How to Change Your Motorcycle’s Tires
Changing your motorcycle tires is an important maintenance task you can easily learn to do at home! We’ve put together a handy guide below to help you learn how to change your motorcycle’s tires. If you’re needing to purchase new tires, or even the motorcycle itself, feel free to stop by Horsepower Harley-Davidson in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
When to Change Your Tires
It’s important to know when it’s time to change your tires so you don’t end up with a flat out on the open road. Every few months or so take a good look at your bike’s tread to check that it is still present and effective. If it’s been over 5 or 6 years since you last changed your tires you’ll want to replace them. If you notice your tires going flat regularly you may want to look for punctures and listen for the sound of leaking air. If you find a hole you’re welcome to try and patch it. However, if it’s located on your sidewall this may be a lost cause.
Buying new tires can be pricey, but we encourage you not to go for the cheapest product on the market. You’ll likely have to replace these sooner rather than later, which will cost you more in the long run. Instead, look into purchasing Harley-Davidson® tires which are well known for their durability. There’s also quite a bit of variation on the market and it’s easy to find exactly what you need for your motorcycle!
How to Remove Your Tires
The warmer your tires the easier they will be to manipulate. We encourage leaving the new tires in the sun to warm up and driving your motorcycle for a short period to heat the tires already present. Once this is done you can place your bike on stands or jacks to get started. First, remove the nuts that hold the wheel in place to detach it. Set it on the ground and remove the valve core to allow the tire to deflate.
Once this is done you’ll spray one side of the wheel with a lubricant or glass cleaner, whichever you have on hand. Then take a bead breaker to break the seat between your tire and the rim. Work around the tire till it pops off the shoulder. Then, flip the tire and apply your lube once again before doing the exact same thing on the opposite side. Now that the seal is broken, place down your rim protectors and use your tire irons to pry the tire off the rim. Once this is done on one side of the tire you’ll need to flip and repeat on the other side to remove the tire altogether.
How to Replace Your Tire
Pay close attention to the dot and arrow present on your new tire. The dot indicates where your valve stem should protrude from your tire and the arrow shows which way your tire should turn. This will also need to match the direction of your motorcycle’s wheel. Before placing your new wheel down, lightly lubricate the inside before pushing it down over the rim. One side of the tire is now over the rim, and you want the other side to be pushed into place as well. This can be difficult as your tire will try to jump over the other side of the rim and off your wheel. Place the wheel on the floor and insert your rim protectors and tire irons. Use them, and your knees if possible, to push the tire onto the rim. It should pop into place loudly and this is your sign to reinsert your valve core and inflate your tire to finish.
We hope these instructions have been helpful! If you’re located nearby in South Williamsport or Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania we hope you’ll visit Horsepower Harley-Davidson for all of your motorcycle needs.