How to Protect a Rim During a Tire Change on a Motorcycle

Removing a motorcycle tire without damaging the rim is a delicate task.

Removing and replacing the tires on motorcycle rims is a physically-demanding process, and it is all too easy to slip with the pry bar and scratch the wheel itself. You can simply take the motorcycle to the mechanic when the tires need changing and they will take them off the rims using a machine designed not to damage the wheels, but this is more expensive. The best way to do this at home is to make sure the pry bar does not come into direct contact with the wheel during the whole process.

Things You'll Need

• Pry bar
• Liquid soap
• Old towel

Instructions

1. Place the wheel on the ground and apply a mixture of liquid soap and water to the rim and tire to act as a lubricant.

2. Put the old towel over the top of the wheel and tire, making sure it covers most of the tire.

3. Force the pry bar in between the lip, or bead, of the rim and the tire so the old towel stops the pry bar coming into contact with the rim.

4. Continue this all the way round so one entire tire wall is off the rim and repeat for the other tire wall.

5. Lubricate the rim and the new tire with the liquid soap.

6. Place the tire on top of the rim with the towel sandwiched in the middle.

7. Use the pry bar as before to force the tire wall onto the rim. Pull the towel out every few inches round so it does not get stuck between the tire and the rim.

8. Place the towel on top of the rim again and use the pry bar to force the other tire wall onto the rim stopping every few inches to pull the towel out so it does not get stuck.

References

• Ask The Geek: Change Your Own Tires