Ghetto bead breaking

[md86]

http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/bead-breaker/motorcycle-tire-bead-breaker.htm

I believe I'll put this method to work next time I change my tires . I find the hardest part to be breaking the bead , and if this works .....

[StevieB]

From the link:
You can get fancy if you'd like and put a hinge on the longer piece so that the shorter piece hangs down, but I find it more challenging (and easier) to simply hold the shorter piece and put a bit of pressure on it to keep it in place...

More challenging AND easier??? Contradictory terms, aren't they?

Still, I am going to try it. Gotta change a couple of tires...

Perhaps we can turn this into a full-blown DIY tire thread. I am sure there are others, but that does not mean an update is not in order. Given that even Cycle Gear want's $30 to mount and balance a tire THEY SOLD YOU, there is certainly a call for doing it yourself.

So, let's see, the steps required might be listed as:

1. Remove wheel(s) and tire(s) from bike,
2. Break bead of tire,
3. Remove tire from wheel,
4. Mount new tire on wheel,
5. Seal bead,
6. Balance wheel(s) and tire(s),
7. Reinstall wheel(s) and tire(s) on bike.

Just found this on the same site:http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed...ucts/balancer/

And this: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-wheels/balancer/

Using IBEC bearings is a great idea, IMHO. Still, even $105 sound like alot of money.

[md86]

Well , if you get to it before I do , I'd be interested to hear how it works out for ya .

[steves]

I thought the easy way involved one large mexican and a trailer?

[the wind]

a press is soooo much easier.

[md86]

I thought the easy way involved one large mexican and a trailer?

Yes , but I own neither . The one time I popped a bead myself successfully involved my spare tire jack , and the underside of a truck . And that method wouldn't work the next time I tried .
I also don't have a press . LAST time I actually used the forkflit at work , and THAT wouldn't do it ! I bought a ginourmous c-clamp , and THAT wouldn't do it . The last few tires I took to Wal Mart or the local bike shop and they broke the beads for me .

[jgalar]

I use that method. It works great! Very quick and very easy!

I bought a couple of 2x4s for $2 each. Made a frame to fit the rim to protect the discs and cut and used the other to pop the bead.