How-To "Tip:" For DIY Tire Changers

[flyingzonker]

I suppose that most of us here have our tires replaced professionally. Makes sense but some of us are either too cheap or too independent or too pig headed or masochistic or I don't know what, and for these latter I post this little piece of information.

Before I continue I have to say that even more important than the tip I am about to give is this one: Always use Murphy's Oil Soap to lubricate the rim and edges of the tire.

This morning I changed the front tire that came stock on my 2013 PCX. These tires, IRC, are stiffer than the devil's willy. I struggled and struggled and finally got the tire off. I had had enough for a while so I decided to go out in the car for a while and come back to put the new tire on when I got back. On a whim I took the new tire and rim out into the front yard and left them in the sun, vaguely remembering something from one of the videos I had watched detailing a procedure for tire changing I had seen some time ago on Youtube. The video presenter said emphatically that the temperature of the tire made all the difference. When I came back 2 hours later I found that he was right.

As soon as I put my car away I went over to the tire and found that the rim and tire were hot from sitting 2 hours in direct midday sunlight. So, I started to work. In 10 minutes I had the tire on the rim. It was just as heavily built as the tire I had removed 2 hours earlier but apparently having been sun heated made this tire more elastic.

Take from this what you will, but for me, it was a minor revelation. I will never again change a cold tire. Never, either, will I try to change tires min seasons other than high summer.

[flyingzonker]

I see that I misspelled the title for this post but can't find, for the life of me, any option to edit it. So I will just say the dyi in the title should be diy

[MikeP]

I see that I misspelled the title for this post but can't find, for the life of me, any option to edit it. So I will just say the dyi in the title should be diy

Thats ok, I am dyslexic, so it read perfectly

By the way, thanks for the tip, I am planning on changing my own tires in the near future. Tired of paying high shop fees.

[easyrider]

Heat and expansion is definitely helpful and key, but also using enough screwdrivers or spoons are also helpful by taking little bites each time.. Another point is that nobody will do a scooter tire at last around here and the only place I can find was a HONDA dealer that would do it.. Not even Harley would do it.

[you you]

Heat and expansion is definitely helpful and key, but also using enough screwdrivers or spoons are also helpful by taking little bites each time.. Another point is that nobody will do a scooter tire at last around here and the only place I can find was a HONDA dealer that would do it.. Not even Harley would do it.

Spoons and screwdrivers

[kramnala58]

I see that I misspelled the title for this post but can't find, for the life of me, any option to edit it. So I will just say the dyi in the title should be diy

Us moderators are able to edit the subject line, so I did it for you, no problem.

Thanks for the diy tip. I also moved it to PCX How-To so it should be a little easier to locate at a later date.

[Martin J]

I've always changed my own tyres on everything from a 50cc bws up to a 900 diversion. I find the hardest bit is breaking the bead seal, using a metal wedge and a length of 3x4 as a lever under the car towbar.
After that it's plain sailing, just use plenty of tyre soap to lubricate the bead when refitting.

[joaosol123]

Great tip, planning on using that on my next tire change.

[jburner]

Anyone ever try the zip tie method for changing PCX tires?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9MpgD-xIjg

[Cycleruss]

To really get your new tires warmed up so you can get them on easier.
Place them in a black plastic bag, and put it in the sun.

[you you]

To really get your new tires warmed up so you can get them on easier.
Place them in a black plastic bag, and put it in the sun.

Sun? What's that?

[towdie]

Zip-tie method look really cool..