How many of you guys change your own tires? Subscribe to this blog RSS Feed
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    1 of 14
    Yermo
    5 years ago
    A Facebook friend I've not met in person before will be arriving tomorrow after having just picked up a 1988 BMW K100RS. He said it needs tires so I offered to help him change them while he's here. 

    So I'm doing a little research. It looks like the sizes are:

    100/90-18
    130/90-17

    After a little research, it seems that these Avon RoadRiders are the preferred tire. 

    Link #63453
    Yermo
    5 years ago

    Avon Roadrider AM26 Tires | 23% ($29.28) Off! - RevZilla

    SAVE $29.28 (23%) TODAY. The Avon Road Rider AM26 is ideal for everyday use on mid-range bikes and is the choice performance tire for many vintage and

    https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle...
    Unfortunately, the front tire is unavailable from Revzilla right now.

    It may be a case of just getting what's available. I know nothing about these tires beyond reputation, but at least the sizes are available from Revzilla:

    Link #63454
    Yermo
    5 years ago

    Continental Ultra TKV11 / TKV12 Sport Classic Tires | 8% ($9.84) Off! - RevZilla

    SAVE $9.84 (8%) TODAY. The Conti Ultra Sport Classic Tires blend a timeless style with modern technology for a truly advanced tire for older machines.

    https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle...
    2 of 14
    Yermo
    5 years ago
    Sadly, my suspicion is that figuring out the best tires to get and obtaining them in such a short time frame is unlikely. 
    3 of 14
    I can do it, have done it. I generally just take it to the shop to have the tire changed as they do it better, with no scratches on the rim, and the wheel gets balanced on equipment I can't afford. Some riders may have the space for tire mounting equipment and such, a collection of wheel weights, valve stems, tubes, rim tapes, etc. I understand that mindset, to be independent of outside help. Me, I'd rather be riding than spending time working on the bike(s). I can do it, I'd rather not.  
    4 of 14
    racer162
    5 years ago
    I generally change my own tires on my DUC and the NSR the only time I have the shop do it is when they are having an exceptional sale on rubber.
    IT can be a pain but a little heat and ten some soapy water and patience and you will be fine,
    5 of 14
    Widget
    5 years ago
    I always change my own tires.  It was something I learned as a kid, and there are a few cheats that make it pretty fast and easy.  It’s just a useful skill to have.

    A really big C-clamp and a small, flat piece of wood will break the beads really easily.  Always start seating the new tire opposite the valve stem, and force the tire into the center well as you work, and use a lubricant.  Same for removing the old tire - start opposite of the valve stem.

    A squirt of dish soap in a spray bottle of water works great for this, and doesn’t damage the rubber. 
    6 of 14
    Widget
    5 years ago
    You can also run a 110/90 on the front.  I can’t recommend Bridgestones - they stick OK but the mileage is terrible, and I’ve had dangerously uneven wear on every single one so far.  No more for me.
    7 of 14
    caveman
    5 years ago
    I do my own tire changes with a no-mar changer that I would recommend to anyone. Balancing is done with a static rig and seems fine for me.
    Avon M26 is my favorite tire for the my k75/100 bikes but have had good luck with Shinko 230 Tour Master tires as well
    8 of 14
    cepal
    5 years ago
    I have the Avons, second set. in UK. They can be found very cheap and also very expensive (BT45 area of price)... Do I need to say I love them? They are great, and maybe BT45 are dual compound at rear, but that only makes them more slipper upright on motorway crossing crap, but they don't wear less then these cheap Avons!

    I don't change them myself though. I was changing my bicycle tyres, but motorbike needs balancing eh? I can't balance it. Perhaps bring it to the garage just for the balancing, after I'd changed the tyres? Any tips on this from people who do this? I just had recently new rear (the front will last for two rears, as I do tons of motorway miles which are eating only the rear one). Suppose I should check youtube videos for the home tyre change ;-).
    9 of 14
    Yermo
    5 years ago
    I have a no-mar tire changer which I bolt to the floor. Before buying it, I had a buddy who had one and he took me through the process. It's actually faster and cheaper for me to do them myself than to schedule a time to drop the bike off and have it done. Over a couple of years, and the fact that I've done tires on my three bikes and countless friends bikes, it's paid for itself a few times over.

    Yermo
    12 years ago
    Blog Article (11792)

    On Wrenching: Changing Tires Yourself using the No-Mar Cycle Hill Motorcycle Tire Changer

    Like most people will tell you, I live in kind of an abstract world. I don't like, as a general rule, to be troubled with the details of the phyical world around me instead much preferring the space in my head where I am free to contemplate the intracies of my navel. There are, however, a few things that will bring me out of the abstract and back down to reality. Tires, for instance. Tires are important. To many, tires are religion and there are countless holy wars fought over the subject ...Read More

    10 of 14
    martinbrown2392
    4 years ago
    any suggestion for me i have a trailer which we use for motorcycle towing service and also a ford truck which is currently being used as a 24 Hour NYC Towing Services.
    11 of 14
    Yermo
    4 years ago
    Sadly, I don't have any experience with "professional grade" equipment. The No-Mar changer I use is intended for the casual home user but it can be attached to a truck bumper or mounted on a trailer easily enough but it's a manual machine. Depending on how stiff the tires are you're trying to change it can be a time consuming bear.  It is MUCH better than tire irons. 

    I suspect they can be had used for much less than what's listed on Amazon.

    https://www.amazon.com/NO-MAR-CYCLE-HILL-MOTORCYCLE-CHA...
    12 of 14
    thomaspanton
    4 years ago
    I don't change my tire yet but looking to change it next month.
    13 of 14
    Yermo
    4 years ago
    It's usually not too hard as long as you have the right tools.
    14 of 14
    thomaspanton
    4 years ago
    You are absolutely right, I agree with you.