How to change a dirt bike tire

JThompson · 04-28-2007, 01:22 AM

There are many different methods people use when they are changing a motorcycle tire. Using the right or wrong techniques is the difference between a quick and clean 10 minute job and the worst hour of your life. By using the simple tips and techniques below you will save yourself a lot of nicks and even more grief. The most important part of a changing a motorcycle tire is coming prepared.

Before you even attempt to change a motorcycle tire you have to make sure you are equipped properly. You are going to need a tire iron, a valve stem tool, lubrication, a bead breaker, compressed air, and something to expand the tire bead. Attempting to change a motorcycle tire with the majority of this equipment is going to make the task much more aggravating.

The first step to changing a motorcycle tire is getting that old and useless tire off. First off you should use your valve stem tool to remove all of the air from the tire. Next you are going to use your lubrication; this can be anything from dish soap or silicon spray on lubrication on both of the tire beads. You will also need to use your bead breaking tool to break both of the beads. Using your tire irons you will start removing the tire from the rim. Generally when you are changing a motorcycle tire you should place the tire irons four to seven inches apart.

Next you are going to insert the tube and align it with the approximate position of the valve stem. Once you have the tube in place you are going to need to add a small amount of air to it. This is done for two reasons while changing a motorcycle tire; first to help the tube retain most of it shape and secondly to help protect it from damage caused by the tire changing tools you are using. Lubricate the tire bead using the same type of lubrication you used before to get the old tire off. Next use your breezer tire tool to slowing position the tire bead onto the wheel rim. Use a rotating method so that you are working the opposite beads, one after the other. Now the only step left is to inflate the tire. Using compressed air, or a handheld pump, no stronger than 55 PSI inflate the tire and your changing a motorcycle tire experience is done!

tigmaster · 04-28-2007, 08:45 AM

it sounds so easy. i have only changed 2 tires in my life. one was on my rm80 which i was pretty much able to rip off with my hands. the other not so friendly tire was on my rmz250 which i ended up cutting off with an angle grinder and bolt cutters. took only a few seconds and i had to sacrifice the tube but thats all good because i got my new tire on and threw in a super heavy duty 4mm tube so i never have to worry about a flat again. in my opinion its worth the weight sacrifice to never have a flat again

JThompson · 04-29-2007, 06:45 AM

yes changing tires is a PAIN! I am the king tube pincher

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigmaster

it sounds so easy. i have only changed 2 tires in my life. one was on my rm80 which i was pretty much able to rip off with my hands. the other not so friendly tire was on my rmz250 which i ended up cutting off with an angle grinder and bolt cutters. took only a few seconds and i had to sacrifice the tube but thats all good because i got my new tire on and threw in a super heavy duty 4mm tube so i never have to worry about a flat again. in my opinion its worth the weight sacrifice to never have a flat again

JimmyHoffa · 04-30-2007, 07:12 PM

Well. I've got one to do, so I'll see just how strong I am.

JThompson · 05-01-2007, 09:30 AM

Best of luck. If you have any questions feel free to ask

Wopstar · 05-16-2007, 02:43 PM

Here's my tip for changing tires:

1) Remove tire and wheel assembly from bike
2) Take assembly to nearest bike shop and pay $20 for them to change the tire out!!!
3) Go home, intall assembly and go riding!!!

tigmaster · 05-22-2007, 10:26 AM

ya but that $20 spent on someone working on your bike could have been used for riding or something. money is normally real tight for me and i am forced to do all my own wrenching. however this has paid off lots and i have learned a lot from it.

JThompson · 05-22-2007, 10:33 AM

Wish i could do a mail order tire changing service

. I have to learn to do forks from TRS then I will start mail order forks and shock services.

Wopstar · 05-22-2007, 11:03 AM

I am normally a do-it-yourself kind of guy but the last time I needed a tire it was last minute and I did not want to fool with it (well worth the $20 in this case because $$$ in normally hard to come by in my house--3 kids help that fact out a lot). The next time I do one I think I will make a simple stand. I am thinking of taking a 5 gallon bucket and filling it about 1/3 full with cement and putting a threaded shaft down the middle that comes out of the bucket be about 6" or so. Then I can slide the rim over the shaft and snug the rim down so it doesn't move (just keep it tight enough to hold the rim down but still be able to spin it on the bucket). I think that this will eliminate a lot of the hassle associated with changing tires on your own.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to make this idea better?

tigmaster · 05-23-2007, 10:28 AM

no that sounds like a pretty good idea. so i know this one kid who ended up cutting off his tire to change the tube. i guess he really didnt want to deal with it.

04-28-2007, 01:22 AM	#1 (permalink)
JThompson Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 5,156 iTrader: (6)	How to change a dirt bike tire There are many different methods people use when they are changing a motorcycle tire. Using the right or wrong techniques is the difference between a quick and clean 10 minute job and the worst hour of your life. By using the simple tips and techniques below you will save yourself a lot of nicks and even more grief. The most important part of a changing a motorcycle tire is coming prepared. Before you even attempt to change a motorcycle tire you have to make sure you are equipped properly. You are going to need a tire iron, a valve stem tool, lubrication, a bead breaker, compressed air, and something to expand the tire bead. Attempting to change a motorcycle tire with the majority of this equipment is going to make the task much more aggravating. The first step to changing a motorcycle tire is getting that old and useless tire off. First off you should use your valve stem tool to remove all of the air from the tire. Next you are going to use your lubrication; this can be anything from dish soap or silicon spray on lubrication on both of the tire beads. You will also need to use your bead breaking tool to break both of the beads. Using your tire irons you will start removing the tire from the rim. Generally when you are changing a motorcycle tire you should place the tire irons four to seven inches apart. Next you are going to insert the tube and align it with the approximate position of the valve stem. Once you have the tube in place you are going to need to add a small amount of air to it. This is done for two reasons while changing a motorcycle tire; first to help the tube retain most of it shape and secondly to help protect it from damage caused by the tire changing tools you are using. Lubricate the tire bead using the same type of lubrication you used before to get the old tire off. Next use your breezer tire tool to slowing position the tire bead onto the wheel rim. Use a rotating method so that you are working the opposite beads, one after the other. Now the only step left is to inflate the tire. Using compressed air, or a handheld pump, no stronger than 55 PSI inflate the tire and your changing a motorcycle tire experience is done! __________________ Tired of ads? Become a member for an almost ad free site! Also we give away monthly prizes just for posting! Register today! Looking for places to ride! Want to review a riding area? Check them out! PRE-ORDER MOTOTIPS Stickers now. Help keep mototips running! Get your order in today! Buy NOW! Special Discounts for members only! Check out our new discount forum for retailers offering to help you save money! Mototips Discounts

04-28-2007, 08:45 AM	#2 (permalink)
tigmaster Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri, United States Posts: 7,659 iTrader: (1)	it sounds so easy. i have only changed 2 tires in my life. one was on my rm80 which i was pretty much able to rip off with my hands. the other not so friendly tire was on my rmz250 which i ended up cutting off with an angle grinder and bolt cutters. took only a few seconds and i had to sacrifice the tube but thats all good because i got my new tire on and threw in a super heavy duty 4mm tube so i never have to worry about a flat again. in my opinion its worth the weight sacrifice to never have a flat again __________________ --'03 CRF450r-- --FMF Pipe, Pro-Tech Revavle-- --Vortex Basket With Tusk Disks And HP Springs-- --Pro Taper Triple Clamps And Bars-- --Devol Full SP With Moose HGs-- --Renthal 13/50 With R1 Chain-- --Now It Is The End, Probably...-- --'06 CBR F4I-- --Bone Stock-- Check Our Latest How-To Here

04-30-2007, 07:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
JimmyHoffa C Rider Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: east central MO Posts: 56 iTrader: (0)	Well. I've got one to do, so I'll see just how strong I am. __________________ 2006 Blue YFZ450. AC racing Pro Peg nerfs, AC bumper, Yoshi RS-7 pipe, J&T oil upgrade, Twin Air filter. I've also installed the sexy stickers mod on this bike.

05-01-2007, 09:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
JThompson Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 5,156 iTrader: (6)	Best of luck. If you have any questions feel free to ask __________________ Tired of ads? Become a member for an almost ad free site! Also we give away monthly prizes just for posting! Register today! Looking for places to ride! Want to review a riding area? Check them out! PRE-ORDER MOTOTIPS Stickers now. Help keep mototips running! Get your order in today! Buy NOW! Special Discounts for members only! Check out our new discount forum for retailers offering to help you save money! Mototips Discounts

05-22-2007, 10:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
tigmaster Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri, United States Posts: 7,659 iTrader: (1)	ya but that $20 spent on someone working on your bike could have been used for riding or something. money is normally real tight for me and i am forced to do all my own wrenching. however this has paid off lots and i have learned a lot from it. __________________ --'03 CRF450r-- --FMF Pipe, Pro-Tech Revavle-- --Vortex Basket With Tusk Disks And HP Springs-- --Pro Taper Triple Clamps And Bars-- --Devol Full SP With Moose HGs-- --Renthal 13/50 With R1 Chain-- --Now It Is The End, Probably...-- --'06 CBR F4I-- --Bone Stock-- Check Our Latest How-To Here

05-16-2007, 02:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
Wopstar A Rider Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake Havasu Arizona Posts: 963 iTrader: (0)	Here's my tip for changing tires: 1) Remove tire and wheel assembly from bike 2) Take assembly to nearest bike shop and pay $20 for them to change the tire out!!! 3) Go home, intall assembly and go riding!!!

05-22-2007, 10:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
JThompson Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bellingham WA Posts: 5,156 iTrader: (6)	Wish i could do a mail order tire changing service . I have to learn to do forks from TRS then I will start mail order forks and shock services. __________________ Tired of ads? Become a member for an almost ad free site! Also we give away monthly prizes just for posting! Register today! Looking for places to ride! Want to review a riding area? Check them out! PRE-ORDER MOTOTIPS Stickers now. Help keep mototips running! Get your order in today! Buy NOW! Special Discounts for members only! Check out our new discount forum for retailers offering to help you save money! Mototips Discounts

05-22-2007, 11:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
Wopstar A Rider Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lake Havasu Arizona Posts: 963 iTrader: (0)	I am normally a do-it-yourself kind of guy but the last time I needed a tire it was last minute and I did not want to fool with it (well worth the $20 in this case because $$$ in normally hard to come by in my house--3 kids help that fact out a lot). The next time I do one I think I will make a simple stand. I am thinking of taking a 5 gallon bucket and filling it about 1/3 full with cement and putting a threaded shaft down the middle that comes out of the bucket be about 6" or so. Then I can slide the rim over the shaft and snug the rim down so it doesn't move (just keep it tight enough to hold the rim down but still be able to spin it on the bucket). I think that this will eliminate a lot of the hassle associated with changing tires on your own. Anyone have any suggestions on how to make this idea better?

05-23-2007, 10:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
tigmaster Administrator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Missouri, United States Posts: 7,659 iTrader: (1)	no that sounds like a pretty good idea. so i know this one kid who ended up cutting off his tire to change the tube. i guess he really didnt want to deal with it. __________________ --'03 CRF450r-- --FMF Pipe, Pro-Tech Revavle-- --Vortex Basket With Tusk Disks And HP Springs-- --Pro Taper Triple Clamps And Bars-- --Devol Full SP With Moose HGs-- --Renthal 13/50 With R1 Chain-- --Now It Is The End, Probably...-- --'06 CBR F4I-- --Bone Stock-- Check Our Latest How-To Here

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