DIY Tyre Replacement.

[scooterfan]

So time has arrived to replace the scoot's rear tyre at 12 500 km. I bought the scooter 2nd hand, and the warn tyre was a nylon Taiwanese "Cheng Shin" - or something like that.

I previously got very good mileage with Michelin PR4 tyres on my previous motorcycle, so I decided to stick to the brand. After a Google search I decided to get a Michelin City Grip tyre. I could'nt find one locally, and after insisting on a Michelin I got one from a dealer who ordered one at the lowest price.

I never replaced tyres on my previous motorcycles myself, but when the dealer gave me a quote to fit the Michelin to the scooter, I decided rather to try fitting the tyre myself. The dealer's quote was more than 1/3rd of the price of the tyre, and since they do not balance scooter tyres I decided rather taking a chance myself.

So I just removed the scooter's exhaust, loosened the wheel nut, and the wheel came off easily. I then just put the wheel on a bench vice, and clamped on the tyre in the vice just to separate the sidewalls from the rim.
I then just used a crow bar, screwdriver, and a piece of flat bar to remove the tyre from the rim.

Fitting the new tyre to the rim was fairly easy as well. I just used the same tools, and within about 45 minutes I hooked the tyre to my air compressor, and the job was done.

I'm  quite happy about undertaking this job myself - will most probably fit all new tyres on my scooter(s) myself in future.

Some pictures can be seen below.

[john grinsel]

Normally I do tire work/changing myself.   I have bead breaker/tire irons of various lengths/rim protectors  and lift which I put scooter/bike on...and tie down.   Because of poor design modern maxi scooters are pain to remove rear wheel.


I have balance stand but instead use "Ride On" as balance medium....and have for several years=it works.

[scooterfan]

Normally I do tire work/changing myself.   I have bead breaker/tire irons of various lengths/rim protectors  and lift which I put scooter/bike on...and tie down.   Because of poor design modern maxi scooters are pain to remove rear wheel.


I have balance stand but instead use "Ride On" as balance medium....and have for several years=it works.

I don’t have the correct tools like tire irons, and actually just took a chance by using whatever I could put my hands on.... will start looking for tire irons in the meanwhile.

My max. speed since the new tyre has been fitted was 80km/H and so far there seem to be no need to get the wheel balanced. I hardly ever go faster than 90 km/H , so hopefully I will be okay.