Is it possible to change tyres yourself?

[Red Herring]

Originally Posted by chunkytfg

To be fair i originally heard about the Spinning rim issue from supermoto riders and if you have ever had the pleasure of fitting SM tyres you will know how loose they are on the rim compared to road tyres because of the fact they use innertubes so dont have to be that tight.

If you span a tyre with an innertube it would tear the valve out leaving you with a rapidly deflatting tyre and possibly a pretty certain crash.

Correct, we also run the pressures much lower, sometimes just 18/20 psi and with hot sticky slicks gripping the track, and big brakes gripping the wheel, something has to give....

Going to attempt fitting a new front tyre myself over Christmas (nothing like lurking in a cold garage to dampen murderous feelings once the family start to grate ), I've got all the necessary bits now, was just wondering if anyone had any experience of this:
http://www.motorcycle-road-and-race....ucts_id=406236
Or anything similar. Opinions?

Is there any reason you couldn't manually test* the balancing with the wheel in situ on the bike if you had the wheel off the floor with a stand. In the case of the front wheel, I'd be using a headstock stand so forks and hence axle wouldn't be at a funny angle like a normal front paddock stand?



*the "spin it several times and see if it's inclined to stop in the same place" test.

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

Yes, but you if you're buying new tyres you shouldn't need to.

If your tyre supplier doesn't fit for free when you're buying new ones - go somewhere else, many do and as you're in London you're spoiled for choice. Try:

Essential Rubber
27-29 Downham Road
London
N1 5AA
020 7241 0055

Useful skill to have of course but even though I can I almost never do, at the very least the balancing is too time consuming, and the potential for a scuffed rim is far greater of course, especially if you buy Dunlops as they always seem to have bastid stiff carcasses!

I love the guys at essential rubber, they repaired my rear MEZ6 when i went in asking for a new set. Said they would be robbing me of my money because it still had 800 miles on it.




tyre got a second puncture 4 days later, killed the rear tyre...darn

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Going to attempt fitting a new front tyre myself over Christmas (nothing like lurking in a cold garage to dampen murderous feelings once the family start to grate ), I've got all the necessary bits now, was just wondering if anyone had any experience of this:
http://www.motorcycle-road-and-race....ucts_id=406236
Or anything similar. Opinions?

Is there any reason you couldn't manually test* the balancing with the wheel in situ on the bike if you had the wheel off the floor with a stand. In the case of the front wheel, I'd be using a headstock stand so forks and hence axle wouldn't be at a funny angle like a normal front paddock stand?



*the "spin it several times and see if it's inclined to stop in the same place" test.

Assuming that the cones to make the wheel sit in the middle of the pole is included in the box, as the description says, and they just didn't put it together right for the picture then I've used something similar, to good effect.

Spinning the wheel on the bike is possible and should pick up major imbalances, but the resistance to turning the wheel using the bearings, plus drag from the brakes etc is less precise. Even with the brakes, chain etc removed it's still not going to be as smooth as the bit of kit above, as that spins the whole pole / axel on some very nice little low drag rollers.


HTH

Jambo

Ta Jambo.

[yorkie_chris]

When I balance mine I use the stock spindle supported between axle stands. Have checked results on an electronic balancer and I was out by 15 degrees to what the machine suggested to put the weight. So near enough.

Another question, I was looking at replacing the valve at the same time. Anyone got experience of ones like these?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...BSI%26otn%3D12
Also, anyone know what size valve the SV (K4) takes as my Haynes is at the other end of the country.

TIA.

[yorkie_chris]

I use normal snap in ones and replace every time I change tyre. They're cheap enough.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I use normal snap in ones and replace every time I change tyre. They're cheap enough.

Any recommendations on where to buy and what size/type the SV (K4) takes?

Cheers,

Ceri

[Viney]

All that hassle! at the very least i take the wheels off myself either at home or the shope, or i go to Essential and they do it for me Whey too much hassle IMHO