Is it possible to change tyres yourself?

Originally Posted by Dr Rich

Make a triangle out of wood, will save you a few mins.

That'd work, but I choose to remove disc, that way it is impossible to slip up and damage them

Originally Posted by Berlin

Bear in mind yopu're "supposed" to change the valves each timne you change tyres but to be honest this is probably the biggest nonsense ever.

It could be a one off but the valve on my front tyre split half way up the stem when I was doing an indicated 135 mph on a track day on a GSX 1100 last year. I'm just grateful I'd put elastic bands on the bottom of my trousers. I'd not had the bike too long so I don't know how old those valves were; I'd be tempted to change them though.

[JediGoat]

Another vote here for just riding down to Essential Rubber and getting them to do it. You can have a 10 min rest with yer feet up while they do the hard work, and for a decent price. I got a new set of Road Attacks on my SV (inc fitting and balancing) for £180.

IIRC they charge around £20 to fit and balance a tyre you take in.

All in all, top folks who I will be using again and recommending to many others

Jo

Just saw an interesting way of breaking the bead using a bike's sidestand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzgHVjXZwoM

Originally Posted by teriyakimonkey

Just saw an interesting way of breaking the bead using a bike's sidestand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzgHVjXZwoM

Thats how we do it when it goes wrong in the sticks. Helps if you have a centrestand tho to rock it on and off off, or another bike with you.
Tricky for the front tho if you dont have someone with you

Also much danger of dinging your rim.

Another economy bead breaker. http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/bead-...ad-breaker.htm

Originally Posted by pilot

Another economy bead breaker. http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/bead-...ad-breaker.htm

I hope he is using his own car there ... imagine coming outside to see your neighbour using your car for it .... ... or more importantly your neighbour catching you using theirs!!

Well the rear is done! The bead broke me in the end though. After neding a roof rack bar (Very heavy) bu driving my van up it to break the bead I went to Kwik Fit where the removed the tyre for nowt. Obviously scratching it though even though I said please don't scratch the wheel, that's why I was doing it in the first place. Might not bother doing the front as it took me so bloody long.

Looks like Essential rubber will be having a visit from me.

I honestly dont think its worth it unless you do a lot of changes. I have bought a big G-clamp to break the bead, will try that next time. Its one of thoee things sometimes it goes so easy, other times its a real pig.

[Red Herring]

I have to say I invested in an Abba bead breaker and a balancer stand years ago and they have saved me so much agro. It's not just the cost saving over the years, it's the convienience as well. I tend to buy sticky track tyres for my race bikes then when the shoulders are worn away put them on my road bikes to finish them off properly. It also saves you having to have multiple sets of wheels/discs for you bike if you can get up in the morning, look at the weather then fit the right tyres for the conditions.

PS. little tip with tyre levers, buy the slightly rounded ones and then slide a length of 1" water pipe over them (put it in hot water first to soften it up). Saves you dinging the rim and allows you to slide the lever around the rim rather than taking fresh b