So I'm about to order some new tires, and get some extras, prob thru STT. I do want to save $$ and mount them myself, I heard that it's not all that hard. But then I have to make my own balance also right. Is balancing crucial like car tires? Any tips/tools on mounting tires yourself? I have some tire irons but want to know how to do it w/o the fancy jigs at the track or touchless jigs etc. Can I get by w/ tire irons, a bucket and elbow grease?
It is not hard to do but if you are going to do them yourself pick up a balancer from harbor freight or somewhere.
I know several people who have very positive things to say about this: http://www.nomartirechanger.com/
I've changed my own tires for a number of years. Initially it was just using the old fashioned bicycle method with large screwdrivers, then with irons, and lately with the Harbor Freight tire changer. Each step was a vast improvement over the previous. For $100 you can get the HF and motorcycle addition and they pay for themselves in a short time depending on how many tires you go through. The drawback is that they aren't easy on rims. if you worry about your rims getting marked, there are some options such as the no-mar bar with a neoprene end that work very well. I don't care that much about my rims as far a small marks go, so I don't have one, but I hear very good things. I have never balanced a tire in my life. Generally my tires/rims are balanced by a dealer initially and I haven't found the need to re-balance them when changing tires. I always line up the balancing dot from the factory and leave it at that. I've never experienced a problem with my method even at high speeds, nor abnormal tire wear. However, as I'm sure you'll hear from others on the forum, it's probably not the BEST solution to offer someone. I've heard some both extremes of the balancing beads. Some love them and some hate them. I've not tried them myself, just because I've never needed to. I have some in my garage, but just haven't added them yet to any of my bikes. It might provide you with another balancing option. "your results may vary".
I spooned my tires all last year, got a no-mar now its nice. If you are going to spoon your tires get some rim protectors from motion pro helps save the wheels from dings. Also use a water based soap for lube or buy some tire lube. A bucket might be a bit small ,dont rest the wheel on the rotors they bend easy. To brake the bead I bought a cheap bead breaker at H.F. you want to Balance the no-mar is not bad, I also have a Marc Parns balancer ,there both o.k. When you start mounting the P.R. or other race tires bring extra beer there very stiff. Good luck
Do they? but either way, then you have to spend time off the track at the event so they can do work. I just rather buy some, get it shipped home and try some myself. Become one w/the bike. blah.
You can mount tires at home and there are many ways to do it. Some of the newer tires that run lower pressures have harder sidewalls that make it a bitch to mount. I bought a No-Mar system and can say its paid for itself in one year from mounting my tires to other for a small fee. Doing it yourself eliminates issues of people scratching your rims, bending your rotors and possibly ruining a track day. Also Balance your tires. Trusting the balance from a previous tire is crazy. Might work for low speeds but on the track rotational forces make grams turn into Kilo's. Not good for tire wear, bearings or stability of the bike. Balancers are cheap and easily made.
Wow, $500 for the nomar I'm thinking. Isn't that about 25 tire changes ($20 a piece) to recoup the cost? I better start advertising tire changes at my house now.
Is tire mounting at track for free? Anybody also have a website tutorial on how to replace a tire by hand/levers they can recommend. Thanks. I'm willing to sweat, but want to do it smart.
Provided that STT has tire service at the track, they will change your tires for a fee. It's $15 or $20, I can't remember, it's been a while for me. Also, one thing that I would change about the process in the video is to seat the beads before inserting the valve, makes it easier if your compressor doesn't have enough oomph.
+1 to seating the beads first Another thought is to ask around and see if a local cycle freak has a no-marr or tire changer I have access to an automatic one at the local auto club for instance that I'm a member of up here in Wisconsin, I know Trevor had a changer in his garage as well - etc etc Most folks will help ya out - I'm not a fan of the tire irons method personally - way too much a pita
You mean like me??? Anyone in the charlotte area is welcome to use my Harbor Frieght changer. I disagree with the bead popping idea, but that's just me and people do it different ways. I usually put minimal amounts of air in as I see the tire start to move and then stop to let it slide in. that way (in my mind anyway) I'm not having to over-fill to as much of an extreme. Like I said though...just whatever method you're comfortable with.
