Quality tools to change the tires

[Lou]

Anybody know of a good site to buy some Tire Irons, Bead Breakers, Rim Protectors, Chain Adjuster and Rear wheel adjuster??? Planning on installing some Sport Demons when they get here so i want to gather some tools up. So far ive looked up Motion Pro and they have some of the things ill need but im not sure with the site. Any input would be apreciated

[CThunder-blue]

I bought tire irons off ebay, bead breaker from harbor freight, rim protectors from cycle gear, and chain adjustment isn't necessary as much as wheel alignment, which you just need 14 & 12mm wrenches for.

[Lou]

Hows that bead breaker work for you any probs? As for wheel alignment do you just eyeball it when your tightening it up?

[CThunder-blue]

Bead breaker was fine once I removed the wheel keeper and just held the wheel down. For wheel alignment, I just count the threads, but there's also this DIY. Just make sure you read further down regarding Alex's string method.

I also purchased the wheel balancer from HF. You could probably take it to a shop to have them balance it though.

[greatwhiteninja]

i used 2 large screwdriver's and some rags and actually changed my rear tire on mine..lol! would i do it again? no..haha!

[Lou]

LOL why wouldnt you do it again greatwhite to much of a pain? I just dont want to fork over 75 dollars per tire to the only moto shop in the county! Thnx thunder, hows the wheel balancer?

[greatwhiteninja]

Breaking the bead was a PITA!! putting the new one on easy though . I just did it cause the local cycle gear wouldn't mount it since it was 2 sizes up from stock .. 150.

[Lou]

I got stock sizes for that same reason plus may or maynot be easier install than a bigger size. BTW what front and rear stands do you have? Need to buy too.

[greatwhiteninja]

i have a pitbull stand.

[HKr1]

That one HF bead breaker works real nice:
http://www.harborfreight.com/bead-breaker-92961.html

Put a piece of wood down to protect the rim, and wrap the arm with High voltage electrical tape to protect the rim up top.

Finally broke down and got the No-Mar Jr-Pro, makes tire changes really easy now

[CThunder-blue]

Originally Posted by Lou

LOL why wouldnt you do it again greatwhite to much of a pain? I just dont want to fork over 75 dollars per tire to the only moto shop in the county! Thnx thunder, hows the wheel balancer?

The wheel balancer works great, but man it took a long time to get it balanced right.

[Lou]

Im definitely thinking about the wheel balancer.... That No-Mar Jr-Pro is one sweet looking machine man but its EXPENSIVE Anybody have any luck with those 10" spoon tire irons from Motorcyclesuperstore? or Cycle Gear i believe there the same ones.

[headshrink]

I use the HF bead-breaker, HF balancer, some spoons, plastic shields for the rims, tools for replacing the valve, and for alighnment I made one of these: http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_do_...l_alignment%3F

My future plans include a No-Mar bar, and possibly a nice stand. I purchased the HF tire changing stand JUST as they discontinued it, but missed my chance at the motorcycle tire adapter.... is it is pretty much useless now.

[Lou]

Well this is what i have in my shopping basket from several sites as of now...

Harbor Freight- Moto wheel balancing stand /Moto bead breaker

Motion Pro- 2 10" tire iron Spoontypes /1 Tire iron Curve 16" / 2 Sets of Rim protectors /1 Valve core remover /Wheel Weights steel black 1/4set

Fay MyersMotorcycleworld- 1 Camel tire mounting Stuf 8lb tub (smallest i could find)

Trex- Front and Rear Stands (triple tree & spooled)

ITS A TON OF THINGS thats gona cost a small fortune but i want to be able to do this myself. What do you guys think? am i missing something???

[algerath]

On my old bike I used a big c-clamp to break the bead, 2 10" spoons to change the tire, and two jack stands and the axle to balance. I bought the spoons from mc superstore, a pack of stick on weights, and I bought a gallon of ruglide from napa. I cut the side out of some old rubber hose for rim protectors.

When I do it again the only thing I plan to add is a better way to break the bead. After I got that done it was smooth sailing. there are a bunch of videos on YouTube on changing and balancing tires, I found watching someone do it first to be helpful

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by Lou

Well this is what i have in my shopping basket from several sites as of now...

Harbor Freight- Moto wheel balancing stand /Moto bead breaker

Motion Pro- 2 10" tire iron Spoontypes /1 Tire iron Curve 16" / 2 Sets of Rim protectors /1 Valve core remover /Wheel Weights steel black 1/4set

Fay MyersMotorcycleworld- 1 Camel tire mounting Stuf 8lb tub (smallest i could find)

Trex- Front and Rear Stands (triple tree & spooled)

ITS A TON OF THINGS thats gona cost a small fortune but i want to be able to do this myself. What do you guys think? am i missing something???

Ebay - Valve puller (to install new valve) Do NOT get the cheapos with the cable on it.
Grocery Store - Plastic jug of orange juice (most common source of DIY rim protectors)

[Skippii]

I use a 2X4 to break beads. Not just because it cost $2, but also because it works perfectly in 30 seconds with no hassle. I can recommend lots of bead breakers that are more expensive, but don't know of any that are better.

As for tire irons, I a couple from HF and some from Motion Pro. There one from HF is 24" long and works amazingly--lots of leverage. I also have a 18" curved one, I think MP, which is very useful. The 12" ones from MP just aren't long enough.

[headshrink]

Since you are spending a butt-load of $$, you may just consider this piece of awesomeness. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Motor...item53e46724cb

With this, all you would need is the lube, and valve tools.

[Lou]

All great advice guys thanks much apreciated. I think i will use some rubber hoses as the rim protectors and search my local napa for some tire mount lube (never heard of orange juice jugs as rim protectors but im a noob so what do i know lol). As for the spoons im gona look into getting those longer ones, there not cheapy or bend easily do they? Im guessing you just pound that 2X4 with a hammer, if it works and saves me money im all in. That is a nice tire changer... but if i was going that route id save for the No Mar

[Lou]

Wanted to update abit on the some tools that have work well and not so well. Remember im not a pro, i still consider my self a newb So far i have done (with help) 2 sets of tire, changed the tires on my sisters pregen and my new gen.

Tools that work great for me!
- 2 Tire iron Curve 16" (motion pro/ motocentric look identical)
- 2 Tire iron 24" (Harbor Freight)
- Motorycycle Wheel balancer (Harbor Freight)
- Tropicana Orange Juice bottle, cut into four pieces (Rim protectors)
- Valve core remover (motion pro)
- Rim weights black (motion pro)
- Napa brand Tire mount lube (blue) / Walmart Spray bottle
- High temp bearing grease (maxima)
- T rex stands (triple tree and spooled)
- 4 2x4s in a pair (2-2X4s stacked on top of each other same for other side)
- Nitrate gloves
- Shop towels (blue ones at walmart)
- Extra pair of hands!!!!

Tools that DID NOT WORK
- 1 10" tire iron Spoontype (motion pro) To small not enough leverage
- Rubber hose as rim protector Dint slide well, hard to remove

- DID NOT NEED BEAD BREAKER AT ALL-
instead of trying to break the bead forcefully in one spot, i continued prying the tire downward away from rim with the curved tire iron all around the tire took maybe 45sec and the tire popped off the bead itself!

Hope this helps!

[exploring/carolina]

When I had a Harbor Freight changer, purchased a set of No Mar Spools for less than $15 to clamp the wheel with in the modified HF changer.

[Lou]

Nice heard tons of great things from No Mar , howd much that changer cost ya if you dont mind?

[exploring/carolina]

Originally Posted by Lou

Nice heard tons of great things from No Mar , howd much that changer cost ya if you dont mind?

Don't remember the exact price from Harbor Freight, but think I paid around $75 for the Harbor Freight Changer.

Using a Cycle Hill Changer made by No Mar now, bought it on sale when it first came out for $350 delivered. Will be changing/balancing a set of tires on a Vstrom tomorrow.

[Havok]

Best tool i have found is my ATM card and a good relationship with a dealership. around 35 per tire to have them remove and install my tires. Just had the 250 done today, put a new 150 on the back total cost 33 bucks. Sooooo worth it.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Havok

Best tool i have found is my ATM card and a good relationship with a dealership. around 35 per tire to have them remove and install my tires. Just had the 250 done today, put a new 150 on the back total cost 33 bucks. Sooooo worth it.

That's way too much if you commute exclusively on your bike and need tires often (about twice a year).

[Lou]

35 bucks isnt bad compared to the 75 per tire they want to charge here My sister and myself go through prob 2 pairs per year so it ads up fast! Plus nothing beats the feeling of knowing you did all that work to your baby

Probably going to invest in one of those tire changers they make it look easy...

[Lou]

Id give it a shot for $20 lol. Further up ct thunder says he used the this exact bead breaker sounds like it worked good for him, but im seriouse when i say you can do it without it just takes alittle longer. Ill tell ya one thing, dont go skimpy on the tire mount lube. I was shy on the lube the first time and it was much harder, this last time used it like it was free and things just slipped in real nice.

[HKr1]

Originally Posted by Lou

35 bucks isnt bad compared to the 75 per tire they want to charge here ...

I really dont understand dealers around here either. If you dont buy the tire from them, they wont install it for you.. WTF, its all labor.. easy money. And you might come back and buy other parts from them.. Instead I put them on the black-ball list!!! Loose a customer
The couple places that will install, 40 each, 45 on the bike. Another WTF, I bring you the rim and tire it should be real cheap.

I did a few $80 a month for TD tires, then they put 3 clamp marks on each of my Marchesini's. I said screw it and bought the No-Mar bar........ That was still taking two people to mount the tire(no tire irons), so we went with the full on NoMar. Already paid for it self..... and done some free mounts for friends

Good to hear you got it all worked out thou. I never tried breaking a bead with a tire iron.... I know giant c-clamp doesnt work.

[g21-30]

Originally Posted by Phil7153

Comment/thoughts about this bead breaker? For $20, its almost worth trying out even if its crap.

http://www.harborfreight.com/motorcy...ker-98875.html

I have this one and it works very well:

http://www.harborfreight.com/bead-breaker-92961.html

[headshrink]

Originally Posted by g21-30

I have this one and it works very well:

http://www.harborfreight.com/bead-breaker-92961.html

Me too. But honestly, I question if it is worth giving up the floor-space. If you don't mind that, then it is a very capable tool.

[CZroe]

I used the HF bead breaker. It works.

[g21-30]

Originally Posted by headshrink

Me too. But honestly, I question if it is worth giving up the floor-space. If you don't mind that, then it is a very capable tool.

I store mine when not in use (every 2 1/2 yrs!)

[TheTopher]

When I did mine I used a pair of motion pro tire irons that I ordered from Motorcycle-superstore.com and did the same for the rim protectors, I also ordered their tire alignment gauge but found that measuring from the swingarm pivot bolt to the rear axle bolt with a tape measurer was more accurate.

As far as a bead breaker, I just used a couple quick clamps.



The bucket fits perfectly to hold the rim up without damaging the brake rotor or sprocket, just make sure you apply equal force to the opposite end when you're putting pressure on one side of the rim to get the tire on/off and you'll be fine. Don't worry about bucket strength, at one point I was actually kneeling on the rim and it held me up fine. Don't forget about tire lube, and lots of it. I went with Ru-Glyde and it worked great.


If you do go the clamp route, don't just put it on the tire, hook one end against the rim and the other against the tire, you won't get enough of a pull if you just put it across the tire.


For balancing, you don't need to buy an aftermarket tire balancer. Just get a pair of cheap jack stands, run the axle through the wheel once the new tire is on it and then rest the axle on the jack stands. The wheel will spin just as freely as it would on an expensive tire balancer thanks to this wonderful invention called a wheel bearing.


Just let the tire settle and throw a 1/4th oz weight at the top of the rim since that'll be the lighter point. Give it a 90 degree turn and let go, see where it falls this time, and repeat the process until it stops moving when you let go.


A lot of people recommend using hot glue around the wheel weights or putting duct tape over them. All I did was use some goof-off to clean excess gunk off the wheel before putting the weight on, and the centrifugal force of the wheel spinning pushes the weight against the rim every time I ride. No problems with it yet and I don't think I'm going to have any either.

All told I spent $62 on materials to install the tire and the local dealership wanted $60 to install it.

[headshrink]

Great idea with the bucket and clamps.

[RaceBikeRentals]

I broke down and bought a No-Mar Jr Pro last year and have changed around 20 tires on it. Its already nearly paid for itself and I actually enjoy changing tires now

[Alex]

[gfloyd2002]

Don't forget a tire balancer once you've got the new tires mounted. I just got a portable one that works great for about $40. Wheel Balancer.

[CZroe]

Cycle Gear balances them for free on their computerized balancer. Even if you don't have one around, @kkim suggested balancing them on the bike, so I really don't see any reason to buy a balancer.

[TheTopher]

Originally Posted by CZroe

Cycle Gear balances them for free on their computerized balancer. Even if you don't have one around, @kkim suggested balancing them on the bike, so I really don't see any reason to buy a balancer.

That's what I'd have done if I didn't already have a collection of jackstands.

When balancing it on the bike do you have to take the wheel back off after balancing to put the chain on the sprocket or are you able to slip it on as is?

[exploring/carolina]

After tire installation, balance tires off the bike. Use a Marc Parnes static balancer. Have had weights to come off during riding that made me wonder about balancing on the bike. Reason the weights came off, I did not locate the weights in the best place on the wheel. Careful about weight location now.

Have not had any other issues after balancing.

Marc Parnes balancer on cheap jack stands:



Also use the balancer to spin a wheel while checking run-out to see if the wheel is bent: