Tyre Fitting

Gashead Harry · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 22 Mar 2008 Karma :

Is it possible to fit tyres to a bike myself. What tools will i need for this job as I dont want to be damaging the rims? Im also concerned about wheel balancing is that an issue?

Thanks,
Harry.
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chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

Abba do a kit for about £150 I think with everything required, I'm considering getting it myself.
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nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

It's do-able for a tenner...
https://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299597
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iooi · Super Spammer Joined: 14 Jan 2007 Karma :

If you got tubed wheels then its as easy as a push bike and all you need is some tyre levers to get the tyres off.

If they are tubeless, then its not quite as easy, but can be done. Hardest part can be breaking the seal on the old tyre's and then getting the new tyre to seat properly. As you need a good amount of air pressure to do this.
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Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

If its for your CG it won't be a big problem, I'm guessing its a tubed tyre? You need a couple of tyre levers or tyre spoons at least 12" long, rim protectors, I use some scraps of leather but you can buy them, a bit of lube, a weak mix of washing up liquid works fine and maybe a valve tool.

Total cost is about 20 quid and up to an hour of your life! I made my own balancer but the local shop only charges £2 so this might be a better option. The last two tyres didn't need any weights simply because I lined up the dot properly to the valve.

Just be careful you don't pinch the tube.

Take a look at this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anyY0UO5gqk. Yes I know its tubeless but there are some good hints, especially the bead breaker.
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Blue_SV650S · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2008 Karma :

binge · Emo Kiddy Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

Or just run the loose wheel and new tyre to your local watling tyres / kwik fit / ATS and give one of the lads a £5er to fit it for you.

Ben

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I do tubed tyres on trail bikes all the time these days, following this guide:
https://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50717

Need some tyre levers and rim protectors if you don't want to scratch the rims. Started off using rim protectors, then looked at my rims (wheels are from bikes doing enduro and motocross) and realised a few more scratches wasn't going to make much difference.
Actually a decent bit easier than with the rim protectors, I reckon.

Usually just jump on it to break the bead, but actually had a bit of problem last night. Ended up doing it by putting two tyre levers in upside down to push the tyre down a bit, then one in between those to the right way up. Once the bead was broken there, the rest popped off by hand.

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

Glad it's (hopefully) helpful to someone. I have to admit that I'd much rather change the tyres myself than let some eedjit at kwik-fit, or some thoroughly expensive bike shop dude snaffle my hard-earned cash for the sake of changing rubber.
Also, thet lube stuff they use for fitting tyres makes a godawful mess, and I'll (hopefully, again) have just resprayed my bike by then, so I don't want tyre jizz all over it.
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binge · Emo Kiddy Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

Blue_SV650S · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2008 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

mad4it028 · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Karma :

i worked at shit fit for a couple of years theres no way on this earth ide take my car or bike there after seeing what most(not all)the numptys at shit fit get up to
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binge · Emo Kiddy Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

Blue_SV650S · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Nov 2008 Karma :

binge · Emo Kiddy Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

Meh, They're not all bad. Watling tyres would be the best option if you are look at it from that perspective as they are motorcycle specialists.

Ben

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

binge, I apologise if I've caused any offence. All I can say is that I haven't heard anything positive about them in years, and my experiences with having car tyres fitted there were pretty atrocious.
I've always been a DIY sort of guy, and the link I posted seems to be a good and easy way to fit/remove tyres. I've never said it's superior to a garage job, my implication was that I've had bad experiences of Kwik Fit, and as such, I would not use their services again. As for other garages: well, that's pretty much the same story, just at a higher hourly rate, is all.
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binge · Emo Kiddy Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Karma :

You've not caused offense. I get it all the time mate. Laughing

Looking at your profile, Your in London. Some of the Worst Kwik-Fits and other auto centers are based in the Capital. And most of the Kwik-fits up north are pretty grim too.

Its easier said than done, But as long as you get a decent center, then you're alright. There's only 3 of us at our center. Manager, Myself, and a master fitter. Been after an apprentice for a while because the workload gets a bit much sometimes.

We do head gaskets, Cam Belts, Alternators, Water pumps etc in our depot too. The other fella I work with is an ex-service tech so he knows his stuff.

However, 5 minutes up the road theres another depot, Which is packed out with under 18 fitters who knock jobs out with little respect for anything really.

Same goes with Main dealer garages I suppose. I've worked for VW in the past. They are just as bad, If not worse Than auto centers like Kwik-fit.

At least in Fast fit centers the customer has the option to stand and watch. At main dealer your car goes in that workshop, and you don't see it again until It's parked out on the forecourt.

Ben

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

That's definitely true about the dealerships.
In honesty, the only place I've heard of in London that's supposed to be any good is Essential Rubber: I only say that because the couriers I know swear by it. Still probably going to do it myself, though: tyres themselves are expensive enough, without the rim-scratching surcharge, and I can't be arsed to get it done outside of London. The thought of having to do a motorway run on totally fresh tyres kinda gives me the fear, especially if I don't totally trust the fitting.
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D O G · World Chat Champion Joined: 18 Dec 2006 Karma :

Do you have to balance tubed tyres?

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

Yes, tubed tyres are no different.
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