Ingah Posted June 9, 2009 Posted June 9, 2009 I should be able to get the wheel(s) on and off the bike easily enough as it's a CB500 (including centre-stand and alignment marks for the chain for ease).However, once i've got the wheel off, how do you change the tyre properly (incl balancing if beneficial)?I'm aware i can take the loose wheels to a garage and they should do it cheap enough, but i was hoping someone could share with me how/what i'd need to have and do, to DIY the whole thing (as let's face it, motorcycle tyres do need changing quite often relatively speaking!).Also whilst i'm on the topic, where should i try to buy the tyres from to save the pennies, and would it save me money if i buy a set of 2 rear and 1 front rather than 1 each? Going to be using BridgeStone BT45's if it makes any difference. Quote
Pete Posted June 9, 2009 Posted June 9, 2009 I normally go to http://www.blackcircles.com for my tyres. A nice range and not bad prices.To change a tyre there's no easy way to do it yourself I'm afraid. It's one of those things like an MOT that's just best to let a mechanic do. I'm all for carrying out work on my own bike, I don't trust anyone else with it! Oh and I don't like to pay through the nose so a mechanic can sit around having 15 tea breaks and charge me for them...but fitting a tyre will take them all of 5 minutes on the impressive round tyre fitter onner thingy that they have! You can align it yourself though so it's not all bad Quote
Stu Posted June 9, 2009 Posted June 9, 2009 ive changed a fair few tyres and its not easy!!!and it doesnt get easier either!!!!personally i would rather pay someone to do them Quote
Guest philgale Posted June 9, 2009 Posted June 9, 2009 a garage will charge you about 15 quid a wheel to do it. the tools you will need will cost more than that so no point doing it yourselftyres dont need changing that often really, my rear lasts about 5-6k front about 10kso based on that a 2 rear 1 front combo would be good.try busters i got a set of pilot sports for 150 delivered, then had to pay to get them fitted but still worked out much much cheaper Quote
Guest Posted June 9, 2009 Posted June 9, 2009 what you'll pay out for a spindle to balance the wheel on, and tyre-levers, possible damage, (sprockets bite, and discs bend...) its only about £10 fitting and £2 disposal, tyres have to be disposed of properly, so you cant put them out with your rubbish.. if you don't need both, then the amount you'd save is negilable (sp?) buying a pair..what ever you decide, just remember to take it easy for the first 100 miles, Quote
Ingah Posted June 9, 2009 Author Posted June 9, 2009 Guess it'll be a better bet to take those loose wheels to the garage then.Thanks for the black circles tip guys - i'll be ordering from them. It's going to set me back about 210 squid though! (2 rears, 1 front).A couple of things have just occurred to me:How do i support the bike with both wheels off it?Is it safe to ride (even gently!) with 2 brand new tyres, or is it better to do them 100 miles apart (wouldn't have thought that would run them in quite as well though)? Quote
Pete Posted June 9, 2009 Posted June 9, 2009 Guess it'll be a better bet to take those loose wheels to the garage then.Thanks for the black circles tip guys - i'll be ordering from them. It's going to set me back about 210 squid though! (2 rears, 1 front).A couple of things have just occurred to me:How do i support the bike with both wheels off it?Is it safe to ride (even gently!) with 2 brand new tyres, or is it better to do them 100 miles apart (wouldn't have thought that would run them in quite as well though)? Yeah running in two tyres at the same time is fine, as Frankie says just take it easy for the first 100 miles or so. You could use paddock stands to support it...or bricks! Quote
Guest Posted June 10, 2009 Posted June 10, 2009 front and rear paddock stands, to get both wheels off, or take the bike, they will do it for you, doesn't cost extra.. Quote
Guest philgale Posted June 10, 2009 Posted June 10, 2009 running new rubber isnt all bad, all you need to do is get them nice and hot and get them spinning.riding with 2 new ones is no different to 1 new one....i bet if you ride as you normally do you wont push it past what the tyre can do even when new... Quote
Voodoo Posted June 10, 2009 Posted June 10, 2009 take the bike, they will do it for you, doesn't cost extra.. Cost a £10 per wheel if I take my bike in, but £5 per wheel if they're already off the bike Quote
Guest Posted June 10, 2009 Posted June 10, 2009 take the bike, they will do it for you, doesn't cost extra.. Cost a £10 per wheel if I take my bike in, but £5 per wheel if they're already off the bike for the extra tenner, i'd take it in, if i had time etc... but getting some stands will save you money in the long run, as you need them for some /most jobs.. Quote
Voodoo Posted June 10, 2009 Posted June 10, 2009 for the extra tenner, i'd take it in.. Too right, saves getting my hands mucky Quote
Bill_on_a_bike Posted June 10, 2009 Posted June 10, 2009 Running new tyres in atm on the GS, a simular bike to the CB, and I have been gentle when it's been wet, but it hasn't been scarily slippy and all over the place.And don't align your wheels using markers alone, get some string/ a plank and do it properly, see rennies thread on chain care. Quote
Ingah Posted June 11, 2009 Author Posted June 11, 2009 Cheers for the tips all.Have received the tyres now and am going to take the wheels off the bike and ring round to find someone willing to fit and balance the tyres to the loose wheels.One last thing for future reference: What's wrong with replacing just one tyre at a time? (i.e. in about 6K miles the rear will need replacing again, but my front won't...) Quote
Stu Posted June 11, 2009 Posted June 11, 2009 One last thing for future reference: What's wrong with replacing just one tyre at a time? (i.e. in about 6K miles the rear will need replacing again, but my front won't...) nothing!!! you usually get 2 rears to 1 front anyway just replace with a matching rear Quote
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