Afternoon
I have arrived at the unenviable point where I need to change a tyre, unfortunately I can not find a local garage, thus far, which can deal with a classic rim. If anyone knows somewhere in Somerset UK please let me know otherwise what are the pitfalls of attempting this 'dangerous' looking job ones self?
Andrew

email (option): andrew.tizzard@asarchaeology.com

whereabouts are you?

I am 12 mile east of Devizes

changing tubed tyres is something every motorcyclist should be able to do for himself.
its a doddle really.

you need to be shown how , plus a good set levers, a swearbox and knuckle plasters

As Ken says, Go for it ! If you can change a bicycle tyre then you can manage the 100% aspect ratio tyres fitted to an M20. They're designed to be repaired at the side of the road !

I'm not keen removing modern low-profile tyres fitted to alloy rims but you can't do much harm learning on a WD bike.

There are a few tricks so it is helpful to watch someone the first time.

If you do attempt it yourself go to a tyre fitters and get some proper 'tyre soap' for lubricating the tyre when fitting. Also get a pair of the curved plastic rim protectors which prevent your levers making direct contact with the rim....Painted WD rims will soon turn into unpainted WD rims after changing a tyre without them....

Most motorcycle shops should be able to handle fitting tyres to your rims and the tyre fitting machines don't contact the rim...

If not a bike shop go to a commercial tyre fitters that does cars and motorcycles...They will do it for you...

As mentioned you should try to become conversant with changing tyres, particularly if you plan to do any touring...There's not always somewhere convenient that can do the job for you...

Personally I would practice on an old wheel if you can get one...Something from the breakers perhaps....

Also try to find someone prepared to show you how to go about it a couple of times...If you can also get a look at someone else's tyre levers so you know what to buy...Half of the job is good levers...I have a set that I have reshaped to suit what I like and have polished the ends to remove any 'sharp' areas...I've had them for years and don't really like using any others....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

I've changed hundreds of tyres in my time. More on cars though. But I fit most of my motorcycle tyres myself.....unless of course someone else is offering. The biggest problem is removing the old rock hard ancient tyres without bending the rim. I've even sawn them off or taken them to my local motorcycle shop or Poole Tyres for removal. The new modern soft tyres are quite simple to fit though. Sometimes without the need for levers. I lubricate them with liquid hand soap (not Fairy) and just tread them on. As the others say though, it is best to see it done first. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I bet there are instructional videos of how to do it on U tube.
But with plenty of lubrication it isnt to difficult. And there is the satisfaction of doing it yourself.
With my spare tube and levers for emergency road side repairs, I carry an old 35mm camera film container full with tyre fitters soap for lubrication.

I changed the rear tyre on my WM20 not so many miles back, and it was simple. I didn't even have proper tyre levers; just a couple of smooth knife handles, a couple of screwdrivers, and a bar of soap.

And a girlfriend.

Having the girlfriend is the trick (no dirty comments, please). I just lever up one edge of a flattened tyre. She holds on to that lever to provide a "stop" for the tyre, and then you just work around the bead levering it up and over with the other two levers.

When you refit the inner tube, inflate it slightly (5-10psi) to hold it in place.

If there are any special tricks (aside from riding the tyre flat to break the bead), just make sure you push the loosened tyre deep into the centre of the rim to provide maximum clearance (as it were). Try not to nip the inner tube on refitting. Also, don't try to work at too much at once. You can "nibble" off the tyre, inch by inch. Suddenly it will all want to come off.

It's really not a mystery. It's simple. Steel rims with wire spokes have plenty of "give". I've changed tyres on the cast wheels on my T140s, and that's harder (especially if you're stupid and forget to break the bead properly first).

You don't need a tyre fitter. Moto Cross boys pull off tyres with their fingers. As Nike says, just do it.

And remember this: there's a lot of satisfaction when you do it yourself. You'll know that when you're out on the road, you can fix a flat easily. Being the master of your own machine (and all that stuff) makes for a better ownership experience.

email (option): dannydefazio@sumpmagazine.com

The most important thing to remember is that, which ever bead you are working on (left or right) the tire edge opposite of where you are working (e.g., the edge at the 6 o'clock position if you are working at 12 o'clock) must be held in the center of the rim. If you will look at the rim and imagine its cross-section, you will see that, in the center, where the spoke nipples go, it is "indented" from the rest of the rim. That means that the center of the rim has a somewhat smaller circumference than the part where the tire edges eventually end up. When the other end of the tire is in that smaller circumference it lets the tire on the working side ride over the edge of the rim. If you have a girlfriend available, the best use for her is probably to let her push down or step on the opposite end of where you are working, to make sure that the bead is in the center of the rim. My wife refuses to help me with any bike work (or even her own car, for that matter) so I kneel with both knees on one side of the tire to keep it in the center, while working on the other side with two tire irons. (Maybe I should get a girlfriend who might be willing to help? Ah, who am I kidding, I'm not French.)

email (option): jonny.rudge@verizon.net

There are some tyre levers that I have that when using them it is virtually impossible to nip the tube with, Wassells sell them they have a couple of curves on them. The only other thing is to put just enough air in the tube to keep its shape when it is fitted inside the tyre. I change all the tyres that come into the garage by hand as I don't do enough of them to warrant a tyre changing machine. I always put the tube inside the tyre before I start and feed the valve in first, then put the nut over the valve to stop it falling back out. Then I get one side on fully, and make sure it is pushed well into the well in the middle and then I just take small bites at getting it over the rim. Most tyres these days are quite soft on the sidewall and go on pretty easy compared with the older style ones that have rock hard sidewalls.

email (option): davmax@ntlworld.com

Ive also fitted hundreds of tyres, every motorcyclist should be able to carry out this simple task. On the Scottish six day trial every rider has just four minutes to change a tube with only one tyre lever, if you cant do it you get a fail!
I always fit the tube in the tyre with just a bit of air,then fit the tyre to rim valve first, using lubricant( I use leather hide food)easing tyre on using your feet to press rim into well and hands to push rest of rim over. You should only use levers for the last 6" of tyre, carefull not to pinch tube or you will have to start all over again

email (option): barryrapley@sky.com

One tip I can offer is to lubricate the tube with a bit of talcum powder after making sure there is no dirt, rust or spoke ends poking through inside.If the rim is old and rusty make sure it's well cleaned up and painted to avoid hidden rust continuing unseen.

Happened to me last summer. Click to the picture to see what a man can do:)

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http://s868.photobucket.com/user/kalletikas/slideshow/naelkumm

Hi Kalle.

Flat tyres, really unpleasant but the photos are great. Is that you in the photos?

Henk

email (option): ahum@quicknet.nl

Yes its me. Photobucket shows them wrong order when clicking on the picture. You have to click previous to see next:(

Get some levers and have a go , it's a bit of a black art but once you get the hang of it it's easy , Don't get to good or quick at it though as it's a curse and you end up changing them for all your freinds as well .

Thanks for all your help and encouragement, I have bought the following:-
1. decent tyre levers
2. tyre soap - the proper stuff!
3. a good supply of large plasters and a machine that automatically 'Bleeps' when my language gets HOT

Cheers once again!

Andrew

email (option): andrew.tizzard@asarchaeology.com

Andrew
Take a cup of tea into your garage, put the radio on, take your time, clean the rust of the inside of the wheel rim, and enjoy yourself doing a better job than a garage would have charged you for.

I like the cut down levers in the pictures, I've often shorten tools so they fit into the tool box, better that than leaving them at home!

email (option): richard177smith@btinternet.com