changing tires Harley Wheels & Harley Tire Issues Discuss changing tires in the Harley Tech & Harley How-to forums; Has there been any articles explaining how to change tires in any issues in the past few years? Does anyone still change their own tires or are most having it ...

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Has there been any articles explaining how to change tires in any issues in the past few years? Does anyone still change their own tires or are most having it done at the shop?

Posted by: likinit on Jun 5, 06 8:53:39 pm

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Most probably have it done at a shop.

Posted by: Majicbringer on Jun 5, 06 10:45:24 pm

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Since you are showing an interest---- It's easy to do and you're not tied to shop hours or convenience...
I always change my own tires, although I detest doing my spoke(tubed tire) wheels... Tubeless, are heavenly, bodda bing bodda boom...
In the 70's I bought the "bead breaker", a couple tire irons and never looked back... After I change the tire and/or tube I do like to get it balanced however...
The "bead breaker" easily fits in your bags , I've seen it recently on p. 846 in the currnet Dennis Kirk Catalog...
I've seen another portable bead breaker, it's on p. 13-38 in the current Jireh Cycles catalog looks even easier to use,, I might get one some day... Learn to these things man........

Posted by: frisco-rigid on Jun 6, 06 12:23:50 am

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You know I shoulda added this,, It's really only practical if you buy your tires yourself...
For instance, my last Metzler 880's cost waaay less than my favorite shop, probably 30%... If you pay the HigH shop price for the tire, well, then you might as well let them do the work too cuz it's usually included in the price... BUT,,, they don't lower the price if you just buy it and go,, dig it...
And ya gotta know which end of a wrench to hold and have at least the most basic bike lift,,, the lever type... Capice

Posted by: frisco-rigid on Jun 6, 06 12:38:59 am

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I was thinking I could break the bead with my bench vice, what do you think frisco?

Posted by: likinit on Jun 6, 06 8:36:18 am

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Yeah, that'll work but really slow and cumbersome I would think...

The first "bead breaker" I mentioned operates in kinda sorta the same way but very lite, portable and manuverable...
Do you have good "made for the job" tire irons,, makes the job much easier... Part no.s 97-6 97-7, p.13-38 Jireh Cycles cat, 7 bucks apiece,,, I like using three, it's just easier...
I dig it,, another guy that wants to do it to it and take charge of his own machine,,, good man...
Anything else ??,, don't hesitate, just knock...Yeah baby

Posted by: frisco-rigid on Jun 6, 06 12:34:55 pm