Bay Area: Tire change help needed

[cug]

I was looking around today, searching for tires, and got some quotes. Fairly shocked about prices I am now thinking of mounting tires myself. Doing that a few times and I can fund quite a nice vacation from it.

But, this would be my first time doing this and starting on a R1200GS tire - I might need some help. Is there someone in the South Bay who could help me? It's still some weeks out, but I like to get tires ordered and therefore I'm thinking about this right now.

I would get necessary tools, beer available on request ...

Let me know ...

[marc]

How about mid-peninsula (San Mateo near 280 and 92)?

I've got everything needed to scratch your rims up real good. Except for wheel weights. I'm running low on wheel weights.





etc.

[cug]

Apart from the rim scratching that sounds pretty good ... Any way we can avoid that on my precious wire wheels?

I got another tip for affordable service and will follow up with them for tires but I'm still very interested in learning to do the tire change myself.

[marc]

Bead breaker, tire irons, and something to hold the front brake rotors off the ground (some two-by-fours will do) are what you need. You can buy rim protectors or cut up some milk bottles. Add some soap or, as some do, some windex as a lubricant.

Also good to have on hand are spare valve stems (if yours are not permanent), wheel weights, and a way to balance the wheel once the tire is mounted.

Lots of how-to videos on youtube.

Stills of mounting a rear tire: http://www.snafu.org/pics/r1200gs/2010/0901-rear-tire/
Stills of mounting a front tire: http://www.snafu.org/pics/r1200gs/2010/0904-front-tire/

[cug]

Originally Posted by marc

Bead breaker, tire irons, and something to hold the front brake rotors off the ground (some two-by-fours will do) are what you need. You can buy rim protectors or cut up some milk bottles. Add some soap or, as some do, some windex as a lubricant.

Also good to have on hand are spare valve stems (if yours are not permanent), wheel weights, and a way to balance the wheel once the tire is mounted.

That sounds all good. I'll see that I get some stuff myself - but I'd really appreciate a helping hand (or just commands like "do it this way, stupid", to not spend a whole weekend on a single tire and still have everything messed up and scratched ...

Is the TPM on my bike a problem (re valve stem)? I'll see that I learn a bit more, get some tools myself, watch some of the videos out there, order tires (might take a while to get them - I was thinking of getting Heidenau K60 that are not available for a few more weeks), but then I'd get back here and announce the coming desaster. That okay with you?

[marc]

Yep. I can usually make my self available with a little bit of notice. Let me know when you are ready to do something. If you prefer I'll come over and laugh as you do the work.

As for tire sensors... as long as you are aware of their location and take a little care it is not a big deal.