Jay
E pluribus unum
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2019
- Messages
- 873
- Location
- California, USA
- Ride
- 2023 Rocket 3 GT (Ego), 2021 Zero SR/S (Earth)
Even with rim shields, you run the risk of damaging the paint on painted rims. I could get a tire off and installed in 10 min on my 2013 Rocket 3 Touring with unpainted rims; both the front 150 and rear 190 tires. I even did a 210 car tire on the R3T when I tried dark siding. The car tire was super tough though. I was using the Motion Pro levers, rim shields, and the yellow thingie in all cases. I am also experienced in changing the tires on the Yamaha FJR, and Spyder RT and F3 wheels. It has been super easy with the tools mentioned above and I wasn’t worried about the rims, Though the MP levers dug into the paint along the tire side of the painted Spyder rims while breaking the bead, but it was out of sight when tire mounted.That's what I use them for- breaking the bead, but not removing the tire from the rim.
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Using just those tools was my first attempt at a complete rear tire change with a Roadster, that was a long frustrating sweaty NEAR success. Near.
Looking forward to your video removing the rear tire on a Roadster or Classic with just tire irons of any kind. Breaking the bead, however, can be done with just those two Motion Pro tools.
More recently, I tried changing the rear tire on my Zero SR/S with painted rim using a Harbor Freight bead breaker (made this super easy with no risk to the rim), and the MP levers and rim shield. Took me over three hours wrestling while trying to be super gentle and slow with lots of soapy water to slide the tire so I didn’t ruin the paint. I still chipped the rim in a few places. Was super mad because I consider myself good at tire changes with adequate strength and technique, but still chipped the rim paint. I expect I will have better luck with faster time and less risk to the rim paint using the Raboconda. I think the MoJo or NoMar levers would have even less risk to the rim, but you need a machine to hold the rim and I didn’t want to take up that much floorspace in the garage storing it.
Also, the Motion Pro levers are a risk to the rim paint as mentioned above and I want those on the forum who are new to tire changing to understand the risks and challenges.
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