How to: Change Your Own Tires - Page 4

FIZZER6 · 08-06-2008, 07:15 PM

UPDATE: The mojolever is critical. I started to demount my tires with the HF iron and quickly decided against it... Don't try it without the mojolever you will mess up the lip of your rims...especially if you have a 2006+ model since we have black rims...and aluminum metal shows really strong when the black paint is nicked off! Another week or so before I can ride the bike again, since I had to order the mojolever after starting the job.

FIZZER6 · 08-13-2008, 08:43 AM

I've done it! New tires are mounted and balanced, reinstalled on the bike and feel great!

The HF changer worked great once I got the MoJo blocks (great investment) and the MoJo Lever is absolutely essential! Without the MoJo lever you might as well forget even trying, you'll destroy your rim lips. The MoJo lever didn't leave a single mark on either rim and this was my first time using it! Tires came off the rims in about 2 min each and the only slight issue I had was in mounting the second bead on the front tire...but it works great with this setup with minimal effort!

Some tips I'll give:
1. Keep the tire lube at hand as you mount and demount.
2. Buy the Mojo Lever and Mojo blocks! The Mojolever
3. Having a helper to hold the rim from trying to spin as you mount the beads of the new tires is important if you want this to go easy.
4. Get yourself a good static wheel balancer from Yamaha Motorcycle Wheel Balancer
5. When reinstalling your wheels back on the bike don't forget alignment! I use the string method to keep the rear wheel in line with the front. The little tick marks in the axel adjusters aren't accurate unless you have a very lucky bike that is perfectly true from rear swingarm to triple tree!

kirkeb · 08-13-2008, 08:59 AM

+1 to having a partner!

Got a catalog from HF over the weekend. Tire changer is listed in it for $39.00 Everyone should have one at that price.

FIZZER6 · 08-13-2008, 09:14 AM

I'm saving $75 every time I change my own tires now...should pay for the setup in a couple changes...plus coworkers and riding buddies are already asking me if I'll change theirs next time they need them....I figure a small fee of pizza and a case of beer for a tire change is fair.

ukdej79 · 08-13-2008, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirkeb

+1 to having a partner!

Got a catalog from HF over the weekend. Tire changer is listed in it for $39.00 Everyone should have one at that price.

Make sure to check that. Mine came as two pieces. The tire changer was about 40 bucks but you also have to get the motorcycle attachment which is another 40 or 50 bucks. Plus the Nomar or Mojolever mount/demount bar (I also highly recommend) which is another $100. but at around $200 bucks it still ain't bad. A couple of tire changes will have it paid for.

Also, I'll second the partner comment. I did my rear tire by myself and did a friends rear tire with him their. The extra hand definitely helps.