$54/tire to swap 'em if they weren't bought there! However, it's 2 miles from my work so I'll suffer through this one. There goes the savings of buying them online.

Just dropped them off....hopefully have 'em back on the bike tonight!

And now for tonight's project: polishing the Scotts! That's right folks, I bought the whole polishing kit with my Dremel, so tonight I end the 'gold' life of my brand new Scotts damper. :biggrin I'm not sure how far I'll take it...whether just silver or polished to a chrome finish. We shall see!

[cRa1g]

JC,

We've got to find an alternative to the tire conspirators! These mounting / balancing costs are ridiculous!

There's a place near Springfield that will put on a tire not bought there for $25 - pretty good. However, I'd like to learn how to do this myself once and for all and be able to do it conveniently at any time I want to - and save money too.

My primary concern is the balancing process. Let's discuss options to learn this one...this is my Any day is fine for me, and any time SOME weekend (probably next weekend - the 28th) I will be picking up my NEW bike - the Honda VTX, but any other time would be Ok.

JC, you NEED to get a 2nd bike for times like this! hehe..

Mike

[Stoneman]

Balancing a m/c tire is not at all difficult! I've seen folks use two jack stands to do this on their workbenches at the race track (Paul Gilbert)...

I think you're better off using the center mounted clip-type wieghts. But all you do is put the axle on the jack stands and let the wheel rotate. Then I believe you just put the weight on the opposite side of the tire that rests at the low point....

Does that make sense??

BTW-There's a place not far from me that charges $20.00 per tire if you bring 'em the wheel. And he ENCOURAGES you to buy the tires online!! Same day service too!!

I hear ya....but if I drive all the way up there, it kinda defeats any benefit of ordering online. I'm definately going to work out some sort of do-it-yerfeckinself method soon!

[R7]

My local dealer charges $18 per wheel if i carry them in. For 1 or 2 tire changes a year, i can't see it being worth the time, money and agrivation of changing them yourself , even if the cost were $25-$30 each
thats just my .02 tho

[Stoneman]

Yeah, but if you drive up here at least we can 'take the edge off'. Christ, you're up here enough anyway!!

I'm gonna talk to Gilbert at the next race weekend & see what it'll take to outfit myself with the shit required to do this.

Then maybe, just maybe I'll do it real cheap for NESR members.....

Sweeeet!! I'm picking up some irons and rim savers either way...when I get the new wheels I'll use them to practice.

[Stoneman]

I know Paul suggests using "double everything". That is, the more irons & savers you have, the better. This is really something I wanna start looking into now....

[cRa1g]

Guys,

When we get set up on this, it might be good to coordinate having several members do tire changes at once (as best we can). I'll contribute to the tools etc. in order to get this started. Let's give it a shot!

I'm going to order some shit up right now...prolly 4 irons and a mess of rim savers. Then I'll just need some C clamps from home depot (to break the bead) and a few jack stands from the auto parts shop. This really shouldn't be all that difficult....and I'll have some wheels next week to practice on! Shit, I shoulda saved my old tires when I had 'em changed yesterday.

[cRa1g]

JC,

Let me know when a good time would be to test the process, and I'll come up to help you out.

I have two Pilot 190 rears, and a 120 front for the R1 in the garage as we speak, and I'm about to order another package (2 rears / 1 front) for the 996 as well. I'll need to know how to do this soon...so I'll help you out and be an extra set of hands if you would like...

[Edited on 7/18/01 by cRa1g]

Guys, I just ordered 4 tire irons and 8 rim savers....that should get us started! I'll pick up some C clamps and jack stands soon...and then it's...uh...tire changin' time?

[Stoneman]

You fuckin' crazy bastiches!! Don't forget, you need weights too!! The ones that clip on to the center of the wheel work best, and you'll need an assortment of weights....

I HATE the stick-on types that leave goo all over the wheel!!

heheh...oh yea! I gotta order some o' those too..hehe..know where I can find the clip-on type?

[R7]

Hmmm, bring these tools to the bikeweek par tay, it could make for some interesting burnouts!!!

[cRa1g]

JC,

Let me know when you are going to do the first round - I'll help you out. Also, I'll kick in for some of the materials / tools...

[Stoneman]

heheh...oh yea! I gotta order some o' those too..hehe..know where I can find the clip-on type?

I'd say at the race track. I'll throw something on the mail list & ask Gilbert...

I'd say at the race track. I'll throw something on the mail list & ask Gilbert...

I've got two boxes of the stick-on kind....so that'll get us going (I don't have any issues with the stick-onz) if we can't find the clipons.