Tire mounting DIY?

[RCinNC]

I sit the tire I'm changing on top of the new one I'm about to put on. That keeps the brake disc off the ground. That's always worked for me (I just use tire levers, I don't have a tire changing station). I doubt if you're going to bend a rim using regular motorcycle tire irons. Alternately, just support the wheel on a couple pieces of 2x4 to keep the disc off the ground.

 

[rid34fun]

I made a square out of 2x4's that the tire can sit on and that keeps the disks off the ground. It is also stable to wrestle the tire off and on. I also throw a bath towel or moving blanket over the 2x4's to prevent scratching. Works great, except for my wife who uses the towel afterwards

 

[RonH]

Safest bet is remove the discs before attempting a tire change. After discs are off, you can just work on the floor on a piece of carpet/towel ect. Many a disc bent during tire changes.

 

[RCinNC]

I don't think it's necessary, and it just adds another step to the process. Plus, if you're going to follow the recommendations of the service manual, you'll have to buy new brake disc bolts if you remove the disc. I've changed quite a few tires by hand, and never bent a disc. As long as you aren't laying the wheel disc-side down on the ground and standing on it, you'll be fine with just supporting the wheel with some two by fours or the new tire. Keep the disc off the ground and you won't have any problems with bending it.

 

[WJBertrand]

Been changin’ my own tires for decades and never took the disk rotors off. Never bent one either. Some care and awareness required of course.


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[SilverBullet]

Cheap yoga mat, cut it in half down on the garage floor. Protects the rotor and gives a stable surface to work on. I used another tire previously but don't like the excessive movement. I work faster when wheel moves less.

Rotors off? Never ever. Not only unnecessary and a waste of time but would do more harm than good.

_

 

[OldRider]

The only disc I've ever heard of getting bent were when a tire was being broken done in a tire changing machine. I don't think there's any danger of bending one if your changing the tire by hand. I just got a new tire changer and it has a huge cut out for the disc where the rim braces against the rubber pad when breaking the bead.

 

[blitz11]

What tire changer did you buy? I use a Mikes' Racing Products (stand and bead breaker - works great). My brother found a Coats 220 motorcycle tire changer for $150 last year. Yikes, what a deal. He's always been lucky.

 

[jrusell]

I would love to have a no-mar changer but I refuse to spend that much on a changer.

Prior to getting my Tenere I was a club racer for 17 years. Most weekends would see me change at least 5-6 sets of tires and I never once over that 17 years used a machine. Homemade bead breaker, 3 Tire irons, spray bottle of soapy water, and an old transmission fluid drum is all I ever used. Wheel supported at perfect height just below waist level. Disk fits inside nicely so never a chance of damage by setting it on the floor.

Split a rubber hose and zip tie it over the edge to prevent wheel damage. With my race wheels I never cared about scratching the wheels, but now with the Tenere I do take a bit more caution and use rim protectors to keep the scratches to a minimum.

 

[Don in Lodi]

I use a powered Coats automotive tire machine. I use the plastic no mark clips on the jaws and clamp from the outside. I remove the downside rotor to clear the machine's deck. Works slick.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Before getting a Harbor Freight changer I'd just rest the rim on a couple scraps of 4x4 wood. They'd hold the wheel high enough to not worry about the brake rotor.

 

[Cycledude]

Made my own tire changer and use a Mojo Lever, works great for Goldwing tires and I’ve changed hundreds but because of the spokes on the Tenere I just take those wheels to my local dealer, if I let them know a few days ahead of time they will usually change the tires while I wait.

 

[WJBertrand]

I would love to have a no-mar changer but I refuse to spend that much on a changer.

Prior to getting my Tenere I was a club racer for 17 years. Most weekends would see me change at least 5-6 sets of tires and I never once over that 17 years used a machine. Homemade bead breaker, 3 Tire irons, spray bottle of soapy water, and an old transmission fluid drum is all I ever used. Wheel supported at perfect height just below waist level. Disk fits inside nicely so never a chance of damage by setting it on the floor.

Split a rubber hose and zip tie it over the edge to prevent wheel damage. With my race wheels I never cared about scratching the wheels, but now with the Tenere I do take a bit more caution and use rim protectors to keep the scratches to a minimum.

Can't help thinking a nice improvement would be to mount a length of all-thread rod in the center, projecting above the rim and perhaps anchored in the bottom with some concrete? That'd let you secure the wheel against any upward forces while mounting as well as stabilize the drum.

 

[steve68steve]

I usually mount my own tires. Being super cheap/ perpetually broke, I usually struggle with tire irons, woodworking clamps, 2x4's, whatever comes to hand. I balance them by spanning the axle across a pair of jack stands and spinning. I've had the Harbor Freight changer but only used it once. It needs some mods to not be frustrating IME.


Bottom line: there are many ways to skin this cat, from cheapo tire irons to road-side fancy tools to mega-buck automatic changers. Pick something you can live with and start changing your own tires. The time, transport, hassle, and money saved in the long term are worth it, IME.

 

[Checkswrecks]

One of the nice things about buying a used tire changer or even less expensive one is that you can use it for years and sell it for what you have in it.

 

[OldRider]

What tire changer did you buy? I use a Mikes' Racing Products (stand and bead breaker - works great). My brother found a Coats 220 motorcycle tire changer for $150 last year. Yikes, what a deal. He's always been lucky.

I've got a K&L changer with a strong arm.

 

[blitz11]

Nice! Thanks.