Replacing front tire on your own?

[Bones85]

I'm going to have to change my front tire soon (IRC Road Winner ).

Is this something that I could do on my own with the right tools? If so, which tools and front stand would you recommend to make the job easier? Should I buy rim protectors? Do I have to balance the tire before mounting it?

I like doing all the maintenance myself and don't want to pay someone else but I'm afraid this job might not be worth it because people have been saying it's difficult to change tires with hand tools.

Thanks.

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by Bones85

I'm going to have to change my front tire soon (IRC Road Winner ).

Is this something that I could do on my own with the right tools? If so, which tools and front stand would you recommend to make the job easier? Should I buy rim protectors? Do I have to balance the tire before mounting it?

I like doing all the maintenance myself and don't want to pay someone else but I'm afraid this job might not be worth it because people have been saying it's difficult to change tires with hand tools.

Thanks.

If I'm installing bias ply tires again, I'm taking it to a shop. Bias ply tires just do not have as much give as radials. If you have bead breaker, rim protectors and tire irons. YouTube is your best friend. Balancing is done after the tire is mounted.

[menikmati]

The only work that I will not do is mount/balance tires. I don't own the tools nor do I have the patience/effort required to do it properly, so I just pay a shop $20/tire and 5 minutes of my time.

Tools needed would be rim protectors, tire irons, 2x4's (to support the tire so the rim doesn't rub on the ground), bead breaker (you can improvise on this one), and a tire balancer and wheel weights.

[Bones85]

Originally Posted by menikmati

The only work that I will not do is mount/balance tires. I don't own the tools nor do I have the patience/effort required to do it properly, so I just pay a shop $20/tire and 5 minutes of my time.

Tools needed would be rim protectors, tire irons, 2x4's (to support the tire so the rim doesn't rub on the ground), bead breaker (you can improvise on this one), and a tire balancer and wheel weights.

http://www.amazon.com/AGS-RG18-Gal-R...words=ru-glyde

http://www.amazon.com/Supply-Nylon-R.../dp/B002LTOZTA

http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-...e+core+remover

http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-...ords=tire+iron

I don't want to spend $70 on a front stand. Can I just use a floor jack and jack stands to prop the front up? Also, can I use a C-clamp or something else instead of buying a bead breaker?

[menikmati]

Originally Posted by Bones85

I don't want to spend $70 on a front stand. Can I just use a floor jack and jack stands to prop the front up? Also, can I use a C-clamp or something else instead of buying a bead breaker?

You can use a mixture of soapy water in a spray bottle for lubricant.

Yes to the floor jack and C-clamp. I've seen other creative ways to break beads such as running over the edge of the tire with a car or using pieces of wood underneath a car.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by Bones85

I'm going to have to change my front tire soon (IRC Road Winner ).

Is this something that I could do on my own with the right tools?
Yes

If so, which tools and front stand would you recommend to make the job easier?
http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/Ca...434_0006382737

Should I buy rim protectors?
Cut pieces from a water or milk jug.

Do I have to balance the tire before mounting it?
No, you should balance the naked wheel, find the heavier spot and then locate the tire on the rim matching that spot with the dot on the side of the tire.

Just follow these DIYs':

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10296

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Mountin...tires_yourself

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Tire_Mo...Hints_%26_Tips

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_can...s_by_myself%3F

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Reinsta...he_front_wheel

[Bones85]

The FAQ says not to use dish soap.

Tire lube isn't strictly necessary, but most people find it does make the task easier. So, if you're going that route, buy some purpose-made tire lube. Don't try to make do with something, and do not use dish soap and water, as that stuff can and will eat at the tire. It is possible to get nasty-looking tires with gooey, melty rubber from dish soap. It's designed to attack grease and oil, and tires are a petroleum product.

Also, where would it be safe to put the floor jack? Under the headers?

Cut pieces from a water or milk jug.

Are you sure this is safe to do and better than using rim protectors?

[cuong-nutz]

Originally Posted by Bones85

The FAQ says not to use dish soap.



Also, where would it be safe to put the floor jack? Under the headers?



Are you sure this is safe to do and better than using rim protectors?

Soap is fine. Dilute it out some. It's not going to disintegrate your tire.

You can use a jack under the motor. Just make sure your rear is supported. You could also flip your foot pegs and support your bike with a jack stands and the floor jack under the motor.

I use the plastic milk jugs cut up as Tim protectors. Works fine and is cheap.

[Bones85]

Alright so far we have:

1) Valve core remover

2) Tire irons

3) Dish soap + water instead of buying tire lube

4) Cut up milk jugs instead of buying rim protectors

5) C-clamp instead of buying bead breaker

6) Rear stand + floor jack + jack stands to prop the bike up like http://www.dm.net/~bahwolf/co2004/front-off.jpg

Am I missing anything?

[Bones85]

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