How to change your own Tyres (Tubeless)

[chris-red]

Right finally used my beadbraker in anger last night. The aim was the change the tyres on my TDM.

In the end I started late and only got one done and it did take a fair amount of time.

Right the Costs.

Last time I got a set of tyres changed and the wheels balanced it cost me £32, this was lose wheel, ride in ride out in about £50. I thought this was too much.

ABBA sell a bead braker kit which includes tyre levers and rim protectors for £80, I also bought some tyre lube £9 and some wheel weights £5.

ABBA also sell a wheel balancer, but at £95 I think it is too pricey, so you get your mate to make you one

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=194015

Steve and I went in on this kit together which is a sensible idea I think as it isn't something you use often, with it costing us £50 each we will have our money back in 2 tyre changes, we have each done 1 already and only had it a couple of weeks.

I also used and ABBA Superbike stand and front lift £135. I'm not trying to Spam ABBA here but they make some decent clever kit, even if it is abit expensive for what you get everything I have bought has been worth it IMO.

It took me a fair about of time to do this first time out, getting the front wheel out about 10 minutes getting the tyre off over an hour! getting the tyre on 25 minutes balancing 25 minutes then 20 minutes to tidy up and put it back together. But this was due to not doing it before and not having the technique, I am confident tonight I can do the rear in under an hour and once I have done it a few times I reckon I could do it in 30 mins a wheel.

Right the kit

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0078.jpg

Bead braker

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0081.jpg

Wheel Balancer

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0083.jpg

Abba Stands

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0079.jpg
Old tyre - no that is not a trick of the light it is that slick on the side!

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0084.jpg
New rubber

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0086.jpg

Bike on Stands (this takes about a minute to do brilliant bit of kit)

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0089.jpg

Breaking the bead, first use a screwdriver or similar to let alot of air out of the tyre you need to make sure this is free all the way round both sides of the wheel you will need to crunch the bead 2-3 times round the side of the tyre, this frees the tire lip from the rim
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0090.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0087.jpg

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0088.jpg

Once that is off both sides you can get to work with the lube (I didn't do this which is why it took so long!) Put a generous about all over the tyre edge and inside of the rim. Then get to work with the levers MAKE SURE YOU ALWAYS USE A RIM PROTECTOR and work you way around. There is a technique but I can't think how to describe it but it isn't hard to work out.

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0091.jpg


Here is where I stoped taking photos as I got pissed off with it and could for the life of me get the second lip of the tyre over the rim (still without lube) I started hacking with a hack saw at it and was about to get an angle grinder when I decided to go inside and chill for 10 minutes instead came back lubed it up and it came off relitively easy.

My Dad told me this along time ago, if you are working on something and are pissed off with it, walk away have a cup of tea chill for 15 minutes then come back to it honestly, I could have been struggling with something for an hour, then if I leave it and come back 50% of the time I do it straight away. If you keep at it without a break you will break something/hurt yourself/both.

It was about 22:30 at this point and I wanted to go to bed. I lubed up the new tyre and go the first side on in about 5 minutes it was simple hook one side on then work your way around.

Then leaver the other side on, once you have 1/4-1/2 of the second side over the rim, get the beadbreaker and use it to pin the part you started down other wise you will be chasing it round. Once you have afew inches left you should be able to push the rest down and then...


Victory

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/IMG_0092.jpg


At this point you will need a compressor, I'm lucky my dad has one but I can't see any reason you can't take the wheels to a petrol station and use there airline.

As you fill it with air the bead will jump to the rim, don't worry if bits of it won't go just keep filling with air don't worry if the pressure go over either as when the beab pops to the rim the pressure will drop. I also dropped the tyre from waiste height a few times to help pop it out.

Steve told me he had read that the colours spots on the tyre signify the heaviest part of the tyre so if you put this opposite to the current wheel weights this would be a good start to balancing I did this and had to remove all my current wheel weights and place 15g at a 45 degree angle to the coloured spot so am not sure if this is true.

Balancing was fairly easy after my experiance. I feel it is easiest to remove and wheel weights and put the wheel on the spindel and spin it ensure it is spinning true then slow it down what you are looking for is when the wheel stops spinning for it to swing back the other way and act like a pendulum. You should see the heaviest point when the wheel stops is right at the bottom. Put some weights on the opposite side and spin again you are trying to get the wheel to stop spining and not change direction as it slows down and that the point that it stops on the bottom isn't the the same everytime you do it.

Steve and I are going to get together tonight and share our experiences and attempt the tdm rear wheel in a more sensible time frame.

Currently my view is DIY is more hassle than it is woth, but I believe this will change the more I do, it is a problem for me getting to a tyre place, as I work till after they are finished which usually leaves me Saturday morning only to get my tyres done.

I feel with practice I can change both tyres on my bike in the same or not much longer than it would take me to take the loose wheels to a shop. Plus I can do it at my own convienice.

So in answer to the question should I buy the kit?

If you can share the cost with someone and have alot of bikes and do alot of miles then it probably is especially if you are quite busy and find it difficult to get to a tyre shop. It is more worth it if you have a compressor.

Key points

Always use the rim protectors
Use lots of lube
Patience
Having someone to help helps
Double knot some string to the rim protectors you can pop it in the rim and pull it back and hook it onto the rim when it is too tight to place it there. You also don't want to lose one inside the wheel

I rode the TDM to work on the new tyre today and it felt fine, I couldn't notice any difference between that and a proffesional fitted tyre, and best of all no damage to the rim!

I might be back with more pics tomorrow after doing it tonight, I'll let you know how it goes.

Sorry for the shit photos the iPhone camera is crap.

Edit:- yes I did do this in my slipers
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[twotakt]

Excellent write up

I've removed a fair few tyres myself when I've broken bikes for spares (never refitted any) and used g clamps to break the bead.
____________________
R.I.P. Tareree Shiimi, 1985-2008

[ms51ves3]

[chris-red]

[Frost]

I've found a spade to work just as well as a posh bead breaking machine.

[evoboy]

£20 ride in ride out for me
____________________
Suzuki GT250 x7------- Fazer 600------CB250RS------Aprilia Rally 70----- Bandit 600

APT Motorcycles

[chris-red]

I justed to get it free when I lived in portsmouth, tyres at trade prices too bt010 pair fitted £177
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[CarlosCBR]

Pah, tenner loose wheels for me! Used to do push bike wheels at home but doubt i would trust myself to do my CBRs tyres.

[Dom]

Where are you paying £50 for ride in/out? That's crazy money! £20 or so seems to be the going rate, which I'm perfectly happy to pay given the hassle and cost of buying extra tools. Luckily for me I can usually get up there on a weekday too, so no waiting around.

At some point I'll have to get my head around changing tubed tyres. I've done it once on my mates F650 but that wasn't what you'd call an entirely successful experience.
____________________
Photos and that

[chris-red]

[Gazdaman]

Good work!

My best tip when fitting tyres is that you can push the tyre into the 'dip' in the centre of the rim on one side, which gives you a lot more play in the tyre on the opposite side, making it a lot easier to pop it over the lip of the rim.

You can also get cheaper bead breakers, for about £20-30 but they just work on a lever action rather than a screw like that one.
Getting your knees involved on the action is completely necessary when changing tyres.

Bead breaker: £15
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KART-BEAD-BREAKER-BRAND-NEW-TOP-QUALITY_W0QQitemZ280447296760QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Other_Vehicle_Parts_Accessories_ET?hash=item414bf624f8

Gaz

[steven_191]

it does get easier after the first few goes.

the screw type is easier to use than the lever type unless you got enough wieght/leverage to pop the bead. my tyre felt like they were glued on i had to break the bead at 6 points around the rim to make sure it was off. an extra 10 minutes of work but nothing terrible.

as for the wheel balancer. a bit of wood through the wheel sound like a shit idea. at least with mine it can actually get balanced and doesnt have to be on perfect level ground or anything like that. plus its always good fun making up stuff like that in my spare time.

[ms51ves3]

[steven_191]

apart from a bit of wood through the wheel what else do you use?

[ms51ves3]

[Gazdaman]

I tend to agree with the improvised method although your balancer thing is cool.

When we did the tyres on the race 'ped we just balanced a broom on a bench and something else.

Gaz

[steven_191]

does that mean you have a bit of wood that give a good fit in the bearings or just anything that slots through. could you do it with a long screwdriver for example? i thought the whole point of the balancing was to get the centre of the wheel at the centre of rotation which in turns shows the weight in the wheel.

either way, some people say they've never had the wheels balanced, i just wanted to make something else. i like these little projects. i wouldve probably made the bead breaker too dont tell chris

[Gazdaman]

Doesn't really have to be a perfect fit, ideally bigger than a screwdriver though.

Just spin it, mark the part of the tyre at the bottom, spin it again, if it lands at the same spot again put a weight at the opposite side.

Repeat, when it lands on a random point 3 times, it's done.

Gaz

[steven_191]

[CHR15]

part worns from ebay - £25

2 loose wheels - £10

saving money - priceless
____________________
Turbocharged drag thing / project death weapon / GK73A
Ste: I'm not entirely sure how you'd go about verbally abusing someone with a potato but I'm sure it's possible.

[chris-red]

Your wheel balancer is too small for rear tyres moron Make me another one, Rear went on fine infact putting the rear wheel back on the bike was harder than fitting the tire, it took about 10 minutes to get the rear wheel off another 10 to get the tyre off 25 to get the new one on (had abit of trouble) then 5 to balance it then about 40 mintes to get the rear wheel on and adjust the chain. Had loads of trouble holding up a heavy wheel whilst trying to ensure the 2 spacers stayed in place and lining the brake disc up with the caliper whilest trying to line the spindel up with the holes.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[m0l0t0v]

I think I'll stick to 2 wheels on the bike for 10 quid. No hassle. No damage to my rims whatsoever, balanced and cleaned.
____________________
'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed

[Gazdaman]

Cost me £17.50 to get a tyre changed on a loose wheel. That was extortionate!

Gaz

[chris-red]

I can't work out how some people can get tyres done so cheap unless it is mates rates.

After doing the rear I still have no idea how Chives fucked his rims like that, both of mine where not even marked in the slightest, I wasn;t being gentle either.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[ms51ves3]