My front tire is getting worn, and my back tire just picked up a screw last weekend, and it already has a plug in it.  It's time to get a new set.

I've ordered a set online, and they're on the way.  I called around to see who would swap them out for me.  None of the standard tire places I called deal with cycle tires, and the two cycle shops I called wanted $62 and $75 to swap two tires, and that's with them OFF of the bike.  It was double with the tires on the bike.  That seems too expensive to me, but I don't have the gear to swap out my own tires.  Can anyone recommend a place I can take my tires to that will charge a more reasonable amount?  I'm just southwest of Atlanta.

Thanks to anyone who can help!

Hmm.. just a bump... I'm interested too, as I'll be putting new tires on both rims, eventually. I may even need a new front rim.. don't know if the accident bent it or not yet..

The best place to get tires changed is in your own driveway. Or a friends driveway.

You'll need a car; we use the Camry usually:


And some big boards to break the bead:


Then you will need are two tire levers, like these:


And some gasket material, like this:


Or you can use tire savers, like this:


You'll also need some soapy water:


And some boards to keep your wheel off the ground; I use 2x6s:


After that you just need some time:


And some patience:


And then you can easily change your own tires! After that, you'll be happy about the $30 you saved!

does your neibour know your using his benz to assist you with breaking the bead???

Quote from: ajaxgs on August 17, 2006, 06:09:05 AM
does your neibour know your using his benz to assist you with breaking the bead???

No, but hopefully Google Image does! 

The Camry got moved to the other side of the driveway, so now the Miata gets used.

I've levered 3 tires on and off various wheels over the past 6 months. I've also helped my dad with his tires when he first did this as well, about a year ago. I'm fairly new to it, but I slapped a Pilot Power onto my Kat rim in about 15 minutes today. Now given, I didn't have to break the bead and remove it (one of the hardest parts, I feel), it was still quick and easy. It took me a LONG time to get the hang of it the first time, but it is a very quick learning curve and you'll get better and better the more you do it yourself.

Marietta motorsports ask for Huey mention GSB (770) 419-2525

Mtn Adventures 770-761-4800
again mention GSB said about 50 on the bike and 30 off the bike.  Call to make sure.

http://www.mspcycle.com/
ask for Brad 404-325-4121 It's a race shop but hey do regular work also

http://metrocycles.net/

Well theres a few for you try out.  Let us know how it turns out.

ok now for the dumb as# question .............. what do you do about ballacing the tire

Quote from: ajaxgs on August 17, 2006, 06:59:36 AM
ok now for the dumb as# question .............. what do you do about ballacing the tire

Ahh, good question!

We use something similar to these:


To support a wheel balancer like these, which can be had for around $100:


They typically come with weights, but if not tire weights like these can be found for less than a few dollars:


So, it all really pays for itself within just a few tire changes, depending on how much you are charged. We have done 3 with my bike and 3 with my fathers, so it's coming out quite nicely for us.

i see and understand now !!!!! been in the auto industry too long with the new style wheel balancers forgot about the old way to do things ie bubble balance or the tools in the picture

Thanks for all the replies!  I've thought about doing it myself, but I'm not sure if I can.  I can always give it a shot, and if I can't, I can still take them to a shop. 

I bet the Yellow pages would know where to find a garage that will change them.

That yellow book... he just knows everything.

  -Anti 

I don't know about any places in south Atlanta.   I get mine done an a place in Woodstock called "Ken's Motorcycle tires".  If you bring him a wheel and buy a tire from him... then he'll mount it for $10.

Also, there are a couple of people on http://www.georgiasportbike.com that have the equipment to mount and balance tires.  Some of them prolly live in your area

It's not in south Atlanta, but Milennium Cycleworks on 78 near Stone Mountain put a tire on for me for $35. They did a good job- didn't scratch up the rim or anything. I don't know of any bike shops south of I20 in Atlanta. There's the Ducati/Triumph place off Cheshire Bridge?

Do not go to Mountain Adventures in Conyers. They are ass clowns. I ordered a specific set of metric feeler gauges from them that had the hard to find .03mm (or .04mm?) gauge..so the next day, I tear my bike apart to check the valves, and open the box to find that Mtn. Adventures substituted a different set of gauges without telling me...and it didn't have the small size that's needed specifically for the GS.