Gen II tire mounting, balancing

[Eric L]

I paid the local guy $75 to mount and balance a front tire on a drive-in job. Is this reasonable?

 

[Ignacio]

If you don't want to buy the equipment to do it yourself...or shop around in your area for a different price....totally reasonable. Sounds like an hour of shop rate.

If, like me, you want to invest in your own gear....it would be paid off in 6 or 8 tire swaps...and not very reasonable.

 

[Eric L]

If you don't want to buy the equipment to do it yourself...or shop around in your area for a different price....totally reasonable. Sounds like an hour of shop rate.

If, like me, you want to invest in your own gear....it would be paid off in 6 or 8 tire swaps...and not very reasonable.

I am slowly learning to do things on the bike - fluids, farkles.... going to do a TBS next week. I am not ready to take off wheels, sensors, etc. I guess it's something to look forward to.

 

[frito1]

Sounds like an hour of shop rate.

+1

As for buying your own equipment, the number of bikes you own, the number of miles ridden, and therefore the frequency of tire changes are influencing factors. Not to mention factors such as mechanical desire & ability, or the number of friends that will come by, use your tools, and drink your beer. I spent $500-$600 a few years back. I had recouped my money by the 4th tire swap, everything since then (~15 tires) has been gravy. Plus you will be very popular with your beer guzzlin' friends.

If your tire swaps are few and far between, your money/time may be better spent buying your wrench’s favorite adult beverage. Your money, your time, you make the call.

 

[FJRay]

In my shop I charge 80.00 to mount and balance a pair of tires. That includes taking the wheels off the bike. If it involves removing a lot of extra shit then I charge a straight 50.00 an hour.

 

[frito1]

In my shop I charge 80.00 to mount and balance a pair of tires. That includes taking the wheels off the bike.

I'd bet you get all the work you can stand. The local dealers here get $80-85 an hour (one hour minimum). My last dealer bought tire was installed in 35 minutes for $80 + a tire at the dealer’s price. Local shops here, Indy or dealer, don't want your business unless you buy the tires from them and the Indy’s price point is within $5 of the dealers. So you end up at $80 per tire for install and pay an extra $50-$75 (over TYD internet pricing) for each tire. And as an added bonus you get the least experienced guy in the shop to scratch & dirty your expensive MC.

 

[fljab]

I paid the local guy $75 to mount and balance a front tire on a drive-in job. Is this reasonable?

+1; when I go to my local shop and have them mount my tires that's about what they get. Remember that's for removing the wheel from the bike, balance, and reinstall.

 

[08FJR4ME]

If I remember correctly it was $43.00 for taking off the rear tire and $38.00 for the front from the local dealer. That didn't include anything else. Now add on Mounting and balancing and yeah I would say he's in the ball park of what you would pay.

Therefore that is why I bought a cycle hill tire changer.

Dave

 

[kaitsdad]

Following my first dealer tire change -

I purchased the necessary equipment. And lots of lube.

My ROI was 3 tires.

Oh yeah - I balance them, unlike the dealer.

 

[cota95]

Bought a No-mar junior pro setup a couple of years ago and never looked back

 

[dcarver]

Sounds like an hour of shop rate.

+1

As for buying your own equipment, the number of bikes you own, the number of miles ridden, and therefore the frequency of tire changes are influencing factors. Not to mention factors such as mechanical desire & ability, or the number of friends that will come by, use your tools, and drink your beer. I spent $500-$600 a few years back. I had recouped my money by the 4th tire swap, everything since then (~15 tires) has been gravy. Plus you will be very popular with your beer guzzlin' friends.

If your tire swaps are few and far between, your money/time may be better spent buying your wrench’s favorite adult beverage. Your money, your time, you make the call.

Well said. I just bought 4 rears and 3 fronts to supplement the current inventory of 2 fronts and 1 rear. Derby Cycles has some great prices right now <clicky>
If you can do a TBS, you can change tires your self. I went cheap, bought a Harbor Freight tire changer w/ MC adapter, Marc Parnes balancer, and a long bar (don't recall who right now) that has Teflon on the ends to facilitate lifting the bead over the rim. Truthfully though, a good set of tire irons and the HF unit are all you really need. Oh, as well as a set of clamps to squeeze the tire opposite of where you are trying to seat the bead.

I fully encourage you to make the investment, *if* you put enough miles on per year justify the ROI.

 

[doctorJ]

I take my own tire/wheels off the bike and take in for changes. Up until this Jan. I was getting them done for about $25/tire ($50 total). Now that has gone up to $70 total. I don't need any tire changes anytime soon, but have been doing 3-4 sets a year so seriously thinking of getting a Cycle Hill changer and balancer down the road. Maybe some riding friends will want to use it and give me something for the convenience (Diet Coke six pack or sumpin ).

By the way, removing and reinstalling your own wheels/tires and brake calipers is not a big deal but if uncomfortable with that, I understand that. Where I live not many people do their own bike maintenance or tire stuff, so guess the dealers rely on that a lot.

doctorj

 

[vasteve]

I went in with some other guys and bought a No-Mar changer and balancer. I made a bracket that hooks it to a reciever hitch on my truck. So when anybody needs it they can slide in the hitch and change your tire behind the truck. I have a toyhauler so when I take the bike I take the changer with me. It was nice to have in Arkansas last Summer. Most of the guys that I went in with don't even have bikes anymore. It sure has paid for its self over and over.

 

[ynotride]

As for buying your own equipment, the number of bikes you own, the number of miles ridden, and therefore the frequency of tire changes are influencing factors. Not to mention factors such as mechanical desire & ability, or the number of friends that will come by, use your tools, and drink your beer. I spent $500-$600 a few years back. I had recouped my money by the 4th tire swap, everything since then (~15 tires) has been gravy. Plus you will be very popular with your beer guzzlin' friends.

If your tire swaps are few and far between, your money/time may be better spent buying your wrenchs favorite adult beverage. Your money, your time, you make the call.

+1. I bought my changer after paying a dealer too much for my first tire change. 20 tires later I am happy with my investment. For me changing the tires is quick and easy. It takes me longer to remove and replace the wheel on the bike than the actual tire swap. I have 4 bikes and plenty of Socal FJR guys coming over to use the changer to make it worth it.

Here is my thread I had going when I bought the changer.

clicky

 

[pcarnut]

Bought a No-mar junior pro setup a couple of years ago and never looked back

Same here. I've always done my own tire changes but going from tire irons and a vise to break the bead, to the No-Mar is heaven. :yahoo: I can break the bead and have the tire off in minutes, and same putting it back on.

 

[Joker]

I paid the local guy $75 to mount and balance a front tire on a drive-in job. Is this reasonable?

I was quoted $150 by my local mechanic for swapping and balancing both tires.

 

[FJRGuy]

...Not to mention factors such as mechanical desire & ability, or the number of friends that will come by, use your tools, and drink your beer. ...

Interesting... I woulda thought those 'friends' woulda been bringing you beer!

All you need is a set of spoons, some appropriately cut 2x4s and someone to show you what to do. But best bet is to find a friend like frito with a tire changer and bring your new tire and a six pack to his place!

 

[frito1]

...Not to mention factors such as mechanical desire & ability, or the number of friends that will come by, use your tools, and drink your beer. ...

Interesting... I woulda thought those 'friends' woulda been bringing you beer!

One would think that.

All you need is a set of spoons, some appropriately cut 2x4s and someone to show you what to do. But best bet is to find a friend like frito with a tire changer and bring your new tire and a six pack to his place!

Anybody in the neighborhood is welcome, BTW I like Bud Light.

One of my regulars just built me a stainless steel copy of a Mojo/NoScuff bar to go wtih my NoMar stuff. That was much nicer than beer.

 

[Auburn]

Bought a No-mar junior pro setup a couple of years ago and never looked back

Same here. Probably done about 50 sets of tires on it now. The other thing I like by doing it myself, is it gives you a very good opertunity to inspect everything very closely. Such as the wheels for cracks, the swing arm, brakes, sensors, wheel bearings, etc... And I know the wheels are balanced correctly.