How do you change tubeless motorcycle tires and what tools/materials are needed?
I get the feeling that many of the responders have never changed a tubless tire. Unless you have the proper tools for breaking down the tire, forget it because you'll never get the bead broke loose. Nearly all rear tubeless rims have an automotive style safety bead, a small raised ridge set back maybe 3/8 from the wheel shoulder. It's there so that if you have a flat, the tire stays on the wheel rather than coming loose and wallowing around on the rim. Have a flat at speed and it's the rear one that will dump you in a ditch faster than a flat on the front. I once had a sudden blow out from something that cut an inch long hole in the tread. I slowly rode the full dress bike nearly a mile on a field road to get back to my house. While the rear did wallow around some, the tire never came off of the rim. To break the bead on a safety rim, you need a $50 Harbor Freight bead breaker or a hand held one shaped like a very large, dull chisel. The latter is hard to use, the former easy. Tubeless tire dimensions are no different than tube style, it's the rims that are different. Tubeless are easier because you don't have a tube to stuff in there and possibably pinch. However, if the tire has been stored on its side with other tires stored on top, the sidewalls can be mashed together and you'll never get the the beads to mate up to the wheel enough to take air. You then must use the old starting fluid and torch striker to ignite the starting fluid enough to explode, popping the wire onto the rim. You need to be careful because if you go pounding on a mag wheel, you can bust them and then you have junk. You also have to be careful when laying the wheel down or working on it because you can slightly warp the brake disc.
No offense intended, but what a bunch of wimps! I do it all the time on tires that range from a bicycle to tractor tires taller than I am and heavy enough to need two people to move around. And I even do it with old fashioned tools! The process isn't that complicated, but very time consuming to explain in words. The best way is to watch someone do it. The secret to changing tires is to lubricate the tire bead so it slips easily over the rim and to keep the opposite side of the bead down in the drop center of the wheel. That's what lets you put a tire with a 16 inch diameter between beads onto a 17 inch wide rim. Also be very careful with cast rims, protect them with leather or a wadded up rag when prying on them and don't strike them with a steel hammer. If you have to use a hammer on the tire, use a rubber one. Also be careful to protect the brake disc when you lay the wheel down because you can warp them if you're not careful. I'd hate to see what you guys would do if you had a flat tire Sunday mroning and had a big ride planned on Sunday afternoon. You sure wouldn't be going anywhere until Tuesday! As far as tools needed, I use a heavy sledge hammer, rubber hammer, at least two spoons, a bead buster which is a large chisel like tool, a cheap Harbor Freight tire fixing outfit (not an absolute necessity), ArmorAll silicone lubricant, valve stem removing tool and tire gauge.
Let a Pro Do it . I have changed tires myself also for years But I Do Not do my bikes
