Next time I change tires I plan on doing it myself.  I know it’s not rocket surgery, but I’ve always just had it done for me at a shop. 

I have a couple of 11” long cheapy Motion Pro tire irons (see photo).  I’d bought them years ago.  They may be of some use, but I’m sure there are preferable options. 

Bearing in mind that cost is of significant importance, what would you guys recommend for tire changing tools.  The Motion Pro bead breakers can be had from Fortnine for about $100 bux, that’s way more than I want to pay.  Suggestions?

There must be some cheap home made options for rim protectors.  Suggestions?

Cheers,
Ross

Lots of inexpensive rim protectors on Amazon.com  (or Aliexpress if you're not in a hurry).

I have a set of tire irons that I bought back in the mid 70's.  Somehow I managed to change tires with them back then, but today there is no way I would be able to do it, especially for a tubeless tire.  So my trusty old tire irons are consigned to changing bicycle tires nowadays.

I bought a Rabaconda tire changer.  Works well but is expensive at $500 plus shipping.  There are cheaper alternatives that would be just as effective I think.  The key is that final six inches to squeeze over the rim.  Tire changers that use a long rod and lever it around the center pole are the way to go. 

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=pittsburgh+portable+tire+changer&hvadid=604664784173&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1001878&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2379766490246527153&hvtargid=kwd-319751470738&hydadcr=27621_14575629&tag=googcana-20&ref=pd_sl_76xh264i20_e

I built this a few years ago, crude but effective.

Rocky mountain dirt bike/atv has some good video's on tire changes. I always change my own tires. If possible put the tire on a black roof for an hour before you start. In the winter I put the tire beside my electric oil heater with a blanket over top, just keep an eye on it so you don't burn your house down. More tire iron the better. I like to have 2-3 already under the rubber and on the rim before the last 8-10" of bead is on. It's more important to focus on the opposite side of the bead that you are working on. Try and get the bead as deep as you can into the center of the rim. Soapy water from a spray bottle on the bead and tire irons. I have a truing stand for building spoke wheels I also use for balancing. Street tires are a breeze compared to motocross knobbies with tubes.

Hopefully my back will feel good enough tomorrow.  I’m plan on doing a 9 day trip starting tomorrow morning.  I’ll likely need a new rear tire by the time my next planned trip in July.  That will be a 16 day trip.  I’ve another 10 trip planned for the end of September.  If the stars align, although it’s not scheduled in, I might do another trip out t Saskatchewan end of August.

I’m not at all happy with the wear on the Metzeler Tourance Next that I have on the bike at the moment.   Could be I’ve been running it with a bit too low air pressure (42psi).  But still.  There’s only 8300km on them.  I reckon not much more than another 3000km and it will be down to the wear bars.  And it has that awful squared off centre section that makes the bike not want to initiate a turn.  I sure love a new rear tire that has a nice round cross section.  The front tire shows hardly any wear. 

10k was about what I get out of a rear.

Ok, so I guess the wear I got out of my Metzeler Tourance Next is within the acceptable range.  It had 10,000km on it.  It was really squared off and handled badly.  It had 1,000 km at most remaining until it would be down to the wear bars.  I decided it wasn’t worth the effort to try to change and balance my tire.  I took it to Bby Kawasaki first thing this morning.  They did it while I waited.  Manny was at the desk.  He said no charge.  Thanks Manny, you’re the best.

The Metzeler certainly would not have lasted through my next trip.  My next trip begins in another week and a half or so.  I reckon we’ll travel over 5,000kms in 15 days.  I’ve reinstalled the original Dunlop rear tire with 7,000kms on it.  Heading southeast.  Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming.  Then probably head north maybe as far as Jasper and loop back.

For what it’s worth, on my KZs, I would get 16000kms out of Avons. 

I used the exact photo'd tire irons last mth in my 1st attempt at replacing petrified phantom 1980's tires with new Avons last mth. Worked by using the attached video (hopefully it links). Used recycled ice cream container lid (cut to size) for rim protectors during installment.

https://youtu.be/nJu_uaEB6qQ.

Ya, I’ve seen this video before.  It’s what really made me want to do my own tires.  But when it came down to it, I guess maybe I’m just lazy.  I don’t have proper spoons or balancing stand.  In any case, I really like to show my face at Burnaby Kawasaki and give them what little business I can.  Everyone there that’s been there a while knows me by name.  I get great service and great deals.  I brought my wheel in first thing this morning.  They did it while I waited and kibitzed with the parts/ service staff.  I periodically bring in a box of doughnuts which they really appreciate.  Today it came back in the form of a free tire mount and balance. 

Now having said that, I may well do the next rear tire myself.  The tire I’ve just had installed has 7,000km on it.  It could well be done by the end of my next trip, especially if (and this is likely) the weather down south is hot. 

My next tire arrived this morning.  A  Dunlop Roadsmart III.  It’s the first tire I’ve ever bought online $200 from Fortnine.  I would not feel right about taking it to Burnaby Kawasaki and asking them to mount it since I didn’t buy it there.  Maybe when it’s time to install it, we could make a demonstration of it for a Sunday coffee meet at someone’s shop. 

Bring it to White Rock I have a No Mar and a balancing stand you can play with no donuts required I'm round enough. 

Anyone is welcome to use the No Mar if you want to do your own mounting and balancing.

Thanks.  I’ll keep it in mind.  Perhaps in August or September.