"Rip, shit, or bust", as my Dad used to say. Boogered up the wheel rim with a crow bar, pulling wheelies- I sure hope the poor guy that cared for it wasn't watching.
Your old starter probably only needs a new Bendix. This part is not expensive. I have a friend that does starter repairs, and he's helped us at work a number of times.
Use some dish soap and water or tire mounting lube to take the tires off and put them on. Will make it a lot easier. A few months ago I got a gallon of tire lube from Walmart online for just over $10 shipped to my house. I'm not sure how they do that but it's certainly a better alternative than dish soap and water.