Mounting own tires

[frisco-rigid]

Ooh yeah----the dot..

Over 30 years I have mounted my own tires but about half the tires I have encountered have NO dot at all..
Even Manuf's that state that they place a dot on their tires have NO dot half the time..

I went out to look at several tires I have, some New Never mounted and some used..
One Brand new Avon has the dot--- one Brand new Avon has NO dot..
One worn out used tire still has a visible dot illustrating that they don't just disappear with use and two other worn tires have NO dot..

Ken, you simply may Not have ever gotten a "dotted" tire.. Could happen..
But,,,I guess some folk think that if you know a little you should know Everything basic, Geee, I'm sooo glad it's all sweetly worked out now..

I have always mounted Dot @ Valve stem hole but still 90% of the time mine still need to be balanced.. That's just my experience maybe Not everyones..

Back in time I never cared about balancing cuz I would switch tires onto diff wheels at the drop of a shot-glass and actually don't remember if I ever gave a rats Poop-Shoot if it made a diff in the ride..
Now I take to my buds shops to balance just cuz..

About the balance stand,,, Ooh jeeeze--- I built one that I could level perfectly on my iron table, I used lightly lubed wheel Timkens in the wheel and also to support the axel.. Very Free turning..
After 3 freakin hours I got what I thought was pretty dang close to Perfect sooo feeling all Chesty and Satisfied I took it to my buds shop to Confirm MY balance job-------Uh,,,, it was still about 3/4 ounce off..
The rest of you may be able to use a balance stand but I guess it's just Not for me.. Uh Oh----maybe I shouldn'ta admitted that----..

[LJFed]

Well I finally got atround to doing it. I bought 2 new tires for $265 , and spent about $70 for tire irons, rim protectors and a 36mm socket. All I can say is it all went surprizing easy. I had them both off and back on in an afternoon. Put about 150 miles on them yesterday and no problems. The only glitch was I saw a bead breaker built out off 2x4s on the net. Well I could not get it to break the bead for anything so I used a couple of C-clamps.Also I could not find anyone to balance them.I used the dot system when I mounted them . Anyway I thought I would try them out and see how they rode and if there was a problem take them to the HD dealer , about an hours drive, and have them balance them. Anyway after 150 miles with speeds up to 75mph, I could not detect any wooble or balance problems. I think I will order a balance machine though. I saw one for around $100 somewhere. So thanks to everyone for their input, it is a good feeling doing it yourself.

[Gas Man]

Here's the 2x4 meathod of bead breaking
Inexpensive Tire Bead Breaker

And if you don't want to do that. Consider removing the wheels from the bike and letting the dealership do the swap. You save $$ on removing the wheels yourself.

Now if you want a WAY WAY better balance of your tires and for huge cheaper!! Consider Dyna Beads. I have been using these in my bikes, and most of my riding buds and hundreds of big dog owners. These things ROCK!!!

Dyna Beads and How To install them

So you order the complete kit for your bike (most hd's 2oz & 2oz with the bottle). Also order a back up set of just beads for that oops tire replacement.

Then when you or the dealership is getting ready to air up and seal the tire bead... just pour them into the tire. Can completely skip the valve stem pour install.

I can not tell you enough how much these beads ROCK. Think about it. Your tire is constantly changing with bumps and milage. But these beads balance the tire perfect every second they are rolling.

I have had guys with highway speed wobbles that were caused by bad tire balance. Put these in and smooth as silk

[texaswiz]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

Here's the 2x4 meathod of bead breaking
Inexpensive Tire Bead Breaker

And if you don't want to do that. Consider removing the wheels from the bike and letting the dealership do the swap. You save $$ on removing the wheels yourself.

Now if you want a WAY WAY better balance of your tires and for huge cheaper!! Consider Dyna Beads. I have been using these in my bikes, and most of my riding buds and hundreds of big dog owners. These things ROCK!!!

Dyna Beads and How To install them

So you order the complete kit for your bike (most hd's 2oz & 2oz with the bottle). Also order a back up set of just beads for that oops tire replacement.

Then when you or the dealership is getting ready to air up and seal the tire bead... just pour them into the tire. Can completely skip the valve stem pour install.

I can not tell you enough how much these beads ROCK. Think about it. Your tire is constantly changing with bumps and milage. But these beads balance the tire perfect every second they are rolling.

I have had guys with highway speed wobbles that were caused by bad tire balance. Put these in and smooth as silk

I will have to echo that about putting the beads in the tires for balance. Lots of us old timers use spoons to remove and install new tires. After installation there was always the problem of getting them balanced. Several years ago I tried the beads in my new tires. I removed the old stick on weights on the cast wheels after mounting the new tires, then took it down the road to see what I could feel. I could feel it alright, it acted like a jack hammer at 50 mph. Then I rode home and put 1 ounce of dyna beads in the front and 2 ounces in the rear. I took it out on the road once this was done, and what do you know. I have never ridden a smoother motorcycle in 45 years. They work and they work well. The nice thing about beads is that as your tire wears and you loose rubber, the beads dynamically balance the tires and wheels everytime you take off. So, if you have been sitting on the fence about using the beads or maybe you have a hard time getting your arms around a new concept, rest assured they work. Cost was $6.00 for two 2 oz. bags. Anybody who can type on a computer can do this. I don't sell them but you can find them all over the internet.

[Gas Man]

wiz... you are so right. They are great and even if you pay more than your price being that they are easier, cheaper, and better than standard balancing.

[Bigincher]

The more I read this thread, the more I am convinced that he who does his own tire mount and balancing-- using barnyard engineering and sledgehammer techniques-- is probably the same person that will act his own attorney in a court of law.
I gladly pay a guy that has the *right equipment* 25 bucks to demount, mount, and spin balance my new tires, and I stand right there and watch him. But Hell, what do I know---- when I'm cruising at 85mph, my tires are my life. But PLEASE---- don't think about that if you do your own tires.

[Gas Man]

I usually pay to have mine mounted but just use the beads for the balancing

[Bigincher]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

I usually pay to have mine mounted but just use the beads for the balancing

I'm withholding an opinion on the beads. First impression is just another gimmick, like the so-called 'slime' from a few years back. I can understand the theory behind the beads, but in my mind, it's hard to beat a static balance or better yet a spin balance. But that's just me, nome sain?

[Gas Man]

Well its about $20 to get the kit and do them thru the valve stem. Do that and pull the weights. It works great and you will notice on the highway for sure how much smoother the bike will be.

[HarleyCruiser]

Originally Posted by Bigincher

The more I read this thread, the more I am convinced that he who does his own tire mount and balancing-- using barnyard engineering and sledgehammer techniques-- is probably the same person that will act his own attorney in a court of law.
I gladly pay a guy that has the *right equipment* 25 bucks to demount, mount, and spin balance my new tires, and I stand right there and watch him. But Hell, what do I know---- when I'm cruising at 85mph, my tires are my life. But PLEASE---- don't think about that if you do your own tires.

Humm, not sure how to respond to that, but what can go wrong with mounting your own tires. Not exactly rocket science.
Yes I would never recommend someone doing it without someone experienced there, teaching you.
I am one hour from the nearest bike shop, by the time I take my bike, drop it off, go pick it up that is four hours of travel.
In that time I could have done it myself.
Everytime I have taken the tires somewhere they either mounted the front on the rear or mounted the tire running the wrong way.
At Harley last I checked they charged 200+ plus for a tire and to mount it that I can buy for 100.
Even if you just take in the rims/tires, I have never been able to get it done as cheap as you are talking about.
Not many shops will mount your tires, and if you buy their tires then the price is jacked up in the tires.
If you take the tires rims and mount them youself, then you are doing all the stuff the can cause the problems.
IE; Alignment, brakes, chain/belt tension all the fasteners that can fall off.
When I do it myself I also give everything a good polish, make sure everything is right.
I have never had a problem.
To me it just makes good since.
I like Gas's saying why pay someone else to mess up your bike.
About balancing, I always put my tire on the front end, take the brake pads off and just spin the wheel.
See where she lands.
I have never had a problem, the tires today are pretty close, very seldom need weighs.
And I have never had a vibration from them.