Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Tire change

I'm getting ready to change my front tire(12,000)miles.I found a tire place to mount for $10 bucks if I bring the wheel in to them.How hard is it to take off? I know I removed the brake and leave the rotor on? I guess I leave the weights on the rim and it really doen't have to be rebalanced? Is any of this true? I'm going to a Dunlop 404 same size as the stock Bridgestone. Anybody out there??

you WILL have to rebalance. no 2 tires are the same. it is fine to leave the rotor on.

Frank

I know I sound like a broken record, but do a search. I inquired about this several months ago and some folks gave great replies. Pretty simple really. Leave the weights alone, they will take off/add as necesary when they mount and ballance it.

Edit: OK I got curious myself
Here's one.

Here's another..

Thanks. I might try the 5/8 socket trick.

I did that

Hey Wizard.. what made you decide on the Dunlop.. I have them on my Ninja and can't stand them as they seem to wear way too fast. (Maybe it's just the Ninja?!?)

Cheers,
Brad

I liked the price and thought it looked like a good tire.I started to go with the Bridgestone since I got good wear off of it.

I installed the same Dunlap tires on my bike several weeks ago. Rebalancing was not required. Todays tires are balanced from the factory, they are even marked with a yellow circle for locating next to the valve stem to insure the balance will be correct once mounted on the rim. Rebalancing will only be required if the old tire and rim were out of balance to begin with or you lost the rim weights during the change.

Tom

Thanks, That's some good news. It'been a sh** night and I needed something positive.

Let the air out of the tire and it installs easier than fully inflated (tight around the front fender).

The fender's already off so I can chop it! Chopping ain't easy but it's necessary!

The job is easier if you remove the caliper. Place the speedo hookup in a plastic bag when the wheel is off. Chances are you will not need to hold the spindle. Just get the right size hex driver for right side.

Re balancing. Sure if you have weights on the rim you can leave them on, but do you really think the tire shop is going to balance your mounted tire taking into account the weights you left on that may be wrong? I take em all off. Let them balance from a virgin state.

Thanks for the info,bro. It's going down tomorrow.

Wizard, I was thinking of going with the Dunlops also. The guy at a shop I went here said they are for mid-size bikes like ours and are middle of the line as far as wear and performance. He said that they are not good for heavier touring bikes. He wants $233 for front a rear including mounting, balancing and tax. $51.95 for the front, 90.95 for the rear and $70 for mounting and balancing, plus the tax. I wonder if anyone has tried the Michelin, Pilots?
I would be a little bit cautious since it is your front tire, about the balancing. It might be worth it to pay a little extra for it. It doesn't take much to get some vibration in the front end. Is the tire shop you are going to a bike shop or so they do auto tires also.?

Good luck.

I put the Dunlop on and had it balanced.It cost a little more but like everyone says,It will ride better.I've rode alittle and it handles as well as the Bridgestone.I'll just have to see what mileage it'll get as I ride.I paid $46 at the Yamaha dealer and he balanced it for $15 bucks.

I am on my second front and I love getting 12-13,000 out of the front. Got 18,000 on Bridgestone rear. Now have 13,000 on a Dunlop and if I get to 18, I got Lucky. Dennis Kirk has the stock tires (Bridgestones) at a great price and since with a new tube it is over a $100. shipping is free