DOC HARLEY: TIRE CHANGING MISTAKES 

Maybe to you, could be the start to someone’s vision…..Doc

I sent for tires about 10 years back for my Honda 750. I can't remember exactly but one was something like 8 years old.

Most welcome…Doc

Thanks for watching….Doc

Thanks for the suggestion, the front fork service takes a lot of specialty tools. Your service manual covers procedures and some of the tools you will need. Depending on your local dealership's pricing, it may be less to have the work done there and will definitely save time.

I just picked up my first one too, a 2003 wide glide. It doesn't even have plates yet, but I'm checking out videos like this already.

But not before reinstallation!

I had a couple of friends who were working on their bike and one forgot to pump the brake levers. He took off down the street and crashed into the neighborhood park!😆

@@armandogonzales9304 I almost did this, thankfully I didn't take off so hard so I was able to stop it

If you make a mistake on fixing a car , you can definitely end up in the hospital or putting someone else there . A Brake job , suspension repair , fuel line repair , etc done wrong on ANYTHING , is going to probably turn out bad .

At Low Country, we go by a six year life for tires. There are four digits you can find on the tire wall- first two numbers are the week in the year it was produced, second two are the year.

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thanks for that response to that question,cuz I bought a 2016 Harley Dyna LR from HD dealership,even with only 1700 miles on it,I asked to go ahead and put new tires on it the tires being 7 years old.$995 .I'm going to ask if they put new intertubes also.

Good point. Arrow points in the direction of rotation….Doc

Check the balance on the empty rim with the tire valve installed. Mark the heavy spot on the rim. Mount the tire with the dot lined up with the mark on the rim. You'll use less weights to balance it.

@@josephcivita1450 that’s so genius! Best tire balancing suggestion I’ve heard!

@@josephcivita1450 red dot heaviest part of the tire opposite valve sterm ..yellow dot at vave stem,,. ill install mine as per your balancing tip..thx

You are going to have clearance issues under the fender and possible brake mount....Doc

Everyone makes mistakes. I am glad you brought it to their attention. Thank-you....Doc

Welcome to the world of Harley. As you learn with this new purchase there are things to learn as you own. First I am surprised the people who mounted the new tires did not explain. For your knowledge. Yes the tire on the outside has printed Tubeless. This tire can fit multiple Harleys with different wheels. The key word for you is “ Spoke Wheels”. There was a model later that used a wide rim strip to cover the spokes on a curved rim. But unfortunately for you, your Spoke wheels should have a new rim strip and new inner tube. It is possible the installer used your original inner tube and pinched it during assembly. Lesson learned…..Doc

At first I suspect a bent disc. If you model has ABS I would return to the dealer and have it checked out. Have you had the brake fluid serviced? Should be changed every 2 years….Doc

You will find them from the factory with lines near the forks. The design was a carryover from EVO days. For TC &M8 they can be either way…..Doc

You’re a Magician…..Doc

Tire manufacture recommend replacement at 6 years. You have a choice. depending on how often you ride and condition of side walls and tread depth. Purchase when you are able....Doc

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Once again , thanks for the response . These 3,950 mile tires are , as you probably come across being there on the shop floor a lot , “ new “ in tread depth and my FXLR garage kept - look showroom condition . I am “ older “ and have learned not long ago , that age , hot 100 degree temperature garage , dries up tires , and somewhat “ hardens “ the softness that these beautiful Michelin tires had from the Motor Company installed in 2018 . I’m sure I’m looking at $1,000.00 for replacement ; however my life is worth that , and not to mention the peace of mind when this old man who occasionally leans hard in a curve and wants confidence that the tires GRIP that blacktop and allow me a safe arrival back home … Great delivery ! ( I wish I could work alongside you at that shop ! ) You are , and have been living my dream career that I always wanted since 1978 .

NO, as a famous actor once said,” A man got to know his limitations…so do you feel lucky…..Punk ?”…….Doc

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson blah blah blah... We know how you arrogant harley service depts are. Think you're the only ones on the planet who know how to turn a wrench.

Thank you for watching...Doc

I cannot supply information on cost of tires and labor for tires. No, dealerships do not pawn off old dated tires. ~ Doc

Weights. Changing a tire with beads or fix a flat is messy…..Doc

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidsonnow that makes sense. Thank you

Yeah, and still, the original question on physically changing tire was not addressed. I've changed plenty without taking caliper off. Just loosen everything for easy reinstall . Changing tire is much harder than reinstalling wheel on bike ! LOL

It is an adventure to find. First to page2-3 under axle preliminary 15-20ft/lb….adjust belt…instructions on 1-33 where you will find the final torque spec……Doc( you are using a Factory Service Manual right? 95-105)

Thank you Doc !!! You are awesome 👏!

We treat them like a spoke wheel with inner tube. Replace when installing a new tire….Doc

Whats wrong with having a long strip of weights on one side?

I looks neater.

Dynabeads. No weight strips at all.

@@dfhowes or Ride-On? I still don’t know which is better for balancing. I’m going to use either one to get rid of weights and have always properly balanced wheels.

Sounds like a great project...Doc

I am not a fan of this direction at dealerships. Stick on weights are supposed to be cheaper and be universal. The area where applied must be very clean and dry for longevity. For My Slim, I use spoke weights....It's classic and old school....Doc

To our knowledge, Michelin tires don't have a color dot as Dunlop

Good choice. I’m sure your Venture will not need spacers, specs, torque wrenches, maintenance. In fact Yamaha dealers don’t even need a service shop.

@@dougfresh1341 finally. You catch on to the truth.

Cesar no certification needed just a lot of practice. I learned at MMI on a few but they have been replaced by newer manufacturers. Thanks ~ Doc

Low Country Harley-Davidson ......thank u sir

you can run the stock tires..Bikesandbeards did a video on it! epic!

Thank you for sharing....Doc

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson red dot heaviest part of the tire opposite valve stem / .yellow dot lightest at vave sterm // string run across the 4 edges of the 2 tires to align the rear tire

Yes...Doc

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thank you 👍 Can you suggest a specific kind of lube? Would any kind of grease work? Bearing/axle grease? Antiseize paste? Bacon grease? 🥓

Factory Dunlop...Doc

This upsets me. Hear me out. It was possibly a young tech trying to make time. It is a pain for you to return, but if this tech is not accountable he/she will continue to do shotty work. If today’s rider wants better techs we need to press the management and techs to BE better. Even to the point to ask to talk with the tech that did this to you. Explain this is a trust not just a job….Doc

Thanks Doc, I had them turn the bike back into the shop. the service manager heard me so got involved. 30 minutes later service manager said they talked to the tech and went back over the bike to make sure things were okay and attached the muffler for me. The shop is run like a car dealership so you never get to meet a tech or see the name, just a number. From this point on I will not be servicing the bike in Daytona (even though free oil change for life) as I have trust issues (some other past minor issues) but will go back to my small family owned dealership where I can ask for the tech I want (already dropped by and asked about this). Take care!@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson

Don’t do this!!!!…..Doc

Thanks for the suggestion for a future video.

Shops tend to mess up in some part a lot and sometimes you cant tell if they mess up on something before its too late. Its better to do it yourself

He didn't say change the bearings, he said inspect them. Pads do not randomly fall out of Harley's calipers, people not paying attention or not knowing what they are doing can cause problems.

Sounds like you need to ride it more then

The dot is the lightest place on the tire. Should be matched with the heaviest place on the rim. It could be any where, you can spin the rim (no tire), to find the heaviest spot.

There are compariaon videos and the Harbor Freight Torque Wrenches are a lot more accurate than most people think. Good value.