much!
     
  14. Only1Matrixxx

    Only1Matrixxx Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2012
    Messages:
    865
    Likes Received:
    256
    WaaayyySaaaa!!! I can't imagine changing my tyre by hand!! Hats off to you guys!!
     
  15. bluekontakt2004

    bluekontakt2004 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2011
    Messages:
    831
    Likes Received:
    106
    Put it this way, I wouldn't do my first on a dymag!

    You will scratch the first couple of wheels you do untill you get the knack of it.
     
  16. Bats

    Bats Active Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2011
    Messages:
    1,039
    Likes Received:
    337
    Ive just bought a pair of sprotsmart 230 notes then i take wheels to me pal he changes tyre on his machine then i balnce on his machine :)

    No way would i do one without machine ;)
     
  17. bongo

    bongo Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2012
    Messages:
    243
    Likes Received:
    147
    It's probably not worth it if you ride on the roads and change tyres once or twice per year. If you ride on track and change tyres once, twice, or three times per ride, then it can save you a lot of money.

    I made some videos for a trackday/racing forum to help people save money and time. It's a handy thing to be able to do. Initially though, like Bluekontakt says, you will probably scratch your rims when you learn. I wouldn't change my own if i had carbon or mag wheels.

    I don't use rim protectors, as i powder coat the rims at the start/end of the season, and it's not a road bike.

    REMOVING

    FITTING

    The bead breaker is a lawn edger, reshaped, and with rubber on it to make it soft yet firm. I have done this for 4 years and it works 100%.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  18. Fletch

    Fletch Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2011
    Messages:
    475
    Likes Received:
    100
    I've got access to a full three arm 24" machine, bead Dester and balancer ... so I do change my own Tyres :)

    Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
     
    • Like Like x 1
  19. Bats

    Bats Active Member

    Joined:
    May 30, 2011
    Messages:
    1,039
    Likes Received:
    337
    Defo agree Bongo!
     
  20. Remal

    Remal It's ME
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2011
    Messages:
    14,565
    Likes Received:
    3,679
    flash git ^^
     

Share This Page