Changing your own tires

labjr55

deserttan said:
Thank you, Unless someone suggests something better I am going to try the plywood with carriage bolts. I have been told static balancing is more accurate than spin balancing it just takes longer.

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You could purchase the NoMar receiver hitch adapter.

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leaton

· #42 · 3 mo ago

Audi403 said:
I'm getting sick of paying shops to do this. I found this tool today, and I'm intrigued. Has anyone used this model?

Street Bike Tyre Changer

The Rabaconda Street Bike Tire Changer is designed for both cast and forged as well as for wire-spoked wheels, offering extra rim protection. It’s adaptable to wheel sizes between 12-21", has great ergonomics at low weight, and is perfect for both single and double-sided swingarms.

rabaconda.com

They have a short video showing how it works. I also found a video of a guy on YouTube who used a much more basic Rabaconda tool to do the tires on his R1200RT, this one looks to be much improved.

Otherwise, which tool are you using? Anyone doing it old school with tire spoons? I've also debated trying this...

No need for some expensive tool. I use a large bench vise to break the bead, but you could probably do it with a healthy size C clamp. You can get it off with large screwdrivers after that, but it's easier if you get some cheap tire spoons. after you mount it, use water with a small amount of dish soap on the bead to seat it when inflating, and not sure you could do this without a compressor. The sweet part though, is I live near a CycleGear. They will balance for FREE!

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painter

· #43 · 3 mo ago

Audi403 said:
I'm getting sick of paying shops to do this. I found this tool today, and I'm intrigued. Has anyone used this model?

Street Bike Tyre Changer

The Rabaconda Street Bike Tire Changer is designed for both cast and forged as well as for wire-spoked wheels, offering extra rim protection. It’s adaptable to wheel sizes between 12-21", has great ergonomics at low weight, and is perfect for both single and double-sided swingarms.

rabaconda.com

They have a short video showing how it works. I also found a video of a guy on YouTube who used a much more basic Rabaconda tool to do the tires on his R1200RT, this one looks to be much improved.

Otherwise, which tool are you using? Anyone doing it old school with tire spoons? I've also debated trying this...

You're overthinking this--you don't need a fancy-pants changer. I use spoons and a 2x4 to break the bead. One end of the 2x4 can be jammed under a car tire, or I bungee it to my truck hitch. A short 4-6 inch piece of 2x4 is strapped vertically to the middle of the long 2x4, and that's what will press down on the tire bead. The other end you grip with your hand as a lever, and you push that short section down on the bead to break it from the rim. Then you just use spoons to remove the tire. A product called "beadbuster" makes it easy to slide the tire off and on the rim. I use a balancer sold by Marc Parnes.

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rtwiz

· #44 · 3 mo ago

Audi403 said:
Yeah, bolted to the floor would be nice, but I don't have room in my garage to bolt anything down. I considered bolting one to the floor in my basement, but I like the portability of having it unbolted. I believe some of the No Mar units can attach to a truck hitch. I'm considering this as well, but leaning towards trying this Rabaconda. I've watched lots of videos and it seems to work very well. The only people I saw struggle were guys who weren't following the instructions properly.

A tire warmer would be awesome for changing tires. I can't commit to spending that much money though. Leaving it out in the sun isn't always an option here, I'd like to be able to change the tires in spring/fall as well. I have some space heaters and a heat gun. Setting the tire up in front of an oscillating space heater should do the trick!

You can bolt the tire changer to a 4X4 piece of plywood. Stand on the plywood while using it. Doesn't need to be bolted to the floor.

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Triac

· #45 · 3 mo ago

Mellow said:
Yup, I bought a no-mar tire changer several years back and have changed hundreds of tires. It takes some practice to get used to the technique but it pays for itself pretty quickly. Especially when you take off a tire that has 2k miles left on it and you have a 2k+ trip upcoming.. you can save that take-off and put it back on when you have some shorter rides coming up... I usually wait til that new tire is worn... yes, you may end up with several almost-worn tires but it works itself out.

View attachment 181694

The interesting part is how many friends you end up getting .... lol

View attachment 181693

Mellow, what is that stand supporting the bike?

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Mellow

· #46 · 3 mo ago

Triac said:
Mellow, what is that stand supporting the bike?

Abba Skylift

Sky Lift

The ultimate motorcycle lift. Raise your bike up higher than any other motorbike stand, simple and safe one person operation, lifting at 3 different angles..

abbastandsusa.com

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Audi403

Discussion Starter · #47 · 3 mo ago

Mellow said:
Abba Skylift

Sky Lift

The ultimate motorcycle lift. Raise your bike up higher than any other motorbike stand, simple and safe one person operation, lifting at 3 different angles..

abbastandsusa.com

I have a Sky Lift as well. Absolutely love it, one of my best motorcycle related purchases!

My Rabaconda tire changer shipped today. Wont need to change any tires for a few months, but excited to use it. I know I could have tried to do it manually, but this will make it much more efficient and keep me from kneeling on the floor.

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The_real_hati

· #48 · 3 mo ago

Audi403 said:
Wont need to change any tires for a few months, but excited to use it.

Been in that exact spot

Made my conversion, bolted to the floor and then waited and waited for the tyres to wear out

Problem is you learn how to use it, then forget it by the time you have to use it so need to relearn again.

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Mellow

· #49 · 3 mo ago

Audi403 said:
I have a Sky Lift as well. Absolutely love it, one of my best motorcycle related purchases!

My Rabaconda tire changer shipped today. Wont need to change any tires for a few months, but excited to use it. I know I could have tried to do it manually, but this will make it much more efficient and keep me from kneeling on the floor.

I see lots of benefits to the Rabaconda... my no mar is mounted to the floor so it's very stable but there are times the tire will move on the rim and mounting gets tough as I run out of room as I move the mount bar around.

I like that you don't use clamps to hold the wheel, just the wheel stopper, sometimes the wheel will spin in the clamps as sometimes it takes a few tries to get the clamps in the correct position and hold the wheel in place.

I like that you can use the bead breaker to help you get the tire in the drop center to position the duck head mount - the no mar bar can sometimes scratch a rim trying to get it into the correct position. With the no mar, if you run out of room you pretty much have to start over. I like the duck head mount vs the no mar 'peg' mount, doesn't need as much bead room to get started and should work more smoothly.

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nh1200c

· #50 · 3 mo ago

Mellow said:
I see lots of benefits to the Rabaconda... my no mar is mounted to the floor so it's very stable but there are times the tire will move on the rim and mounting gets tough as I run out of room as I move the mount bar around.

I like that you don't use clamps to hold the wheel, just the wheel stopper, sometimes the wheel will spin in the clamps as sometimes it takes a few tries to get the clamps in the correct position and hold the wheel in place.

I like that you can use the bead breaker to help you get the tire in the drop center to position the duck head mount - the no mar bar can sometimes scratch a rim trying to get it into the correct position. With the no mar, if you run out of room you pretty much have to start over. I like the duck head mount vs the no mar 'peg' mount, doesn't need as much bead room to get started and should work more smoothly.

Thanks for those comments @Mellow, I am in the market and am considering both NoMar and the Rabaconda at the present time. As someone who has no insight into either tool it is especially valuable to hear from an experienced owner.

Ride safe -
Larry

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nh1200c

· #51 · 3 mo ago

Audi403 said:
... My Rabaconda tire changer shipped today. Wont need to change any tires for a few months, but excited to use it. I know I could have tried to do it manually, but this will make it much more efficient and keep me from kneeling on the floor.

Ordered the Rabaconda yesterday. Due to high demand (and likely supply chain issues) expected date is end of April. That will actually be pretty good timing for me as I expect to be changing tires during the summer prior to a Pacific Northwest ride in July.

Larry

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Scott9999

· #52 · 3 mo ago

AHD43 said:
I haven't seen dots on tires for a long time. I use Michelin Pilot Road tires and they have a barcode imbedded in the bead that I consider the heavy.

I read somewhere that the industry has largely stopped using the dots to mark the heavy side of tires, since the overall tire quality has improved to the point where the tires come fairly evenly balanced. That's not particularly my experience, but I no longer see the dots on tires, either. But, I've found that simply adding a couple of pounds of weights here and there, and that balancing thing no longer matters, your bike is now a "thumper" regardless. 🤣🤣🤣

More seriously, I also use the Parns balancer.

As far as changing the tires, I use this system (though I've modified his process to add knee pads, and plenty of "interior lubricant", like, a couple of beers to start the procedure): 😏

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60Aviator

· #53 · 3 mo ago

Scott9999 said:
I read somewhere that the industry has largely stopped using the dots to mark the heavy side of tires, since the overall tire quality has improved to the point where the tires come fairly evenly balanced. That's not particularly my experience, but I no longer see the dots on tires, either. But, I've found that simply adding a couple of pounds of weights here and there, and that balancing thing no longer matters, your bike is now a "thumper" regardless. 🤣🤣🤣

More seriously, I also use the Parns balancer.

As far as changing the tires, I use this system (though I've modified his process to add knee pads, and plenty of "interior lubricant", like, a couple of beers to start the procedure): 😏

The dot marks the light part of the tire not the heavy and that is why they say mount this dot at the tire valve. The issue is sometimes the heavy part is not at the valve stem and that is why I check just the rim first and mark it for future changes. Dunlop still uses this mark but I am seeing more tires without it.

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judgedelta

· #54 · 3 mo ago

I change tires so seldom that I keep the No-Mar video library bookmarked on my computer and go back for reference before changing tires to make sure that I haven't forgotten some important manuever.

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beech

· #55 · 3 mo ago

Change tires for a couple of friends. Keep your skills up and even progress. Change valve stems every 4 years (mark inside the rim with date) Use Wunderlich or BMW valve stems, not discount Asian ones.

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Scott9999

· #56 · 3 mo ago

60Aviator said:
The dot marks the light part of the tire not the heavy and that is why they say mount this dot at the tire valve. The issue is sometimes the heavy part is not at the valve stem and that is why I check just the rim first and mark it for future changes. Dunlop still uses this mark but I am seeing more tires without it.

Well, um... I think I knew that, lol. Missspoke. Has been a while since I mounted a tire. But maybe I did put that dot opposite the valve stem last time, which is why it took two and a half pounds of lead to balance it. 🙄😖

Yeah, I've done that before too, i.e. spun the bare wheel on the Parns's balancer to mark the heavy spot, then position the (presumed) heavy spot of the tire opposite the heavy part of the rim (and/or valve stem, as may apply).

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60Aviator

· #57 · 3 mo ago

Scott9999 said:
Well, um... I think I knew that, lol. Missspoke. Has been a while since I mounted a tire. But maybe I did put that dot opposite the valve stem last time, which is why it took two and a half pounds of lead to balance it. 🙄😖

Yeah, I've done that before too, i.e. spun the bare wheel on the Parns's balancer to mark the heavy spot, then position the (presumed) heavy spot of the tire opposite the heavy part of the rim (and/or valve stem, as may apply).

Also I am so OCD on my first tire with no mark I balanced the rim first and after mounting tire I checked balance before seating bead. Tire was only 1/4 ounce off so I can live with just adding one more weight if not at heavy spot on the rim. Would be nice to know the criteria for the tire makers that put no mark on the tire.

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Audi403

Discussion Starter · #58 · 25 d ago

Ordered the Marc Parne's balancer today! Are you guys using it with jack stands? Do you try to level them off beforehand?

I have about 9000km on my rear Roadsmart IV. It's starting to look pretty squared off. I'm debating whether or not to try a 2000km trip with it, or swap it out 🤔

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The_real_hati

· #59 · 25 d ago

Audi403 said:
I'm debating whether or not to try a 2000km trip with it, or swap it out

I am a firm believer that you get the value out of the hoops if you run them down to the markers. Even if they square off. My measure of squareness is whether I can feel the edge while cornering or not. With the RSIII the feeling was definitely there but wasn't getting uncomfortable before getting to the markers.

I guess ultimately it depends of how comfortable you are cornering on square tyres.

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Mellow

· #60 · 25 d ago

Audi403 said:
Ordered the Marc Parne's balancer today! Are you guys using it with jack stands? Do you try to level them off beforehand?

Yes, I have the jack stands at the same level and make sure there's some space between the outer rings that sit on the stands don't touch the parts you clamp to the wheel opening.

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