How To Change and Balance Your Own Spyder Tires

[AY4B]

I came across this very informative Step By Step video and thought to add it here.

https://youtu.be/dAKIuSjPXxA

[AY4B]

The tools he used to do this are at this site
https://www.revzilla.com/motion-pro?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_campaign=Text-Vendor%20Head-Motion%20Pro-USA%20CAN%20AUS&utm_content=16458936786&utm_term=+Motion%20+Pro%20+Motorcycles|409|2504007 0

[AY4B]

So many of us have problems finding a place that will do this and if you do you have to figure out how to get both your tire and Spyder there. I am ordering these tools to start changing and balancing my own.
Total price with free shipping for everything is 170.97 plus the weights.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

So many of us have problems finding a place that will do this and if you do you have to figure out how to get both your tire and Spyder there. I am ordering these tools to start changing and balancing my own.
Total price with free shipping for everything is 170.97 plus the weights. A video that shows you how to change a MOTORCYCLE tire on a MOTORCYCLE wheel /rim may not be the best Video for you / us ...... The Spyder rims are CAR " J " type rims ........... so go back to U-tube and watch how it's done on a CAR tire ....... and those tools you are looking at can be had a lot less expensive and if they are..... CAR tire tools more useful ..........good luck ...... Mike :thumbup:

[AY4B]

I dont think the procedure would be any different but I will find out soon enough the way I burn tires. I only have 1700 miles on my OEM rear and the center is already hit the raised indicator.

[AY4B]

It will also give me a chance to replace those stock valve stems with metal ones that are easier to get to. The front tires valve stems on the new spyders are so short you can barely get ahold of them much less put your FOBO on. FOBO also recommends metal valve stems.

[Warlock]

It will also give me a chance to replace those stock valve stems with metal ones that are easier to get to. The front tires valve stems on the new spyders are so short you can barely get ahold of them much less put your FOBO on. FOBO also recommends metal valve stems.

I have a manual tire changer and it's not as easy as he shows. When that tire has been on for a really long time sometimes it's a job to get it to break the bead. Would love to see him do a spyder rear tire with thoses tools. Can be done, but a battle.
David

[AY4B]

I already ordered the tools. It did not look that difficult. What made it easier was he heated the rubber pretty good. On my ST , I did 2 changes. I removed and installed the rear wheel myself and took it to the dealer for them to mount the tire. All I can do is give it a go and Ill let you all know how it went.

[Warlock]

I already ordered the tools. It did not look that difficult. What made it easier was he heated the rubber pretty good. On my ST , I did 2 changes. I removed and installed the rear wheel myself and took it to the dealer for them to mount the tire. All I can do is give it a go and Ill let you all know how it went.

You'll find little tricks here and there. Might take a good bit of blood, sweat, and tears. I use Armour All as a lube.
David

[AY4B]

I found this video that also was helpful, This guy BTW makes some awsome video tutorials on Basecamp as well.

https://youtu.be/1y__tB6_rRM

[Warlock]

I found this video that also was helpful, This guy BTW makes some awsome video tutorials on Basecamp as well.

https://youtu.be/1y__tB6_rRM

I use that same set up. I made me a Teflon block to use to brake the bead so not to mess up the rim. Also I have 3 Teflon blocks that mount on the pieces that holds the rim in place while removing the tire. I have a bar similar to his, but made by a different guy. I like his bar better.
David

[oldguyinTX]

Actually, method 1 looked easier to me than using the Harbor Freight thing.

[Warlock]

Actually, method 1 looked easier to me than using the Harbor Freight thing.

method 1 does well on motorcycle tires and front tires of the spyder. The back tire is a different animal. But none of them is easy when everything is cold. I have changed about 30 tires with mine and like the guy says every tire is different.

David

[AY4B]

Here is one that will give you all a chuckle. Anyone here ever use gorilla tape to mount a tire?

https://youtu.be/IeoMTg7bxvw

[Warlock]

Here is one that will give you all a chuckle. Anyone here ever use gorilla tape to mount a tire?

https://youtu.be/IeoMTg7bxvw

I have done it with smaller tires using tie wraps instead of tape. It does work on the small front tire of the sports bike.
David

[jcthorne]

We tried a lot of various tools to change tires. Four letter words, damaged rims and general frustration with what should be a straightforward task led us to invest in the right tool for the job:

158992

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

I came across this very informative Step By Step video and thought to add it here.

https://youtu.be/dAKIuSjPXxA

I don't agree with his balancing, reminds me too much of bubble balancers in the '70's which were very inaccurate.

[Warlock]

We tried a lot of various tools to change tires. Four letter words, damaged rims and general frustration with what should be a straightforward task led us to invest in the right tool for the job:

158992

Would love to have one of them. Just don't change as many tires now. Would have been nice. Getting ready to change out my back tire in a couple months. Use to enjoy it. No fun anymore. Seems like too much work.
David

[AY4B]

I have been to JCthorne's shop and he has top end everything. Very impressive shop and he is very knowledgeable about everything pertaining to Spyders. I just wish someone like him lived closer to me. :thumbup:

[AY4B]

I don't agree with his balancing, reminds me too much of bubble balancers in the '70's which were very inaccurate.

Just about every DIY video I have seen use a variation of that same method. Its looks to me like a poor mans Spin balance. A bubble balance is done horizontally on a center point.

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

Just about every DIY video I have seen use a variation of that same method. Its looks to me like a poor mans Spin balance. A bubble balance is done horizontally on a center point.

Yes you are right but my point being .... not accurate or at least not accurate enough for me.

[AY4B]

Yes you are right but my point being .... not accurate or at least not accurate enough for me.

You can always get one of those balancing kits from Lamonster garage.

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

You can always get one of those balancing kits from Lamonster garage.

yes but they only work on a :spyder2: not on a motorcycle and me i will still road force my :spyder2:.

[GearHd]

I don't agree with his balancing, reminds me too much of bubble balancers in the '70's which were very inaccurate.

That guys method is extremely accurate. I have access to a Marc Parnes balancer similar to the one in video and a computer spin balancer, balance on the Marc Parnes balancer, then put it on the computer balancer and it comes up .000 every time.

[AY4B]

I ordered those tools yesterday and got them today already. Wow that is a record for free shipping!

[jcthorne]

I have been to JCthorne's shop and he has top end everything. Very impressive shop and he is very knowledgeable about everything pertaining to Spyders. I just wish someone like him lived closer to me. :thumbup:


Never met a tool I did not like. I have been accused by Louise of only running the shop for the purpose of buying tools....

Thanks for the kind words. Do love working on these bikes.

[Warlock]

I ordered those tools yesterday and got them today already. Wow that is a record for free shipping!

Have fun. I no longer use a balance for my wheels. I put in dyna beads and done with it.
David

[Warlock]

Never met a tool I did not like. I have been accused by Louise of only running the shop for the purpose of buying tools....

Thanks for the kind words. Do love working on these bikes.

I like doing that also. I go some friends that I help out on their spyders. Haven't fool with a F3 yet. My cousin had one and 12-28-16 woman ran a stop sign and totaled out the F3 and now he is still in the bed paralyzed from the accident.
David

[Gunner3773]

That guys method is extremely accurate. I have access to a Marc Parnes balancer similar to the one in video and a computer spin balancer, balance on the Marc Parnes balancer, then put it on the computer balancer and it comes up .000 every time.

I too have the Marc Parnes balancer. It works great for me also!

Gunner

[cptjam]

we do lots of tires. We use a No Mar tire machine and a No Mar wheel balancer. Took a couple tries to get the hang of it. It paid for itself in a couple of months. Works great, and No Mar means no damage to wheels. Check it out!

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

major problem i have is when he inflated it his hand was on the tire near the bead :yikes:. any tire installer can tell
you how dangerous that can be. next is he never mentioned using bead seal, that black goo that is put on the
bead of the rim to prevent leaks from occurring. last is his balancing is like a bubble balancer from the '60's & 70's
which was never really accurate.
if a home job is what you want then follow his instructions but remember you will probably get what you pay for.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

major problem i have is when he inflated it his hand was on the tire near the bead :yikes:. any tire installer can tell
you how dangerous that can be. next is he never mentioned using bead seal, that black goo that is put on the
bead of the rim to prevent leaks from occurring. last is his balancing is like a bubble balancer from the '60's & 70's
which was never really accurate.
if a home job is what you want then follow his instructions but remember you will probably get what you pay for.
That stuff should be called - BEAD GLUE ..... if you don't own a professional Hydraulic tire machine, getting the bead to release is almost impossible ..... I recently did 8 tires didn't use Bead Seal when mounting and none have any leaks after 6 mos.. ....Mike :thumbup:

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

That stuff should be called - BEAD GLUE ..... if you don't own a professional Hydraulic tire machine, getting the bead to release is almost impossible ..... I recently did 8 tires didn't use Bead Seal when mounting and none have any leaks after 6 mos.. ....Mike :thumbup:

it's purpose is to fill small imperfections in the rim or tire i.e. rust, corrosion, dips in NEW tires. at my place we always use it but it is not always needed sort of like wearing a seatbelt for all those times you were not in an accident or wearing a helmet yet never thrown from your bike.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

it's purpose is to fill small imperfections in the rim or tire i.e. rust, corrosion, dips in NEW tires. at my place we always use it but it is not always needed sort of like wearing a seatbelt for all those times you were not in an accident or wearing a helmet yet never thrown from your bike.
Thanks soooooooooooo much for this info. I had no idea what the Bead Sealer was for. I thought maybe they used it with the Dyna-Beads or something similar. I was just relating my experience with the stuff .... I will never use it because of that experience. Annnnnnnnnnnnnnd ........ If you think your comparison OF similar or equal...................well :yikes:..............Mike :thumbup:

[jcthorne]

we do lots of tires. We use a No Mar tire machine and a No Mar wheel balancer. Took a couple tries to get the hang of it. It paid for itself in a couple of months. Works great, and No Mar means no damage to wheels. Check it out!


I bought a NoMar and mounted it to the shop floor. Then proceeded to thrash with it for several hours and never did complete one tire change correctly and without damage to a wheel. The device WOULD NOT hold the wheel, tighten so far the clamps bent and still the wheel slipped in the nylon blocks. I called NoMar and they only told me to watch the videos. I did, the machine they sent me simply would not do what the video shows. The wheel just moved or gouged. I called back again and they just said, well it will not hold all wheel types. Sorry. Then they charged me an outrageous restocking fee to return the defective machine, got less than half my money back. I was NOT impressed with the machine's low build quality or the company's lack of care or help after the sale. Do not recommend for Spyder wheels.

I bought a Ranger tire machine and had it fully functional in 30 minutes and never once harmed a spyder wheel. Right tool for the job and zero frustration. It just works.
It also handles my big truck tires, motorcycle tires and vette tires and wheels without difficulty.

Liked the Ranger tire machine so much I would not even consider another brand when we purchased a real balance machine. Pretty happy with it as well.

[cptjam]

Mine works perfectly!

[jcthorne]

Mine works perfectly!


i truly think they either sent a unit with defective clamps as they bent rather easily when trying to clamp the wheel, or the machine they recommended for the wheels was the wrong one. Either way the total lack of support or customer care was appalling and made the final decision to move on an easy one.

I have had great support from BendPak Ranger on all my equipment from them.

[Finn]

I thought my tyre was going fast, but nothing like what you do. I have 15.000km on my rear OEM, and now looking for a replacement. I have been running 18 to 20 psi and now asking you what you have used?
I think it would be more, but how much?

safe riding
Finn



I dont think the procedure would be any different but I will find out soon enough the way I burn tires. I only have 1700 miles on my OEM rear and the center is already hit the raised indicator.