zip ties and tyres

[yamaha fj rider]

When I worked at the bike shop and one of us who worked there was replacing a tire we used to burn down the old one until they blew. You half to be careful not to let it get spinning to fast or it will tear up the bike when it goes. If you do it correctly they just pop and don't come apart. This is too much fun.

Kurt 

[Dads_FJ]

Tires wear out that is why we replace them. That is why they have tread wear indicators, so you know when it is time to replace them, if not sooner. New tires are cheaper than falling down.

Kurt

These 'indicators' you speak of... are they the wire things sticking out on the side?

I bet the bike handled like a beauty with that tyre on it. Check the shape of it.

Yea I learned a good lesson with this one... I made it home after the 1500 mile trek, but it handled like shit and I was worried it was going to blow.  The extra 'miles' I got out of it wasn't worth it.

[Capn Ron]

Just wanted to add a bit to this thread.

I changed a Metzeler ME880 front tire a few weeks ago with a No-Mar Classic tire changer.  Pulled the old one off and mounted and balanced a fresh one.  That tire is a brute...I used all the suggested tricks for touring tires from the No-Mar videos and it went pretty well.  I imagined a person would struggle quite a bit using the zip-tie method with this stiff of a tire.

On the other end of the spectrum, I removed and re-mounted a rear Avon Roadrider today with the same No-Mar changer...to find the heavy spot and give it a proper balance.  That Avon has such a light carcass compared to the Metzeler that I nearly could have mounted it by hand!  Popped the first side on and nearly all of the second side without any tools at all.  A quick roll with a mount bar and it was on.  I couldn't believe the difference!

Somewhere closer in stiffness to the Metzelers, are a fresh set of Pirelli Sport Demons I have here in the garage.

Cap'n Ron. . .

[wyraider]

My next thing to figure out to do myself;  I just spent $100 to get two tires mounted today....seems outrageous.

Jeff

$100!!! Holy crap, that's crazy, I just got mine mounted AND balanced for $20.

[wyraider]

Have none of you guys ever heard of tire irons?
I've changed several motorcycle tires and never had to resort to cutting them off.
I put them on the same way!

Leon
^^^^^^WHAT HE SAID^^^^^^ You're killing me smalls haha. It's SUPER easy and cheap to use tire irons, I'm just lucky enough to know a super cool dude that does mine for $20. Bust the bead with a plastic wedge and a hammer if you HAVE to...(we call an 8lb hammer just a hammer in the oil field)

[fintip]

I just go to the shop I used to work at and use the proper machine, hand the owner a tip as thanks.