I love the smell of new tires in the morning!

[pizzleboy]

JAmesG:  Any way you could post some pics or plans of your homemade rig?

[Blueknyt]

I change my own tires, 2 tire levers, 1 long and 1 short, takes me about 10 mins once the bead is broke. i need a good bead breaker, im tired of using the motorcycle as one.

[Kerry]

JAmesG:  Any way you could post some pics or plans of your homemade rig?

I'm interested in pictures of James' setup, too.  Meanwhile, here is a link that describes a 2x4 bead breaker:
Mounting and Balancing Motorcycle Tires

For the hardcore tire changer or neighborhood cycle club, here's an impressive-sounding balancer:
Rod Neff's Motorcycle Wheel-Tire Balancer.
Be sure to follow the link (at the top) to  Rod Neff's web site.  Looks like Rod is in Santa Monica, CA - so he might "local" to some of you folks!

You may also want to check out his Mini Balancer

[TheGoodGuy]

for my friends harley when the motorcycle shop couldnt isntall the tyre on the front wheel we took it to a car place, and they installed it in.

They took off the tires with the car tire removal thing and then re put it back on.. and inflated it. Problem with his bike tire not installing - not enough pressure from the pump to inflate the tire to install the bead.

[GRU]

i'm gonna have to bring my wheel/tire to my work and try to take the tires off using a car tire machine....i think it's gonna take a little more time but maybe not

[JamesG]

Here is the "plan" I used to build mine.

http://users.net1plus.com/holbrook/tireeqpt.htm

[dgyver]

What about balancing them? Do you have a balancer or do you just align the mark on the tire with the valve stem?

[JamesG]

I have a spin balance jig. Really just a frame made of 2x4 with notches cut in the top to hold the axle. Its not rocket science. Spin the wheel a couple of times and you can find the heavy spot every time.

I usually find the heavy side of the wheel by itself first and then align the "dot" on the tire.  3 times out of 4 that balances the wheel but sometimes I have to add weight.

[JamesG]

Got the D205s on Lita's bike today.  They went on ok, but took considerable time and weights to balance, 40 grams on the back and 30 on the front. I guess thats understandable when you consider that they are significantly heavier than the BT010 and BT45 they replaced.  
The rear 140/70 bearly clears  the brake caliper arm. There might be 5mm at most between it and the tire. Chain side is ok.  Both tires look much bigger in circumfrence and over all mass than their specs would suggest. The front looks like a 120 sitting next to the one on my YZF. They remind me of the difference between regular and snow/winter car tires.
Didn't get to test ride and tinker with the suspesion yet, its been rainy here all day long.    I'll post some pics when I get some batteries for the dumb camera.

ciao,

[Bob Broussard]

Some Dunlops tend to be large for their size designation.
I've seen a 207 (120 front) that rubbed the fender on a ducati 916.
The race rubber seems to be better about sizing.

[dgyver]

Some Dunlops tend to be large for their size designation.
I've seen a 207 (120 front) that rubbed the fender on a ducati 916.
The race rubber seems to be better about sizing.

Another reason for me to dislike Dunlop.

[JamesG]

Ok here are some pics. Still haven't had a chance to ride and see how they feel 'cause it won't stop friggin' raining!


Here is the 110/70 vs. the 120/60 on my YZF.


See how much bigger these tires look? It will be interesting to see what it does to the gearing and speedo error...



The back tire is slightly bigger, but not too big. The 70 size does make the bike lean over better, too much for the shortened side stand! I think I'm going to swap out for a stock lenght one.

[dgyver]

All I see are little red x's.  :dunno:

Lucky you only have rain. We got sleet and wintery mix crap.

[JamesG]

Darn it.  Yahoo...

Go join my Yahoo Group and you will see 'em.

[JamesG]

Ding!

Pics are fixed.