Tires

[Moparnut72]

I changed tires on my V7 this weekend. The job about killed me. I did the front tire first as I thought it would be the easiest, not. The beads refused to be broken. My homemade bead breaker has a 6' handle and even with all my weight on it both sides refused to let go. I kept working it around and they finally let go. The tire was so stiff I had to use c clamps to get the beads into the center drop. The replacement Avons fought me back and I still had to use the c clamps. Then on to the rear. I was able to get the wheel out easily enough and the actual tire change was a breeze. Putting it back on wasn't so easy. I discovered the reason it came off so easily was that the rubber cushions fell out making more room. Going back on the problem was that even moving the shock out of the way as best I could it was hitting the tire not giving me enough room to get rubber cushions past the spines. The reason was that the luggage mounts weren't allowing me enough room to move the shock far enough out of the way. But I soldiered on and finally got it all to work. Then due to other issues I wasn't able to try out the new tires. Which was disappointing as I put a different size tire on the front in hopes of eliminating the Sport Demon wanting to follow every groove in the roadway. I went from 100-90-18 to a 110-80-18. I did this same change on my Triumph T120 as recommended by a lot of guys on a Triumph forum. I made a big difference, I am hoping for the same result on my V7. The weather is supposed to deteriorate so it may be a few days before I can take it out for a spin.

[Dirk_S]

More often than not, my tire changes are fairly straight forward, but occasionally i get hung up similarly. In the past I’ve had trouble removing really stubborn, old tires, but the past couple times have gone much easier, I think because I made sure to liberally use that tire snot (or whatever lubricant you choose) AND work the tire irons all around the circumference. If you get enough of the lube into enough of the bead crevices around the circumference, the bead seems inevitable to break.

About the rear shock - did you try pulling it up and tying it to the frame/pannier rack? I’ve done that in the past whenever I didn’t simply slip it out to the side.

Grease really is our best friend with those cush rubbers. If not using grease to stick those rubbers inside the hub, it can become such a back-and-forth chore.

[Moparnut72]

Exactly what I did. Held up to the case rack with zip ties. The original tires have been on the bike since new, 2019 Special.
kk

[kingoffleece]

Avons have very stiff beads.  We put them in the sun for a few hours.  No sun?  heat gun.

[bad Chad]

I have paid someone to do my tires since the time I was old enough to have even a shitty job.  But more power to you boys!

[guzziart]

I have paid someone to do my tires since the time I was old enough to have even a shitty job.  But more power to you boys!

Yeah, I hear ya! 
My thing is that the bike usually needs other routine maintenance when the wheels are off and this gives me the opportunity to perform that work.  Plus, doing the tires myself allows me to schedule bike downtime that best suits me.  However, a problem is that other acquaintances are aware of my ability and request my time.  Up until now I didn't mind but age is getting to me (strength, eyesight, etc) and more recently my wife is concerned about our liablility should something. that my hands were on, results in an accident for someone else. I'd hate a lawsuit
because I tried to help someone.  FWIW, I do not charge for my time or accept any gratuity. The last tire work I did for an acquaintance was very troublesome because pistons in one of the front brake calipers was hanging up in the bore and the rear drive (big seal) was leaking .  Until about a decade ago I had access to a pneumatic changer so I was used to doing my tires, afterward I'd take my wheels in for tires but it was a hassle. I bought a nomar a while back, have done about 20 or so tires on it and figure it has about paid for itself in convenience and overall cost associateed with tire changes on my stuff.  Oh well, not too far off topic am I?
Art

[Moparnut72]

Avons have very stiff beads.  We put them in the sun for a few hours.  No sun?  heat gun.

Haven't had any sun here for awhile. Atmospheric River going through. I propped them up in front of the pellet stove. The old Sport Demons were the worst. The Avons were quite stiff but the Pirellis were worse and I am sure age helped with that. They were the factory originals on the 2019 Special, I didn't check the date codes but I will check when I get back out to the shop. An interesting thing was that I ordered the tires from American Moto Tires but they had Drag Specialties stickers on them. Drag Specialties was one of the sites I checked when I was shopping for tires, their prices were almost $100 more per tire.
Another thought, I have also wondered why every bump is felt on bikes now than on bikes in the past. It is obvious that is because tires are so much stiffer than those when I first started riding. However I wouldn't change anything as I feel much safer on today's tires due to more puncture resistance.
kk

[Moparnut72]

I built my own tire changing stand which I can anchor to the floor. I should get a duckhead (correct term?) to make the job quicker and easier. I also built a balancer using the cones from my pitch gauge for outboard propellers. I have an independent bike repair shop just a stone's throw away that is very reasonable. I just enjoy doing things myself and I am the typical MG cheapskate. I will have him do my Mandello tires though as I don't want to take the slightest chance of scratching the gold wheels. The V7 is my knock around bike so a scratch or two doesn't bother me. Even baths aren't real common for the poor thing.
kk

[9fingers]

Haven't had any sun here for awhile. Atmospheric River going through. I propped them up in front of the pellet stove. The old Sport Demons were the worst. The Avons were quite stiff but the Pirellis were worse and I am sure age helped with that. They were the factory originals on the 2019 Special, I didn't check the date codes but I will check when I get back out to the shop. An interesting thing was that I ordered the tires from American Moto Tires but they had Drag Specialties stickers on them. Drag Specialties was one of the sites I checked when I was shopping for tires, their prices were almost $100 more per tire.
Another thought, I have also wondered why every bump is felt on bikes now than on bikes in the past. It is obvious that is because tires are so much stiffer than those when I first started riding. However I wouldn't change anything as I feel much safer on today's tires due to more puncture resistance.
kk

What model Avon tire did you go to? Are they radial tires? Radials have much softer sidewalls and much better ride quality than corded tires. The difference is substantial. I think I am going for the Dunlop Mutant tires for my V7 Corsa, as soon as I wear out the stock Michelins, which are really quite good. Looks like the rear might go to 8k at least and I am at 5,300 after 5 months. The front might last longer than me! But I am eager to try the Mutants.

[Moparnut72]

I kind of wanted to go with radials but very limited selections. The ones that were available were quite expensive or not available. I really don't need radials anyway as the V7 is just a knock around town bike. I found that in stock tires of any type were very limited. I wonder if manufacturers reduce production for the winter months. It was amazing to me as to how many tires were out of stock. As I said I had to mix models, I put a Spirit on the front and a Road Rider on the rear. It is hard to tell that they are not a matched pair. I still haven't had a chance to ride it due to monsoon weather. I spent yesterday fabricating a funky windshield for winter protection as I ride all year weather permitting.
kk

[Bulldog9]

This is one area I have never attempted to delve into. First time was last year when I put new tires on the 750 Breva. A buddy had just gotten a machine for his shop, and we put the tires on with some help. After my flat tire incident on the Stornello last month, I think over the winter I am going to try to pull the Shinko 705's and do the outex kit on its rims, and try to reinstall the tires, but my confidence level is low.

I dont even like or trust my abilities with bicycle tires  Funny. I have no hesitation for anything else, mechanical or electrical, but tires just aren't my jam. Gonna give it a go though.

[Moparnut72]

There are some good videos on utube. However they usually use some flimsy tires which makes it look easy. My experiences have been all over the board. The one that gave me all the trouble was the narrow front. Getting the old one off was the worst of it. I just checked the date code on it and it was manufactured in 2017 and on my 2019 V7. So it was two years old before it was even mounted. Also being a fairly narrow wheel the center drop was quite small making it more difficult.  The rear is larger, a 130, it was a piece of cake. I had an awful time getting the wheel back on but that was my fault, mainly stupidity.
kk

[Perazzimx14]

New tires are supposed to arrive tomorrow for the latest acquisition. Once again, the trusty NoMar will be called upon to assist. Two tires soup to nuts should take about 45 minutes working at a casual pace.

[Moparnut72]

I took a very short ride today to the post office and a couple of grocery stores. I had to cool it as the roads were wet and very light showers so no road holding tests yet. Tires are too new but I did ride on seams and grooves and there was no following those encountered which was really what I was looking for. The Sport Demon was awful in this regard. They also rode pretty smoothly but new tires do that.
kk

[70Ambo21V7]

I used Simple Green to help break the bead loose and to lube the new Mutants going on. Made life a whole lot easier than changing them dry. Windex was suggested in a YouTube video I watched but I think Simple Green is a little slicker.
Changed both tires using Motion Pro BeadPro FS Tire Bead Breaker and Lever Tool Set. Wasn't bad when I got the hang of it.
Mutants handle great on my V7 850, compared to the original Dunlops. 150/60 rear, 110/80 front. The rear seems pretty short lived, at 5000 miles its showing significant wear. I like the Mutants enough that I have another rear tire ready to mount up but may look for something longer lifed next time around.

[9fingers]

I don't do my own tires as I have an independent shop 4 miles away and he only charges $35. I HAVE done it on my V STrom and vowed to never do it again. I did help a guy break the bead on his Royal Enfield wheel and we used my bench vise, and it did the trick nicely. BTW, on the subject of Dunlop Mutant tires, they have finally started importing the 150/70 x 17 that they have had in Europe for a while. Revzilla/Cycle Gear have them. I am also going with these as soon as the stock Michelins wear out on my V7 Corsa. At 5,400 miles they look to have at least 3k left on the rear and probably the front won't be gone till 12 or 13K. I did about 1,000 per month this year so Dunlops soon! And as I wrote this the UPS man brought Christmas early.....a set of Matris damper rods and springs for the front! I have Mistral pipes coming in December so I will report back on the effectiveness of these mods.

[Perazzimx14]

I used Simple Green to help break the bead loose and to lube the new Mutants going on. Made life a whole lot easier than changing them dry. Windex was suggested in a YouTube video I watched but I think Simple Green is a little slicker.
Changed both tires using Motion Pro BeadPro FS Tire Bead Breaker and Lever Tool Set. Wasn't bad when I got the hang of it.
Mutants handle great on my V7 850, compared to the original Dunlops. 150/60 rear, 110/80 front. The rear seems pretty short lived, at 5000 miles its showing significant wear. I like the Mutants enough that I have another rear tire ready to mount up but may look for something longer lined next time around.

I cannot imagine changing a tire sans tire lube of any sort. I'm sure if I tired at least one and probably more of a few things would happen:

1. I would give up after an exhaustive attempt.
2. Damage the tire trying to force it over the wheel bead
3. Damage the wheel

While there are a 1000 things you can use for tire lubricant/paste, some okay, others like Simple Green or Window cleaner probably not the best as they contain chemicals like ammonia that can attack aluminium. I have found the best thing to use for tire lube is tire lube manufacturered especially for this purpose. Its not expensive (probably more cost effective than alternatives), doesn't attack the wheel's alloy and is readily avaliable at any auto parts store or Amazon. After well over 300 tire changes I finally had to invest in another $17 gallon of Ru-Glide a few month back.

[guzziart]

After well over 300 tire changes I finally had to invest in another $17 gallon of Ru-Glide a few month back.

Yeah, I'm on my 1st gl of Ru Glide and won't need more anytime this decade unless I spill whats left in the jug which is about 90% full.  Someone mentioned using Murphy's oil soap to me.  Anyone have any experience with Murphy's oil soap for tire mount/demount lube?  The Rabaconda tire lube appeared to look like Murphy's to me in the video I watched.

[Dirk_S]

I cannot imagine changing a tire sans tire lube of any sort.

I also can’t imagine my life without the BeadPro  style tire levers that work in conjunction with each other. Not so much with tube-type rims, but for the tubeless rims, where tires really stick to the bead, those levers seem almost essential.

[Perazzimx14]

Yeah, I'm on my 1st gl of Ru Glide and won't need more anytime this decade unless I spill whats left in the jug which is about 90% full.  Someone mentioned using Murphy's oil soap to me.  Anyone have any experience with Murphy's oil soap for tire mount/demount lube?  The Rabaconda tire lube appeared to look like Murphy's to me in the video I watched.

Murphys is also makes tire lube.

Gleaned from the internet:

No, Murphy's tire soap and Murphy's oil soap are not the same product, although both are made by the same company; while Murphy's oil soap is designed for cleaning wood surfaces, Murphy's tire soap is specifically formulated for lubricating and mounting tires, meaning it has a different composition and intended use.

[70Ambo21V7]

I cannot imagine changing a tire sans tire lube of any sort. I'm sure if I tired at least one and probably more of a few things would happen:

1. I would give up after an exhaustive attempt.
2. Damage the tire trying to force it over the wheel bead
3. Damage the wheel

While there are a 1000 things you can use for tire lubricant/paste, some okay, others like Simple Green or Window cleaner probably not the best as they contain chemicals like ammonia that can attack aluminium. I have found the best thing to use for tire lube is tire lube manufacturered especially for this purpose. Its not expensive (probably more cost effective than alternatives), doesn't attack the wheel's alloy and is readily avaliable at any auto parts store or Amazon. After well over 300 tire changes I finally had to invest in another $17 gallon of Ru-Glide a few month back.

Checked Simple Green's website, it does say to limit contact with Aluminum to less than 10 minutes. Guess I'll look into some of y'alls suggestions for future tire changes. Thanks!

[Dirk_S]

Checked Simple Green's website, it does say to limit contact with Aluminum to less than 10 minutes. Guess I'll look into some of y'alls suggestions for future tire changes. Thanks!

There’s an aircraft-safe version of Simple Green out there that is safer on aluminum.

I’ve used silicone spray on past couple tire changes, and it works a treat in breaking the bead and reseating. Dries fast enough (supposedly) and is very good for the tube to slide around (supposedly). I dunno, I saw it on the internet. Actually a longtime enduro racer/ADV rider/YouTuber from Down Under named Adam Riemann swears by it.

[Moparnut72]

I keep silicone spray in my shop. I never thought to use it with tire changes. I will try to keep it in mind. It is going to be a while before I change another tire. I won't do my V100 I don't want to take a chance of scratching my gold rims.
kk