Date: 28-03-24  Time: 19:32 pm

Author Topic: Changing a Tyre yourself ?  (Read 3450 times)

focced_off

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Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« on: 25 May 2018, 01:23:42 pm »
Hello all,

Looking at picking up a new front tyre. Wheel is not currently on the Bike.

Anyone recommend removing existing tyre/fitting a new one myself? Is there an easy way to do this? :)
Or it's too difficult a job without proper tools and taking it to a bike mechanic/garage is preferred?

A consideration, this is a replacement (2nd hand) Wheel that I've picked up, however not used before.
Perhaps it's safer to get a garage to do it so they can check this wheel over, plus ensure its properly balanced.

darrsi

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #1 on: 25 May 2018, 01:38:10 pm »
Think you just questioned and answered yourself  :lol
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focced_off

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #2 on: 25 May 2018, 02:37:45 pm »
Think you just questioned and answered yourself  :lol

Well thanks for the reassurance.  ...that I was better to get it done "professionally" :D  . Thinking aloud I suppose. :)
I've never been to a mechanic to change a bike tyre before - how many notes do they normally take for the privilege (£££) ?

darrsi

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #3 on: 25 May 2018, 02:50:24 pm »
Think you just questioned and answered yourself  :lol

Well thanks for the reassurance.  ...that I was better to get it done "professionally" :D  . Thinking aloud I suppose. :)
I've never been to a mechanic to change a bike tyre before - how many notes do they normally take for the privilege (£££) ?

Depends where you live I would imagine, but mine normally charges me £10 or £15, with the wheel off the bike.
Because I buy my tyres online, it still works out way cheaper than riding a bike into a tyre/bike shop and buying off the shelf then getting them fitted.
Last time I did that a few years ago I paid something like £164 for a rear T30 to be fitted in the tyre shop.
I recently bought a PR4 online for £120 and had it fitted for about £15.

Just a peace of mind thing for me as well, for that sort of money i just prefer to let someone do it with the proper tools for the job.
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Fazerider

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #4 on: 25 May 2018, 02:52:09 pm »

While there are Youtube videos showing how to change tyres yourself with minimal tools, I’ve found it to be a struggle. A tyre changer like this does make it a lot easier, though you’ll probably want to bolt it to the ground for stability.
Inflating the tyre will require an airline, the flow rate needs to be sufficient to cope with the leakage when the bead isn’t seated, so you’ll need to take it to a garage forecourt if you don’t have a compressor.
The FZS600 wheels are narrow enough for static balancing to achieve a good result, it’s something I’ve always done myself as the fitter I used to use didn’t have a balancer that could cope with m/c wheels.

daviee

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #5 on: 25 May 2018, 06:25:50 pm »
changing a tyre aint so bad the biggest problem is braking the bead after that is easy if you dont have a  big vice or bead breaker then get the shop  to remove it fitting bike tyres was my first job in the bike trade many moons ago set of levers and a big vice job done


Hugh Mungus

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #6 on: 25 May 2018, 06:48:52 pm »
I will happily fit new tyres to wheels that require inner tubes as they are easy.


Tubeless tyres are a different matter altogether. I've done it a couple of times and regretted even starting the job.
Save yourself all the hassle and grief by taking it to a tyre fitter and get it balanced while you're there. It will be the best £10/15 you've spent.

Disorderlypunk

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #7 on: 25 May 2018, 08:18:57 pm »
back in the good old days of motocross i would always change my own but today it is nothing but a ball ache with street bikes due to beading etc
i remove my wheel and take it to a garage as its 1-quicker 2-easier 3-less likely to go wrong
its about a tenner depending where you go so just have them do it

Bretty

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #8 on: 25 May 2018, 09:34:40 pm »
Surely the critical thing is the balancing. The last thing you want is a wobble on at speed.
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Chillitt

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #9 on: 25 May 2018, 11:36:34 pm »
A mate popped round the other weekend and changed both tyres for me all he had was a couple of tyre levers.  while he started on the beads I turned the compressor on and started sorting out airlines. Perfect moment for the motor to pack up then.. My mate was not phased by this and went and got a stirrup type bicycle pump from his car that has a little tank you pump up for seating tubeless tyres. No chance I thought, but it seated the beads first try on both wheels. Never seen the like of it.

darrsi

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #10 on: 26 May 2018, 12:33:05 am »
A mate popped round the other weekend and changed both tyres for me all he had was a couple of tyre levers.  while he started on the beads I turned the compressor on and started sorting out airlines. Perfect moment for the motor to pack up then.. My mate was not phased by this and went and got a stirrup type bicycle pump from his car that has a little tank you pump up for seating tubeless tyres. No chance I thought, but it seated the beads first try on both wheels. Never seen the like of it.


My dad, and both older brothers used to be tyre fitters, they could fit a tyre on anything you want, 'cos that was their thing.
Same as any profession, right tools, knowledge and experience goes a long way.
Or, you can attempt things yourself, fuck up the rims, have air leaks and generally get things wrong.
If it ain't your thing, let the pro's deal with it.
Not like it's an expensive thing, and for the speeds these bikes do it's just the right choice.
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celticbiker

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #11 on: 26 May 2018, 05:48:06 pm »
TBH it depends on how you use your bike and tyres. I have a preference for wet weather, dry weather, commuting and 'playing' so change my tyres almost weekly. To this end I bought a manual tyre machine.
I can get both tyres changed and back on the bike in 45 minutes.
Honestly tyres are a cinch, and changing them yourself gives you the opportunity to check the bearings and seals and you know they are balanced correctly too.
There are other benefits too, you can shop around for good deals on tyres, not pay dealership prices and at the very least you can save 30 quid a pair on fitting.
Within two tyre changes I had saved enough money to cover the cost of the tyre changer and a compressor.
Another benefit is that you can also change the tyres on your other vehicles saving money there too.
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Hugh Mungus

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #12 on: 26 May 2018, 07:36:32 pm »
It's a cinch if you have the correct tools.
If you're mucking about with tyre levers it's not worth it.


I'd not actually thought of buying a tyre changer myself but then again I only get through one set of tyres a year.

celticbiker

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #13 on: 26 May 2018, 07:59:10 pm »
My bad, sorry.
That's what I was trying to get across.
If you want to change your own tyres then get the correct kit.
I slipped with tyre levers once and broke my son in laws shin. We were only laughing about it the other week.
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Disorderlypunk

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #14 on: 29 May 2018, 12:03:10 pm »
TBH it depends on how you use your bike and tyres. I have a preference for wet weather, dry weather, commuting and 'playing' so change my tyres almost weekly. To this end I bought a manual tyre machine.
I can get both tyres changed and back on the bike in 45 minutes.
Honestly tyres are a cinch, and changing them yourself gives you the opportunity to check the bearings and seals and you know they are balanced correctly too.
There are other benefits too, you can shop around for good deals on tyres, not pay dealership prices and at the very least you can save 30 quid a pair on fitting.
Within two tyre changes I had saved enough money to cover the cost of the tyre changer and a compressor.
Another benefit is that you can also change the tyres on your other vehicles saving money there too.


would it not be easier to just have spare wheels lol

celticbiker

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #15 on: 30 May 2018, 07:20:25 am »
Haven't got around to getting any for this bike yet but I have a spare set for the tdm for the same reason.
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Nemesis

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #16 on: 30 May 2018, 08:58:59 am »
Spare wheels now thats the way to go Punk, i like that idea :D

focced_off

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Re: Changing a Tyre yourself ?
« Reply #17 on: 30 May 2018, 12:50:03 pm »
Nice to see I've started an interesting debate on the subject. :think
I don't have any specialist tools that could be used for this job. Also considering how infrequently I'd be needing to replace tyres...

However change from £20 to fit a new tyre (that's provided) plus hopefully a balance/inspection makes it very reasonable, plus the peace of mind.