Changing A
Motorcycle Tire
Changing a
motorcycle tire yourself can be done safely if you have
some basic tools. The only difference between the methods
shown here and the methods in the garages during a pro
weekend is an expensive rim clamp and a lot of experience.
This equates to less effort and less time for the pros.
Before deciding to do this job, weigh your time carefully.
Trackside tires are similar in price to mail order and come
with free mount and balance. The Dunlop garage team mounts
and balances a set of tires for me in 10 minutes, where it
takes me an hour a tire to do the entire job myself
(including remove, replace and wiring). When I do my own
tires because of timing (having my race bike ready to go
when I hit the track means I can arrive later and I won't
miss practice).
Tool List
- Valve tool to
remove core. Usually has a Schaeder rethreading tap and
die on the same tool. A set of tweezers may do in a pinch.
- Tire irons. At
least two. A wedge is helpful to free up an iron
sometimes. These irons need not be large. You'd rather
take smaller "bites" at the tire than break a rim.
- Rim
protectors. Strips of plastic cut from a detergent bottle
are my favorites.
- Air source.
You don't need a lot of pressure, but you need a lot of
CFM. Usually for a short time, but stubborn beads will
seat easier with a large tank behind you.
- Bead
lubricant. Laundry soap and water works for me.
- Bead breaker.
You can buy C-clamp style breakers for not a lot of money
($30-40). They don't look like they would work too well,
but I've never tried one. Theres a nifty portable breaker
that comes apart into two irons for $80-$90. I've seen
farm or bumper jack operated in reverse work. Then there's
the old standby of having your brother in law run over the
bead with his van. If you want to spend money, there's a
nice portable unit at Red racing parts.
I think it would be easy to copy if you can weld.
I
have a shop press that I was using to break beads with
wooden blocks. I finally got serious and bought a $3
plumbing nipple. I made two cuts with an oxy-torch, then
forged it into a 17-inch radiused spoon. Put a bead on the
bottom, ground and polished and it works like a charm.
- Balance stand
and wheel weights. This is the tool I think its wise to
invest your money in. A good balance stand operates on
roller bearings with large rolling surfaces and little
friction. People have balanced tires using the stock axles
on the bike. If you remove your grease seals and calipers,
you'll probably be able to get a really, really rough
balance. But the greased axle bearings aren't nearly as
good as a balance stand. With a $150 stand, you can detect
the difference in weight a piece of duct tape makes.
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