Local Shady Tree Tire Changer...... Anyone....?

[Must Ride]

I've tried the dealers (except Excalibur) and I can't get around the poor service (some places) and high prices (other places) so I am hoping you guys can help me out.

I have a few bikes that I like to ride and I usually have to replace a set of tires every year on each of them (dual sport, sport tourer and cruiser).  I had good service at the local Yami shop but I don't wan't to pay $100+ for one tire (I supplied my own tire so was charged more). 

I just had a sport tourer set changed out in Lewistion ID for $80US including $10 for the tire levy but then again his service rate was only $55/hr, now that's a deal!

I'm a complete newb when it comes to mechanical things and should not be allowed anywhere near my bike other than to change the oil and filter.  As such I'd very much like to support a back yard mechanic type with my business and there are a few other folks in my riding group that would do the same (ie: better service and lower price, we supply the tire and they change it out).

We are also looking into purchasing our own tire changer equipment but I thought I would get the group's advice before we go too far down that road.

A couple of years ago I heard there might be a fellow getting back into the tiring changing service out in Pine View, he was also the local distributure for the Dyna Beads, is he in business?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Take care!

[Hans]

Give Russ a call at his shop, he may be able to help you.  562-4815  He is there most days after 11 and before 2. 

[fast1]

   The fellow that was doing cheap tires and dyna-beads (they don't work) passed away. Russ can but is usually busy. Mark at xcaliber cycle can do them reasonably. CHEERS.

[Must Ride]

Hey guys thank you very much for the help!!

Sorry to hear about the Dyna Bead fellow   

Really, they don't work eh, sure enough banter of a positive sort on the different bike forums, what has your experience been with them fast1....?

I'll try out both of your suggestions.

Mucho thankarrow....

[fast1]

    First of all, they are a pain in the ass to work with. "Balancing" is kind of a misnomer. When you balance a wheel and tire/brake/bearing assembly you actually counter-balance it. Static balancing is simply spinning the wheel and seeing where it stops, at bottom dead center is the heaviest part of the assembly. You then want to counterweight the wheel at top dead center. How fast the wheel drops down helps determine how much to add. Then add weight until the wheel can be stopped in any position on the clock and not move. A balancing machine calculates all of this and tells the info electronically much faster, but not better. I have static balanced sport bikes that regularly go over 200 and never had a comeback unless a weight fell off. They do that sometimes at 270. In the old days back yard guys would suspend the bike level, make it freewheel, use bungee cords from the bars to the tail to hold the front wheel straight. Instead of weights they would wrap lead solder around the spokes until harmony was achieved. This still works but I would recommend tape weights. That being said how is a bunch of hard to get through the valve stem balls changing position constantly supposed to accomplish anything?? Just a way to cheap out on balancing CHEERS.

[Must Ride]

Hey there, thanks for the info about the Dyna beads and balancing tires.

I spoke to Xcaliber and they charge 1 hour per tire on the bike for mounting and balancing so $70/tire.

I then went over to Yami and they charge $100 per tire on the bike if you supply your own tire.  $50/tire if you just bring in the wheel and your own replacement tire.

I have not called Russ yet.

So does lunch come with the Yami install....?  I don't think so.   

[Dennis]

I have been doing my own wrenching since 1981, but there were always a few things I avoided, one of which was changing tires.  Last year, for the first time I decided I had to figure it out because I had four tires to change (Chang Jiang, 2 on the bike, 1 on the sidecar, and 1 spare).  Other than viciously burning myself by misguidedly trying to warm the tires up under my radiant garage heater, the process was actually pretty easy.  It did both tires on my flat tracker a few weeks ago no problem.

Watch some YouTube, get a set of irons, borrow the dish soap, and crack a cold one. 

If you can wait a bit, I am going to change a 16" on a mag .... soon but probably not before this weekend.  You are cordially invited to come by and watch.

Peace, Grease & Rubber, Dennis

[Must Ride]

Hi Dennis that's a good news story for sure.

Yeah I've watched my Bandit tires being changed (backyard fellow had a full on tire changing machine) and seen it done on You tube and such and it does look pretty straight forward for regular folk.

I dunno there is just something wrong with me and mechanical things that I tend to get into jobs and inevitably (sp?) something goes sideways, so I 've learned the hard way to stay within my comfort level (ie: oil n filter changes) and leave the other stuff for the more mechanically inclined (thus my shout out for a shady tree bike mechanic last year via this forum).

I am going to commit to changing my Zuk DR350 tires  given they have pretty soft sidewalls and the bike is low tech.

I'm going to let the "experts" put on my new Zuk DL650 rubber for the Dempster ride this June as those tires are super stiff (ie: I can't make them move when I lean down on them off the bike) and I know how hard it is to deal with the bead on regular tubeless tires!  I may get brave and remove the wheels from the bike as long as I can keep track of the order of the parts that fall off!

Thanks again!

[Billy Thunder]

 I changed several tires for the first time this winter. A friend to help was a bonus and an auto rim with a garden hose split open lengthwise and pushed onto the edge was invaluable.