The rise of online motorcycle parts retailers has meant a substantial drop in prices for virtually everything you need for your motorcycle. And for those that don’t mind getting their hands dirty, tasks like mounting your own motorcycle tires can now be down cheaper in your own garage than at the local dealership. So we here at AMERiders Answer the Question: How To Change a Motorcycle Tire?
This also can be a necessity for owners of older machines that some dealers may not want to service due to inexperience with vintage motorcycles. Whatever your reasoning, the tools needed are minimal and the knowledge of being able to change your own tires could help get you out of a jam somewhere down the road, so it is worth learning how to do yourself.
Step 1: The first step is obviously to remove your tire (front or rear) from the motorcycle. You’ll need to refer to your owner’s manual for the specific details, but generally, you need to lift the motorcycle off of the ground and remove the axle so that the wheel can come free of the motorcycle.
Step 2: Once the Motorcycle Tire is off, you’ll want to deflate the tire completely. The best method is to remove the valve stem core from the valve stem. This is removed with a special tool that is picked up from your local auto parts store for just a few dollars, so don’t try and remove it with pliers and risk damaging your valve stem.
Step 3: Now you need to break the bead that holds the tire to the rim. If you have a fairly narrow tire, you can get away with just using a benchtop vise to break the bead. For those with larger tires (especially the rear wheel), you’ll need a special bead breaker. The Motion Pro BeadPro Aluminum Tire Bead Breaker is a good choice as it also has integrated tire spoons, which you will need for the next step. Never try to break the bead by beating on the tire with a hammer, you’ll more likely to damage the rim than loosen the Motorcycle Tire.
Step 4: Once the tire bead is broken, you can start levering off the first side using a set of tire spoons. Some motorcycle tool kits come with a set of small spoons, but a longer spoon will give you more leverage, which will make the whole job a lot easier. The basic operation is to first slide the spoon between the Motorcycle Tire and the rim using the “hooked” end to grab the edge of the tire. Then you pull the end of the tire iron towards the center of the rim which will pull the edge of the tire up and over the rim.
Step 5: If you are running a spoked wheel with a tube, you’ll need to remove it next. Unbolt the valve stem from the rim and carefully slide the tube out between the rim and the tire.
Step 6: Using the same technique as in steps 4 and 5, lever off the other side of the Motorcycle Tire.
Step 7: Inspect the inside of the rim for rust and debris. It is important to clean the inside thoroughly, especially if you have steel rims, which are prone to rust. A wire brush and a cordless drill can make quick work of clearing away the rust. I also recommend using a lightweight spray-on corrosion inhibitor on steel wheels after they have been wire brushed.
Step 8: Coat the edges of the new tire liberally with bead lube to help it slide onto the rim.
Step 9: If you are running a spoked wheel, make sure you have a rim strip installed (a thin band of rubber that covers the spoke nipples to protect the tube).
Step 10: Using the fork spoons, lever on one side of the tire.
Step 11: For tubed tires, insert the tube between the tire and rim making sure it is not twisted or kinked. Also, make sure to push the valve stem back through the hole in the rim.
Step 12: Carefully lever the other side of the tire onto the rim using the tire spoon.
Step 13: Reinstall the valve stem and inflate the tire until it seats completely on the rim. This may require inflating the tire past the recommended riding pressure.
Step 14: Remount the wheel on your motorcycle and verify that it has the correct air pressure.
When it is all said and done, the hardest part of the whole process is usually removing the wheel from the bike. Unless the tires are extremely old and hard, removing them should be relatively easy with a good set of tire spoons and the new tires should go on much easier with their more pliable fresh rubber.
~And as always…
~Live Free Ride Hard~
~AMERiders
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