DIY tyre changing

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Discussion

Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,258 posts

186 months

Sunday 19th July 2015
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Does anyone have any tips for the best tools to do a diy tyre change? Me and a mate are thinking about going half's on a Sealey TC965 machine. Any good? Or what else is out there?


SystemParanoia

14,343 posts

197 months

Sunday 19th July 2015
quotequote all
lots of vids on youtube.

just use heavy duty zip ties

defblade

7,395 posts

212 months

Sunday 19th July 2015
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Washing up liquid = lube
Pieces of hose pipe, slit down the long side = rim protectors
Spade = bead breaker (other options available if you're light of foot, few need cost anything)
Proper big tyre levers = proper big tyre levers. Actually pay for these. They're cheap. Get 3 to make life easy.
Wheel balancer = rod-on-bearings that sits on the paddock stand you've already got, mine was about £20, or M&P do a complete one cheapish.
Some wheel weights.

Use a car spare wheel (with tyre) to work on - this keeps the stuff in the middle of your bike wheel (discs, sprocket) off the ground.
I had about a 50/50 success rate with using my 12v tyre pump compressor to get the tyre seated on the bead; otherwise the machine at the local petrol station always managed. Never tried the zip-tie method, but looks promising.
Make triple sure you're getting the tyre on the right way around... you will NOT want to do it all again!!


In my view, the effort/hassle of doing the fitting myself is really only justified as it's a PITA getting the wheel down to a garage during working hours to have someone else do it. If it was just the money saving, I'd probably not bother. Often back on the road within 2 or 3 days with tyre ordered from t'net rather than hanging around for a week or so until I can get to a garage.

Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,258 posts

186 months

Sunday 19th July 2015
quotequote all
Hmm, never seen the cable tie meathod before, it doesn't look too difficult. Cheers for the other tips too.

For balancing has anyone used those beads you put in the tyre?

Wedg1e

26,760 posts

264 months

Sunday 19th July 2015
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defblade said:
Washing up liquid = lube
You do know that washing-up liquid often/usually contains salts that corrode aluminium...?

scorcher

3,982 posts

233 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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Wedg1e said:
You do know that washing-up liquid often/usually contains salts that corrode aluminium...?
not sure its even possible but wouldn't it act as lube again if the wet managed to get into it whilst riding?

Rubin215

3,985 posts

155 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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My local tyre place is £10 to fit and balance to a loose wheel.

£10 as opposed to half an hour of wrestling with levers, skinning my knuckles, chipping my rim...

hehe

Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,258 posts

186 months

Monday 20th July 2015
quotequote all
Rubin215 said:
My local tyre place is £10 to fit and balance to a loose wheel.

£10 as opposed to half an hour of wrestling with levers, skinning my knuckles, chipping my rim...

hehe
Yip, that's great. I'd do that too but there are no bike shops near me who will do it for that money as they didn't sell me the tyre and the garage who usually do mine have damaged my wheels more than once.

LoonR1

26,988 posts

176 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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Tasmin200 said:
Yip, that's great. I'd do that too but there are no bike shops near me who will do it for that money as they didn't sell me the tyre and the garage who usually do mine have damaged my wheels more than once.
Well if they're damaging your wheels, I'd highly recommend going at it with a spade, a plank of wood, some fairy liquid and cable ties. That'll work out much better.

defblade

7,395 posts

212 months

Monday 20th July 2015
quotequote all
scorcher said:
Wedg1e said:
You do know that washing-up liquid often/usually contains salts that corrode aluminium...?
not sure its even possible but wouldn't it act as lube again if the wet managed to get into it whilst riding?
:shrug:
I've had no trouble on either count over several years - about 8,000 miles a year, so a good number of tyres have been used wink

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

211 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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scorcher said:
not sure its even possible but wouldn't it act as lube again if the wet managed to get into it whilst riding?
Possibly, but you'll have nice and soft hands.

gsxr renegade

126 posts

114 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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I do my own tyres as i don't have my own car so can't always cart my loose wheels around. I mainly do it myself so that i can have the convenience of changing them whenever i want but i also don't have any bike shops local to me that'll fit for a decent price. I think last time i checked, the closest place wanted £25 per wheel ride-in, ride-out which soon mounts up.

I got one of these bead breakers(although not needed, it makes breaking the bead absolutely effortless);

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanics-Workshop-Garag...

A couple of tyre levers, some rim protectors and tyre soap.

Once you get the hang of the technique, it's really easy to do and i can have a tyre changed in less than half an hour now.

I'm not sure if i'm allowed to link to other forums, but i wrote a little guide over on the pbmagforum under the workshop tutorials section on how i change my tyres.

Harry H

3,379 posts

155 months

Monday 20th July 2015
quotequote all
Rubin215 said:
My local tyre place is £10 to fit and balance to a loose wheel.

£10 as opposed to half an hour of wrestling with levers, skinning my knuckles, chipping my rim...

hehe
This.

Tried changing the tyres on the dirt bike once. Took all morning and felt like I'd done a few rounds with Mike Tyson afterwards. Luckily I've got an excellent tyre place just up the road. Just ain't worth the grief

graham22

3,293 posts

204 months

Monday 20th July 2015
quotequote all
defblade said:
scorcher said:
Wedg1e said:
You do know that washing-up liquid often/usually contains salts that corrode aluminium...?
not sure its even possible but wouldn't it act as lube again if the wet managed to get into it whilst riding?
:shrug:
I've had no trouble on either count over several years - about 8,000 miles a year, so a good number of tyres have been used wink
The rims on my XR400 were evidence of this after years of using washing up liquid, knowing damn well about the salt but the thought never crossing my mind.

I'll get flamed for this probably but now use watered down car wash (in a fairy bottle).

Whilst I change my off road tyres, I'd rather pay a fitter a tenner as he'll balance it & sometimes a road tyre will just not get onto a rim without an air line!!


eta - to break the bead, if the wheels are narrow enough, I use the Black & Decker workmate, just wind it closed onto the tyre.

Edited by graham22 on Monday 20th July 16:15

bass gt3

10,186 posts

232 months

Monday 20th July 2015
quotequote all
For 275quid I don't think you can argue really. If there's nowhere near that can change tyres this is a better option than faffing around with cable ties or tyre irons. Use tyre soap and it'll be a breeze.
WRT the balancing beads, they work well BUT be careful when you take the tyre off as they can go everywhere.

Prof Prolapse

16,160 posts

189 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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LoonR1 said:
Well if they're damaging your wheels, I'd highly recommend going at it with a spade, a plank of wood, some fairy liquid and cable ties. That'll work out much better.
You forgot a thin layer of cardboard to protect everything whilst you're swinging on it like a chimp.

I watched several self proclaimed experts earlier this morning on youtube and it really didn't fill me with confidence.

One for if you're really desperate I think.


Tasmin200

Original Poster:

1,258 posts

186 months

Monday 20th July 2015
quotequote all
bass gt3 said:
For 275quid I don't think you can argue really. If there's nowhere near that can change tyres this is a better option than faffing around with cable ties or tyre irons. Use tyre soap and it'll be a breeze.
WRT the balancing beads, they work well BUT be careful when you take the tyre off as they can go everywhere.
Thats what I was thinking. You can get that machine for £150, so £75 split with my mate.

I've changed tyres with levers etc before and fancied something to make it easier. With a cheap pair of tyres from Tyre Leader in Germany and that's it paid for.

The whole point of getting it is to be self sufficient and not have to entrust my wheels to a 18 year old on minimum wage who really doesn't give a monkeys about the paint on my wheels.

2blackhats

446 posts

200 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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Did it once a million years ago on a Norton Commando. All I remember was it needed two of us, big tyre levers and lots of swearing to accomplish the task.
Wasn't much fun as I recall....

cat with a hat

1,484 posts

117 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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Without proper equipment it isnt worth the ball ache.

Ive accepted that there are some things that are simply too much hassle to do yourself

CoolHands

18,496 posts

194 months

Monday 20th July 2015
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I looked into this and decided I'd get the full abba package. I have changed tyres before without proper tools and it was not something I enjoyed. £175:

http://abbastands.co.uk/product-detail.asp?item=ty...



One of the best things (from reading reviews) is that decent tyre irons they include with the package make a big difference



Worth looking at.