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  1. #1
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    Default DIY Car tire mounting

    I hand mount tires for my Car, truck and Spyder. I use a manual tire mount that is available from Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply. I also use the No-Mar tire bar(best tool I own!). I also have a set of spoons that are sometimes necessary. Tires for cars and trucks are very easy. The rear tire on my Spyders are reasonably easy. The front tires on the Spyder are very difficult and definitely not for beginners. They require the use of spoons to mount and lots of muscle and care not to scratch the wheels. Tape around the wheel will help prevent damage. The No-Mar Tire Bar wont mount the front car tires for the Spyder.

    I also maually balance my wheels using a balance rod and cones from No-Mar and my own homemade balance stand. It works very very well and is very sensitive. I can static balance to within 1/4 ounce. Has always worked well on my cars and trucks, and only limited experience with the spyder, but so far, good results.

    If you like to do stuff yourself, you should check out the Tire Bar and balance products from No-Mar. At least watch some of the videos on youtube. It really does work as easy as the videos show. It wasn't super cheap, but it was worth the cost. Hope this helps out some of you guys who like to do the work yourself. Here is one video I found with the same setup I have:
    2021 Sea to Sky RT , Highland green

  2. #2
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    That is awesome! Thanks. I may just try that setup.

    Is anything special needed for Spyder rear wheel?

    Why are the front tires so much more difficult?
    Last edited by Peter Aawen; 01-27-2022 at 07:20 PM. Reason: Fixed quote display
    2014 RTL Platinum


  3. #3
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    When installing car tires on the front wheels, the car tires seem to have a larger bead? If thats the best way to describe it. I mounted 2 Federal Formozas tonight and it was a tremendous struggle. I remember the tire shop also struggled mounting car tires to the spyder wheels on my 2014. I had to fight with them tonight and actually put a small scratch in one wheel that I had to repair. Had to use spoons. no room for the tire bar. For the rear tire, I used the motorcycle wheel clamp on the tire changer. It clamps to the outside of the rim to hold it so I can dismount the tire. Its available from harbor freight also. https://www.harborfreight.com/motorc...ent-60810.html I did bend the grip tabs a little so it grabs the rim better. You can glue some rubber on the tabs for better grip also.
    Last edited by Joel The Biker; 01-27-2022 at 09:34 PM.
    2021 Sea to Sky RT , Highland green

  4. #4
    Active Member wyo85's Avatar
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    This is what I got on Amazon to change trailer tires and my motorcycle tires, hope it works good on my Spyder too. Also use a cheap tire changer from Harbor Freight .

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LC4MLPK...v_ov_lig_dp_it

  5. #5
    Very Active Member BLUEKNIGHT911's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joel The Biker View Post
    When installing car tires on the front wheels, the car tires seem to have a larger bead? If thats the best way to describe it. I mounted 2 Federal Formozas tonight and it was a tremendous struggle. I remember the tire shop also struggled mounting car tires to the spyder wheels on my 2014. I had to fight with them tonight and actually put a small scratch in one wheel that I had to repair. Had to use spoons. no room for the tire bar. For the rear tire, I used the motorcycle wheel clamp on the tire changer. It clamps to the outside of the rim to hold it so I can dismount the tire. Its available from harbor freight also. https://www.harborfreight.com/motorc...ent-60810.html I did bend the grip tabs a little so it grabs the rim better. You can glue some rubber on the tabs for better grip also.
    I don't think " bead size " has anything to do with it ..... The BEAD on the tire and corresponding LIP configuration on the wheel are FED- D.O./T. Regulated .... and they MUST MATCH ..... it's more likely the narrow width of the tire you are using .... JMHO ....Mike
    Last edited by Peter Aawen; 01-27-2022 at 11:17 PM. Reason: l;ikely ?? ;-)

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by UtahPete View Post
    That is awesome! Thanks. I may just try that setup.

    Is anything special needed for Spyder rear wheel?

    Why are the front tires so much more difficult?
    I change my own tires. The rear rim is wider which makes it a little easier to mount a New Stiffer Sidewall car tire. Note: (I remove the rotor & drive sprocket)
    The front rims being narrower, and trying to protect the outer face of the rim makes it a bit more miserable to work with the New Stiffer Bead and Sidewall. The old Kenda tires are made from used condoms, softer and short on Viagra.

    I use a bead breaker, Black Widow BW-2065; and (3) Stens tire tools 750-644, 16" length. All came from Amazon. Use plenty of Lube & Patience!
    IT is a JOB, (at least my Kumho tires were) , Front worse than the Back! Good Luck........Bill
    Last edited by Knizar; 01-28-2022 at 07:29 AM. Reason: spelling
    2020 RTL Chrome, Marsala Red "Non-Directional Tires, Centramatic Balancers"
    Front- Kumho KH-16 175/55r15 @17psi, Rear-General Altimax RT-45 215/60r15 @20psi
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  7. #7
    Very Active Member PMK's Avatar
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    I also have done tires on our and friends Spyders. Yes, both front and rears are done by hand. For balancing, the rears are static balance checked, the fronts I use my spin balancer and balance within 0.1 ounce dynamically to prevent precession and wobbles felt in the handlebars.

    Actually, I have fixed a few Spyder vibration issues the dealers gave upon and stated were normal.

    Regardless, changing tires is not my idea of having fun.

  8. #8
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    Here is my homemade balance stand. Just mounted these car tires on a set of scratch-n-dent spyder wheels I got on ebay.
    IMG_20220128_123227851.jpgIMG_20220128_122914243.jpgIMG_20220127_085058507.jpg
    2021 Sea to Sky RT , Highland green

  9. #9
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    Nice balance stand, Joel.
    2014 RTL Platinum


  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by UtahPete View Post
    Nice balance stand, Joel.
    Thanks. The largest wheels I have balanced on it so far are 19" with 245/40R19 General Altimax RT43 tires for my Honda Accord. They ride smooth as glass. It is made from aluminum from Lowes that is simply bolted together. The bearings are from Amazon.
    2021 Sea to Sky RT , Highland green

  11. #11
    SpyderLovers Sponsor cptjam's Avatar
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    I have the No Mar complete set up. No trouble with front or rear Spyder tires. I’m sure we have done over 100 sets. Easy to do, and have their wheel balancer, too. Great company, great product.
    Joe Meyer



    Dealer for the Outlaw/ROLO laser Alignment system

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by cptjam View Post
    I have the No Mar complete set up. No trouble with front or rear Spyder tires. I’m sure we have done over 100 sets. Easy to do, and have their wheel balancer, too. Great company, great product.
    Hmmm....I seem to remember this strong ox of a guy using that rig to do my back tire! Maybe I need a hydraulic / pneumatic rig!
    2014 RTL Platinum


  13. #13
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    Or you could make one of these. Im going to try it.
    2021 Sea to Sky RT , Highland green

  14. #14
    Very Active Member Bensonoid's Avatar
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    Default HF tire changer

    Here's an easy mod to the original mount bar that comes with the HF tire changer. It doesn't bugger up the rims and makes dismounting the fronts as easy as peeling a banana.
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    2015 RTS Special Series
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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bensonoid View Post
    Here's an easy mod to the original mount bar that comes with the HF tire changer. It doesn't bugger up the rims and makes dismounting the fronts as easy as peeling a banana.
    What is it?
    2014 RTL Platinum


  16. #16
    Very Active Member Bensonoid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by UtahPete View Post
    What is it?
    The pictures are of a mount dismount bar that comes with the HF tire changer. If you have one you can see what I did to make it work without scratching your wheels. The dismount end is a replacement No-mar tip and the mount end has a piece of laundry detergent jug zip tied to it. It only makes sense to someone that has the HF tire changer that the OP was referring to.
    2015 RTS Special Series
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  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bensonoid View Post
    The pictures are of a mount dismount bar that comes with the HF tire changer. If you have one you can see what I did to make it work without scratching your wheels. The dismount end is a replacement No-mar tip and the mount end has a piece of laundry detergent jug zip tied to it. It only makes sense to someone that has the HF tire changer that the OP was referring to.
    I understand now. Thanks
    2014 RTL Platinum


  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bensonoid View Post
    The pictures are of a mount dismount bar that comes with the HF tire changer. If you have one you can see what I did to make it work without scratching your wheels. The dismount end is a replacement No-mar tip and the mount end has a piece of laundry detergent jug zip tied to it. It only makes sense to someone that has the HF tire changer that the OP was referring to.
    Looks good Gary. How did you attach the Mo-Mar black tip?
    2021 Sea to Sky RT , Highland green

  19. #19
    Very Active Member Bensonoid's Avatar
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    The tip fit inside black iron pipe (I think it was 3/4 inch) ,then that fit in the mount/dismount bar. I used a roll pin to hold the tip.
    Last edited by Bensonoid; 01-29-2022 at 09:56 PM.
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  20. #20
    Active Member wyo85's Avatar
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    I mounted some tubing on my HF tire changer to slide into the hitch on the back of my truck so I didn't have to permanently mount it on my garage floor . It likes to twist a little because it about 4 feet back from the truck but works good. I guess I could put straps on the changers feet and then to the truck would fix the twisting but its not to bad.
    Last edited by wyo85; 01-29-2022 at 09:20 PM.

  21. #21
    Very Active Member Bensonoid's Avatar
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    I installed red head drop in anchors in my floor so I can bolt in the tire changer as needed and when I remove it nothing sticks up from the floor. I like the hitch idea, you can "take it on the road".
    2015 RTS Special Series
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  22. #22
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    I used balancing beads in my huge RV tires. Are these commonly used in motorcycle tires?

  23. #23
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    No. I have tried them without success.
    2021 Sea to Sky RT , Highland green

  24. #24
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    I am fortunate to have an AMI certified mechanic as a neighbor. Whenever I need tires mounted, or anything else for that matter, he's my go to guy. We always barter for each other's services.

  25. #25
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    I love Dyna Beads. I buy them in a 20 lb tub. They come with a chart to tell you how much to put in a tire according to its size. Most car tires require 3½ to 4 ounces per tire. It’s far easier to dump them in before you set the bead, although it is possible to put them in through the valve stem on an already mounted tire.

    https://youtu.be/eq263AYgyYg

    Quote Originally Posted by dmiles View Post
    I used balancing beads in my huge RV tires. Are these commonly used in motorcycle tires?
    They’re awesome on bike tires!
    Last edited by Peter Aawen; 01-16-2023 at 05:27 PM. Reason: duplicating the thread archeology.... ;-)
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