Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: RayB on March 21, 2016, 11:00:12 AM
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Have any of you had the experience of ordering tires online and then discovering the manufacture date makes the tire one year old when you receive them?
Getting ready to order some new tires and was wondering if any of the online sources are any better or worse on this issue.
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I order online all of the time. Never look at the date code. Then sit it on a shelf to age for a few months. Then put it on the bike for many months. If a front, maybe a year or two even.
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Online low price tire vendors quite often sell old out dated or "seconds" that they buy in huge lots. Not all, but most. Tires are something I would strongly urge people to buy locally.
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I stopped ordering from Motorcycle-Superstore for just that reason - 4 year old tires being delivered. Fortunately, the UPS driver waited while I checked the dates and once it was determined they were too old, simply sent them back. Unfortunately, the replacements they sent were just as old. :angry:
I've never received any tire more than one year old from American Motorcycle Tire. :thumb:
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/
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I get mine local. I like to support a local 1 man bike shop here in town. The tires are about the same $$ and he makes sure they aren't a year old or blems.
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If a tire is delivered and it's made a couple years ago or less, I'm fine with it. I don't believe they degrade that quickly, especially if they're not stored in sunlight. Four years is a bit much though.
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I don't trust my local mc shops to touch anything on my bikes let alone wheels and tires. My gripe is if I order tires and they are 1 year old, I've given away 20 percent of their life .....I don't put that many miles per year on my Guzzi to wear them out quickly....
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I have had very good results with tires through Leather Up.
Disclaimer: I have only purchased Shinkos through them, however, they were just a few months old, free shipping, quick delivery and cheaper than everyone else. Last time I bought tires, I realized I had X number of points or what ever, added them in and my tire was almost free.
I try to support my local, but I do my own tires.....just cuz.
kjf
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I order my tires from American Motorcycle Tire and have never gotten a tire older than two years.
I don't expect tires to live five years on any of my bikes, so getting the occasional 2 year old tire is no biggie.
Usually, the tires are 6 months to 1 year old. But, it can depend upon the make/model/size of tire. Some tires turn over quicker than others, and new release tires just aren't going to be very old. The last set of new tires I bought were Bridgestone T30s and they were only a couple months old.
The dealers can suffer the same problem as online retailers. They may order you a set of tires and they come in with old dates. You'll be in the same pickle, if you must have tires hot out of the mold.
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I buy local from a Yamaha dealer, they are great folks that have helped me and the tires are not much more and are first quality.
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I stopped ordering from Motorcycle-Superstore for just that reason - 4 year old tires being delivered. Fortunately, the UPS driver waited while I checked the dates and once it was determined they were too old, simply sent them back. Unfortunately, the replacements they sent were just as old. :angry:
Never had that problem with them and I use their "preferred installer" program to ship them to the local shop nearby. My advantage I guess would be that I'm buying pretty mainstream stuff with Michelin Pilot Activs in fairly common sizes.
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I would buy local, if the dealers were anywhere close to competitive on price. When the difference is $50, or more, per tire, it's hard to do. On Michelin and Metzeler tires, it's been as high as $100 per tire difference. Crazy.
When I was using Dunlops on my V11 LeMans, I used the local KawaYamaZuki big box store. They were a Gold level dealer for Parts Unlimited, and were very competitive on price for the RoadSmart tires I was using a few years ago.
American Motorcycle Tire has been good to me, so I'll continue to use them if or until things change locally, here in The Hills.
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Buying tires at your local dealer is all well and good if they stock the sizes you need. All of the local mega-dealers around here stock nothing but the "popular" sizes and would have to order what I want. Usually at a 50% higher cost. I'm all for supporting dealers, but my customers would not be too happy... :thewife:
Never had that problem with them and I use their "preferred installer" program to ship them to the local shop nearby. My advantage I guess would be that I'm buying pretty mainstream stuff with Michelin Pilot Activs in fairly common sizes.
This was for my brother's Aprilia Pegaso - we chose a tire brand that is very popular and the size is shared with many other medium sized "adventure bikes" - so pretty mainstream and there was no excuse for sending four year old tires twice.
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I've personally never had an issue w/ MC superstore sending older tires in the 150 or so I or my friends have bough for me to install. Like Charlie local shops around my area charge excessively for tires and also for changing them. That is why I bought a tire machine and buy tires online. Within changing 4 tires the money saved over local shops had my MoMar paid for.
To the OP if you are getting tires with a date code 1 year or less that is more than acceptable.
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I also buy from American Motorcycle Tire and I prefer to install them myself as I got tired of having the local dealer scrape up my rims. I can do that myself without paying them to do the same thing.
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I stopped ordering from Motorcycle-Superstore for just that reason - 4 year old tires being delivered. Fortunately, the UPS driver waited while I checked the dates and once it was determined they were too old, simply sent them back. Unfortunately, the replacements they sent were just as old. :angry:
I've never received any tire more than one year old from American Motorcycle Tire. :thumb:
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/
Ditto, I have been buying from American Motorcycle Tires for several year and have always been happy with their service, prices and tires.
Bob
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Yes, I have received 1 year old tires, but I ride almost daily here in So. Cal. so I use them up frequently.
Not sure, but shouldn't they be good for 10 years?
I'm thinking the the environment that they're stored in can also make a difference in life span of the rubber.
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The online retailer IS my local tire store-whomever they may be. Need parts? Parts store is as local as my computer. It is a brave new world.
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I think the size and brand matters a lot. If you want a tire size or model that's rarely used you're more likely to get old stock Vs. a popular size/brand. That being said, I had good luck ordering from Revzilla last set, before that I got 2 year old tires from some other place (can't remember where) in the same size.
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I suppose with an online retailer that has decent customer service, you could call and ask what date code the tires you want have stamped on them, and place the order if you're happy with those dates.
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Interesting article from Continental concerning tire shelf life. They do better in storage than mounted but there still is deterioration.
http://www.conti-bike.co.uk/tyre-tech-talk/tyre-shelf-life/
Prior to last year I was riding 8-10k on my EVT per year. Last year I only did about 3k due to distractions, and with the addition of the Griso this year I'll probably split my regular 8-10k between the two bikes. My EVT tires are a year old so they could easily stay on the bike for this season and maybe next.
Given a 3 year usage I doubt I would accept a tire that was more than 2 years old for that bike. Griso tires won't make it that long!
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No date problems and quick delivery from Chaparrel. Used them a couple of times, lately.
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I've had surprising good luck with buying from Rocky Mountain ATV, and I didn't expect them to carry the lineup that they do for street tires. I bought three sets last summer - Michelin Pilot Road 3's and 4's, and Pilot Powers for the VFR. The oldest was 18 months, so I was pretty happy. If you call them they will tell you how many they have in stock too, though not sure that helps for age. They were the best price at the time as well.
I'm sure as mentioned above, it matters what brand/model as to turnover. I thought MCN said you should expect less than two years old, but that's from poor memory. I can't imagine any online seller of any significant size providing the tire stamp date, but if they do, I'd consider buying from them even at a higher price.
I too made use of the 'preferred provider' listing at Motorcycle Superstore, and it worked out very well. Prices vary widely though, and the price I paid once at the shop was less than shown online. Good place to start looking though.....Toukow
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I buy a lot of tires thru motorcycle super store. never had any over 1.5 years old. most of the time they are within a year. Also love the free shipping and I get them with in a day 2 at the most
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Tires? I'm ready for a new set. I'll be getting another set of Michelin Pilot Actives :thumb:
(http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag65/guzzistajohn/lm3notires%20002_zpsxyzqyhmb.jpg) (http://s1299.photobucket.com/user/guzzistajohn/media/lm3notires%20002_zpsxyzqyhmb.jpg.html)
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I've had surprising good luck with buying from Rocky Mountain ATV, and ...
:1: I never received an old tire and their price is the best. I had been buying from Rider's Hill as they were quite competitive, but since they're gone, I'll be checking back in with Rocky Mtn ATV.
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I had an interesting conversation with a fellow that worked for Michelin tires for some time.
Part of our talk was to tire dating and as to how long a tire was good for after said date..
He stated that storage was key , dark and cool is best but dark was necessary over all as U V is a major factor that breaks down tires that are not being used. That being said 4 years is not an issue, but then again it depends on the mfg and the compound that was developed .Generally a sport touring tire has a longer lifespan stored or on a bike than a more performance based tire .
he also said that a stored tire deteriorates from the outside first , just like when they are being used (tread wear) obviously..
A good way to freshen a stored tire or even tires that have sat over the winter on your bike is to sand them, yep sand them he said...with sand paper 100grit garnet ...hand sanding any part of the tire that would hit the pavement, with more emphasis given to the edges , this ..light.. sanding removes any affected outer skin and opens up the tire to what it was more like when new .
He seemed to me to be a up rite kinda guy and we talked of heat cycles and air pressure as well so....
Have i done it ..yep on my old Kawasaki Z1 , I do not ride the bike all that much and the tires are 5 years old and of good tread depth so i clean them up once a year and ride ..
makes sense to me but any other opinions would be welcome.
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I go with local shop. They can generally meet most mail order deals I've found including the site listed here.
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I had an interesting conversation with a fellow that worked for Michelin tires for some time.
Part of our talk was to tire dating and as to how long a tire was good for after said date..
He stated that storage was key , dark and cool is best but dark was necessary over all as U V is a major factor that breaks down tires that are not being used. That being said 4 years is not an issue, but then again it depends on the mfg and the compound that was developed .Generally a sport touring tire has a longer lifespan stored or on a bike than a more performance based tire .
he also said that a stored tire deteriorates from the outside first , just like when they are being used (tread wear) obviously..
A good way to freshen a stored tire or even tires that have sat over the winter on your bike is to sand them, yep sand them he said...with sand paper 100grit garnet ...hand sanding any part of the tire that would hit the pavement, with more emphasis given to the edges , this ..light.. sanding removes any affected outer skin and opens up the tire to what it was more like when new .
He seemed to me to be a up rite kinda guy and we talked of heat cycles and air pressure as well so....
Have i done it ..yep on my old Kawasaki Z1 , I do not ride the bike all that much and the tires are 5 years old and of good tread depth so i clean them up once a year and ride ..
makes sense to me but any other opinions would be welcome.
Interesting :thumb:
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I go with local shop. They can generally meet most mail order deals I've found including the site listed here.
I was just doing some online shopping........... .....true dat.
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I've bought mine from Revzilla and never got a tire more than 2yrs old. That was a Pirelli. The Shinkos I get are never more than a year old.
Popular size a difference? Don't know. Mine are the 16" wheels so I think they are probably less popular than most.
Really doesn't matter much to me as a tire will not last a full year for me.
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I do not mount my own tires. I buy from a local Honda/Kaw dealer. Just a bit higher in price usually but mounts and balances for $15 a wheel! Plus I really try to support local dealers of all sort to what extent that I can.
GliderJohn
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If some of you are ordering tires online, where do you take them to be mounted and balanced ? Do they charge more to mount and balance for tires that weren't purchased there ? As a business owner I can see how this scenario might be awkward.
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If some of you are ordering tires online, where do you take them to be mounted and balanced ? Do they charge more to mount and balance for tires that weren't purchased there ? As a business owner I can see how this scenario might be awkward.
There are three parts to a dealership: Sales. Parts. Service.
Sure, some dealerships might turn away easy money for the service department because the parts department didn't make any.
Anyway, I have either the local Honda store, or the local BMW dealer mount mine. Been doing it that way for years.
Just call up your local shop and ask for the carry in rate. Don't ask them to pull the wheels off the bike. Most dealers will balk at that, not having ever seen a Guzzi before.
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Well, I ordered my tires online from Bike Bandit. They were delivered from Western Motorsports near Ft. Wayne got here 2 days after ordering. The tires were manufactured 5 months ago...not too bad.
Lowest price around to walk in with wheels and tires and get them mounted and balanced was $55 per wheel.
As planned, l'll be mounting them myself.
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I've never received any tire more than one year old from American Motorcycle Tire. :thumb:
http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/
I just bought a pair of Bridestone BT45s for the Ninja 250 from them. They had the best price I could find of any place that had both sizes in stock so I could make the free shipping minimum. I'll post the date codes when they get here.
Just for reference, the bike has a Kenda on the front now, and it always skids, rather than doing a "stoppie". I expect that bike will do a stoppie with BT45s. I had my daughter practice some extreme stops Saturday, and when I saw what was happening, I decided to put known good tires on it.
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There are three parts to a dealership: Sales. Parts. Service.
Sure, some dealerships might turn away easy money for the service department because the parts department didn't make any.
Anyway, I have either the local Honda store, or the local BMW dealer mount mine. Been doing it that way for years.
Just call up your local shop and ask for the carry in rate. Don't ask them to pull the wheels off the bike. Most dealers will balk at that, not having ever seen a Guzzi before.
Thanks for the tip, I'll give this a try next time --
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If some of you are ordering tires online, where do you take them to be mounted and balanced ? Do they charge more to mount and balance for tires that weren't purchased there ? As a business owner I can see how this scenario might be awkward.
Motorcycle Superstore has a list of preferred installers on the website. You can put in your information to see who is near you:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/preferredinstaller.aspx
Once you choose a dealer you can click the link for "more information" and it will show you the various rates that they charge. If you don't want to use Motorcycle Superstore (opinions above varied) I'm sure you could contact them to see if it would be the same pricing from another tire supplier. I use this setup to have the tires direct shipped to the dealer near me. He contacts me when they arrive and then schedules for me a ride in/ride out appointment. Pretty easy.
Alternatively when I lived at a prior address I would just call the dealer, he would order the tires (Dennis Kirk), and then he would schedule the appointment. I paid less in labor but more for the tire plus he charged sales tax on the tire. I know I'm supposed to pay that on online orders but....
You can save money by carrying in your wheels but I like having my tires mounted for me while I drink coffee, bs, and look at all the pretty helmets, accessories and stuff.
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All good as long as the bike shop is still there when you need it !
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If some of you are ordering tires online, where do you take them to be mounted and balanced ?
I take them to my basement and use the NoMar. Best thing is I work for beer.
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This thread got me wondering about the three tires I just got from Motorcycle Superstore (online). Two Shinko 705s; date code 4915 and 0116, and one Michelin Pilot Active date code 4815. In other words, probably newer than what my dealer would have in stock......if I had a dealer.
Peter Y.
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If some of you are ordering tires online, where do you take them to be mounted and balanced ? Do they charge more to mount and balance for tires that weren't purchased there ? As a business owner I can see how this scenario might be awkward.
I do my own.
Many dealers have the 'B team' people doing tires. They seldom know what they are doing, or care, and often screw it up. I got tired of that and started doing my own.
Plus I suspect that buying online and mounting my own saves me over $300 a year.
I have a simple Harbor Freight changer in the garage. Or I just change them on the side of the road when traveling.
(http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee208/worwig/publicshare/20130804_162656.jpg)
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And that contraption next to your wheel on the ground is? (assuming a bead breaker but is it home made?)
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If that's not the exact one I've seen similar. Aerostitch sells them.
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And that contraption next to your wheel on the ground is? (assuming a bead breaker but is it home made?)
That is a Pro Lev'r Tire Wizard, I think it was called. I used it for many years to change tires, and now I carry it in the trailer.
It breaks the bead, pushes the tire off of the rim. Pries and then pushes the new tire on the rim. It even came with a rim lock.
Sadly they went out of business. I wish someone at a machine shop would make them again.
I got mine. Nobody is getting it. :boozing:
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Many dealers have the 'B team' people doing tires. They seldom know what they are doing, or care, and often screw it up. I got tired of that and started doing my own.
What Wayne says.
I, too, have a HF, but it *loves* to eat your wheels. I modded it so nothing but Delrin touches the rim. Saw a picture of the Mojo Lever, and modified the HF to work like that. I highly recommend the Mojo lever..
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Yep, I used to let the local shop do mine as well. They were only $35 a wheel. But, one time they let the washer from the valve stem drop off and get between tube and rim. Caused a flat on a day I could not afford the time.
I will get an HF tire changer after I move. Right now it is the old way, c-clamp, irons and a ratchet strap.
I love that little gadget Wayne has. Wayne, could you by chance take some good photos of each of the pieces, with a ruler next to them? I may have to try to make some.
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I too learned to do my own. I have a Cycle Hill tire changer that works well. I started with a HF mini changer but it wasn't really up to the job when mounting some stiff sidewall tires for my scooter. The MP3 scooter I had was the reason I learned to do my own. The model I had comes with a 12" diameter rear wheel and the scooter is pretty heavy so I was getting 2500 miles per tire (this isn't all that unusual per other owners of 12" rear MP3's) and that would only last me 4 months at the most. The final nail was taking my scoot into the dealer for a tire change and getting charged over $250 for the rear wheel change including the cost of the tire. When I went to pick up the bike I found the "C" team guy trying to put my bike back together by looking at another MP3 from the showroom. I had to point out a missing piece laying on the floor and the ride home afterward was nerve wracking and stupid of me to even do since I had zero confidence the job was done correctly. As soon as I got home I took the whole rear wheel off and re-did the assembly at which point I discovered I had been given a low cost Chinese tire instead of the premium German one I had paid for. Got my money back from that and never looked back after researching how to do it myself.
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:1: on http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/ Good prices, quick service and nothing old in my experience.
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I too learned to do my own. I have a Cycle Hill tire changer that works well. I started with a HF mini changer but it wasn't really up to the job when mounting some stiff sidewall tires for my scooter. The MP3 scooter I had was the reason I learned to do my own. The model I had comes with a 12" diameter rear wheel and the scooter is pretty heavy so I was getting 2500 miles per tire (this isn't all that unusual per other owners of 12" rear MP3's) and that would only last me 4 months at the most. The final nail was taking my scoot into the dealer for a tire change and getting charged over $250 for the rear wheel change including the cost of the tire. When I went to pick up the bike I found the "C" team guy trying to put my bike back together by looking at another MP3 from the showroom. I had to point out a missing piece laying on the floor and the ride home afterward was nerve wracking and stupid of me to even do since I had zero confidence the job was done correctly. As soon as I got home I took the whole rear wheel off and re-did the assembly at which point I discovered I had been given a low cost Chinese tire instead of the premium German one I had paid for. Got my money back from that and never looked back after researching how to do it myself.
I didn't know you were a guzzi owner. good to see you over here. I still have my mp3 500 but added a 2013 norge to my barn last year. OAD
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I, too, have a HF, but it *loves* to eat your wheels. I modded it so nothing but Delrin touches the rim. Saw a picture of the Mojo Lever, and modified the HF to work like that. I highly recommend the Mojo lever..
I also have the HF - with the Mojo Lever and Mojo Blocks. I would not use the HF unit without those accessories. Occasionally, I wish I had paid more and got the NoMar tire changer.
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I didn't know you were a guzzi owner. good to see you over here. I still have my mp3 500 but added a 2013 norge to my barn last year. OAD
Hiyas OAD, glad to hear from you. I sold my MP3 in January after 44,000 miles on it. Fun times but it was not getting ridden that much anymore after I retired from work. I have a '13 V7 Stone that I've set up pretty nicely and love it. I'd say I'm in trouble if a nice priced Stelvio shows up around here but I kinda like having only the one bike.
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The last two sets of tires I ordered from a shop here in Arizona turned out to have been ordered on-line by the shop to fill my order.
Two different shops - same internet source. The internet guy's sticker was on all four of the tires.
Mounted them myself and made a simple static balancer in the shop. weights were adhesives in a general kit ordered online as well.
Todd.
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Out in SoCal, I asked Mark Ethridge if he would put tires on the Mighty Scura. He said, "No.. make that Hell no. You can buy tires off the internet cheaper than I can get them." I said, OK, how much would you charge to put tires on that I bring in?" He said, " I'd give you 20 dollars to take them to this guy and have him do it. I *hate* dealing with tires." :grin:
I get them off the net, and take them to Todd Egan where he undercharges me. Even he tries to get me to go somewhere else.
I think that's why you sometimes get a shop's tire monkey. The real mechanics don't want to fool with it.
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I buy my tires from Motorrade in Turner Valley Alberta , these guys know how to service their customers ..
Phone them up pick out your tires... book it in... Ride your bike there on a Saturday or Sunday wait about an hour , have some lunch at their food truck "Moto Burrito" if needed..and ride on ..good work and easy peasy ..
He sells alot of tires because they offer good service and his prices are reasonable ..
you get what you pay for :whip2:
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you get what you pay for
No offense, but not always. I,too, have had installations screwed up by the tire monkey.
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I think that's why you sometimes get a shop's tire monkey. The real mechanics don't want to fool with it.
Right. To pay a good mechanic his rate plus overhead to change a tire would probably mean it would cost $50 to $100 per tire. I once bought new tires for my Dodge van at my local Sears Auto Center. It was near the end of the day, and a lot of the guys had gone home, so the shop manager asked one of their best mechanics to install them. He was obviously irritated, and he intentionally took his time and did an excellent job over the next hour or more, I assumed so that the manager wouldn't ask him to mount tires again. He wire brushed the rim seating areas, cleaned the studs and lubricated the threads, got the balance near perfect, and generally did the job like I would have done it myself. That was the best tire mounting service I ever got. :laugh:
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I think that's why you sometimes get a shop's tire monkey. The real mechanics don't want to fool with it.
Yep, and that makes sense. A good mechanic at a busy shop can serve everyone better by using his skills inside a motor, or whatever.
But I work of beer, so my rates are much better.
BTW: I have the MoJo lever too. For the blocks, I just cleaned the metal ones up with a grinder and glued a layer of PET plastic to them.
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Yep, and that makes sense. A good mechanic at a busy shop can serve everyone better by using his skills inside a motor, or whatever.
But I work of beer, so my rates are much better.
BTW: I have the MoJo lever too. For the blocks, I just cleaned the metal ones up with a grinder and glued a layer of PET plastic to them.
And cigars. Don't forget the cigars!
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Out in SoCal, I asked Mark Ethridge if he would put tires on the Mighty Scura. He said, "No.. make that Hell no. You can buy tires off the internet cheaper than I can get them." I said, OK, how much would you charge to put tires on that I bring in?" He said, " I'd give you 20 dollars to take them to this guy and have him do it. I *hate* dealing with tires." :grin:
Yep, that's Mark :wink: Great guy on the bikes that need work.
Tom
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Out in SoCal, I asked Mark Ethridge if he would put tires on the Mighty Scura. He said, "No.. make that Hell no. You can buy tires off the internet cheaper than I can get them." I said, OK, how much would you charge to put tires on that I bring in?" He said, " I'd give you 20 dollars to take them to this guy and have him do it. I *hate* dealing with tires." :grin:
I used to feel that way too, then my brother found a Coats 200 changer on CL in Asheville, NC and bought it for me. Once I learned how to use it properly, it made changing tires no big deal.
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Tools make the job easier.
I have a friend who is a top mechanic at the local Honda dealer who I use for my tire mounting.
They have a real nice mounting machine and spin balancer. The mounting machine doesn't touch the wheel's rims, and can get the bead over the rim with no effort from the installer. No scratches or scuffs! The spin balancer is fast. He can do both my tires in about 30-minutes while talking to me. At $30 per wheel, that's $120 per hour.
Easy money.
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Easy money.
Sure is, but you have to factor in that really expensive tire machine's cost. If you are doing a lot of tire work, that overhead goes to practically nothing pretty fast, though.
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For me the sticky part of doing my own tires is getting the bead to seat. I've had to resort to wrapping a ratchet strap around the tire to prevent the air from escaping before the bead moves into place. I'm sure I'd have more success if my fill hose had a better adapter on it, I need to order one up some day.
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For me the sticky part of doing my own tires is getting the bead to seat. I've had to resort to wrapping a ratchet strap around the tire to prevent the air from escaping before the bead moves into place. I'm sure I'd have more success if my fill hose had a better adapter on it, I need to order one up some day.
I got one of these to solve there. Not sure where I got it now.
Strap it on the tire. Inflate it. usually solves the problem.
I've never been able to get ratchet straps to help.
(http://dansmc.com/beadexpander.jpg)
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My gut says buy local, even if you pay a little more. These dealers need the "add on's" to make those businesses work. Think about if the dealer is gone, would that matter to you? If yes, then ante up and support your local dealer. If not, then by all means shop price.
It's not the first guy that invented the wheel that should get the credit. It's the guy that invented the second wheel..."
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Someone mentioned that Motorcycle Superstore sold old tires. That isn't always the case. Yesterday I received a new Dunlop tire from them that was manufactured 23 weeks ago, basically new. The price was good and the shipping was free as part of a tire sale they had.
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For me the sticky part of doing my own tires is getting the bead to seat. I've had to resort to wrapping a ratchet strap around the tire to prevent the air from escaping before the bead moves into place. I'm sure I'd have more success if my fill hose had a better adapter on it, I need to order one up some day.
no valve stem and volume is the answer. after the bead pops on both sides then install the valve stem and air to liking. balance on the marc parnes or no-mar stand and you good.
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no valve stem and volume is the answer. after the bead pops on both sides then install the valve stem and air to liking. balance on the marc parnes or no-mar stand and you good.
Yeah I need a inflator that can be used without the valve stem installed. Hard to find one. I have the Marc Parnes balancer.
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You guys mean the valve stem, or the valve itself? I normally unscrew the valve to seat the bead, and I can get it back in without losing too much air, but I can't imagine trying to get a valve stem in after the tire is mounted and seated.
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Jim , I'm sure they mean to say CORE .
Dusty
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If some of you are ordering tires online, where do you take them to be mounted and balanced ? Do they charge more to mount and balance for tires that weren't purchased there ? As a business owner I can see how this scenario might be awkward.
Do it myself. Harbor Fright tire machine, spoons and a Mark Barnes static balancer. I like to do them at my convenience.
But yes, if you are paying to have them mounted you will pay more, some shops mount for free if you buy the tires from them if you carry in the wheels.
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We will match withing a few percent the big online retailers. I can get tires delivered from our jobbers in two days. That way the freshest tires can be obtained. If you purchase tires from us we will mount and balance on most bikes for $35.00 (more on California rear tires).
We will not install tires you bring into the shop.
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We will not install tires you bring into the shop.
Why not ?
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Jim , I'm sure they mean to say CORE .
Dusty
yes , the core itself. my mistake.
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Someone mentioned that Motorcycle Superstore sold old tires.
Not.
I've had very good luck with MCSuperstore. Usually tires appear to be drop-shipped from the distributor. If you have any problem with anything, my experience has been that MCSuperstore will make it good.
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Not.
I've had very good luck with MCSuperstore. Usually tires appear to be drop-shipped from the distributor. If you have any problem with anything, my experience has been that MCSuperstore will make it good.
:1:
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You guys mean the valve stem, or the valve itself? I normally unscrew the valve to seat the bead, and I can get it back in without losing too much air, but I can't imagine trying to get a valve stem in after the tire is mounted and seated.
Yeah the valve core but my air chucks don't work without the core installed so I can't fill the tire as fast as possible.
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Yeah I need a inflator that can be used without the valve stem installed. Hard to find one. I have the Marc Parnes balancer.
Its a clip on the stem chuck to seat without the core installed (best method)
I got mine at a NAPA store and have one with the stud that will hold the core valve down /core installed and the other will only work if the core is removed.
I have a tire changer in SoCal and have over the years done my own tire changes and balancing. Gives you a chance to really look things over for damage and cracks or nicks that need to be filed (rare).
Several years ago I was going thru 6 to 7 tire changes a year so had to do them myself...easy. The equipment is a very good investment if you are keeping 3 bikes on good rubber and ride allot.
:-)
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I also have the HF - with the Mojo Lever and Mojo Blocks. I would not use the HF unit without those accessories. Occasionally, I wish I had paid more and got the NoMar tire changer.
HFT set up w/ mojo blocks and mojo lever work well for me.
I actually went and bought honest to goodness genuine tire lube from NAPA, and man I cannot believe
how much easier it is..... :grin:
Anyway, if anyone is thinking of getting the current HFT motorcycle attachment for the HFT tire changer, take a look at it first.
I left HFT in Dec. 15, but the example we had at the Corporate site didn't have the metal rim eating claw, and there wasn't a drilled hole for use of aftermarket blocks. Not a big thing, but for some maybe......
kjf
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Why not ?
Well because we install cheaply if you buy from us and, like I said we get fresh tire from WPS or Tucker Rocky and we are real close to the big guys prices. Mounting and balancing tires at $35.00 is not really a profit center.
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For me its not the money its the convenience of doing it when you need it. I can change two tires and balanced in less than an hour.
Its at least!! a half of a day and 100 miles + for me to have someone else do it. (At their schedule)
Each to their needs and capabilities. (and enthusiasm)
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Why not ?
Could you bring a steak into a restaurant and ask them to cook it for you just because you got a good price on meat somewhere?
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If my local (Trumph/Ducati) were reliable at it I'd still be having them do my tires, ordering and installing. I could drop off the wheel/wheels on the way to work and pick them up on the way home. But, they became unreliable so I don't anymore.
One other thing that kinda was annoying. I'd ordered the tires from them and left my wheels, told them I wanted the tires installed and balanced. Parts guy said fine. Got a call saying my tires were ready. Got there and they weren't mounted. Turns out the parts guy (who is 20ft from the maint guy) will not schedule maint (or even talk to the maint guy), but, he didn't tell me that. One of the many problems with the ways dealers separate the sales, parts and service departments. Stupid. Yes, I know all the corporate reasons, but, still stupid, stupid, stupid.
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Could you bring a steak into a restaurant and ask them to cook it for you just because you got a good price on meat somewhere?
non sequitur. LOL! :grin:
Many shops accept carry-in wheels & tires for mounting. It's a standard practice in The USA.
I was only asking why your shop chooses to turn away business and easy money.
It's your business, so do what you wish. I was simply asking...
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non sequitur. LOL! :grin:
Many shops accept carry-in wheels & tires for mounting. It's a standard practice in The USA.
I was only asking why your shop chooses to turn away business and easy money.
It's your business, so do what you wish. I was simply asking...
I agree. Done right, there is money to be made. Proper equipment + 15 minutes = $40. I'll take that job every time, but for whatever reason many shops won't. <shrug>
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Quick question :
In the past I had the dealer change my tires. --- This time I took the wheel off myself to bring to the shop.
Do I need to remove the brake rotor off the wheel, or do they work aroud it ??
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No. Don't take the rotor off.
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Quick question :
In the past I had the dealer change my tires. --- This time I took the wheel off myself to bring to the shop.
Do I need to remove the brake rotor off the wheel, or do they work aroud it ??
The rotor typically stays in place.
BUT, it you have a marker handy, draw a large arrow showing the direction of rotation on the rotor. Shops can get that mixed up, particularly when they have a bare wheel. So help them out. And the mark will disappear the first time you use the brakes.
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Neat idea, Wayne.
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The rotor typically stays in place.
BUT, it you have a marker handy, draw a large arrow showing the direction of rotation on the rotor. Shops can get that mixed up, particularly when they have a bare wheel. So help them out. And the mark will disappear the first time you use the brakes.
Thanks for the tip !