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Author Topic: K1100 changing tires gotchas?  (Read 12654 times)

Offline Zork

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K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« on: May 22, 2021, 06:34:45 PM »
I bought two Battlax T31's for my K1100LT, and now I can't find a shop around here that will take the bike and do all the work. All I get is a**clown excuses ("umm.... my balancer doesn't have the right adapter..."), whining hog shop owners ("I'm too old, too much work, can't find help..." <click, take it to your shrink>) or they want me to take the wheels off and only take that.

So I bought the tools (bead breaker, spoons, rim protectors), tire soap and Ride-On and am going to change them myself. Any gotchas I should know about before I dive into this? The instructions in the owner's manual seem simple enough.
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  • MA
  • 1995 K1100LT SE
A black hole is where <insert favorite imaginary deity here> divided by zero.
To err is human. To do so repeatedly is evidence of imbecility.

Offline Laitch

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2021, 06:49:31 PM »
Set them out in the sun and get them warm—that is critical. Be liberal with the tire lubricant. Don't lever them in with a dying strain; you could ruin the sidewall. Ask about the zip-tie method if you get stalled. I haven't used Ride On. I use an el cheapo static wheel balancer and weights. Some riders don't even bother balancing them and seem to be satisfied. I'm working toward that state of being.  :laughing4-giggles:
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline Zork

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2021, 06:52:23 PM »
Thanks. I'm going to use the Ride-On not just for the balancing but also for the protection against puncture flats.
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  • MA
  • 1995 K1100LT SE
A black hole is where <insert favorite imaginary deity here> divided by zero.
To err is human. To do so repeatedly is evidence of imbecility.

Offline Laitch

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2021, 11:58:25 PM »
ˇBuena suerte!
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline natalena

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2021, 12:07:32 AM »
Having a second person to hold tire irons is really helpful. I asked my neighbor, and we ended up doing his ATV tires at the same time. Have fun, it's not difficult, and gives a great sense of accomplishment :) 
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  • MST
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Offline Chaos

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2021, 12:18:16 AM »
I've had really good luck with the zip tie method rather than spoons and irons.  Lots of vids on youtube.
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1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
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Offline natalena

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2021, 10:10:43 AM »
I keep hearing about the zip ties method, and always view YouTube's with skepticism. If it's ordained on MB, I'm doing it next tire change! :)
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  • MST
  • 1987 K75s #0919, '05 Sportster 1200C, '21 ARGO 8x8, '24 KLR650
"Hard to beat a 10x beaver, 'specially if you're gonna work it."

Offline Laitch

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2021, 11:04:03 AM »
Quote from: natalena on May 23, 2021, 10:10:43 AM
I keep hearing about the zip ties method . . .
This is the guy who taught me. What I like about his presentation is that he leaves nothing to chance about his audience's ability to comprehend the process. Although his shirt is loud, his voice is soothing and exudes confidence. Just owning zip-ties the size of pythons is a treat in itself.

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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline Zork

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2021, 01:28:11 PM »
Thanks, but I will stick to the spoons.
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  • MA
  • 1995 K1100LT SE
A black hole is where <insert favorite imaginary deity here> divided by zero.
To err is human. To do so repeatedly is evidence of imbecility.

Offline Laitch

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2021, 02:05:17 PM »
ˇBuena suerte!
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline beemuker

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2021, 06:45:37 PM »
I'm going to need tires for my K11lt. Interesting that On my R11 I've got an 18 on the front and a 17 in the rear, on the K11 LT I've got the opposite. 
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  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline Zork

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #11 on: May 23, 2021, 07:06:09 PM »
Battlax T32's, or T31's if you can't get 32's. I ordered T31's because I couldn't find one of the T32's in the size I needed. The originals are bias ply. These are radials and ride much better. Original sizes are hard to find. For the front order 110/80-18 and for the back 150/70-17. The back will make it sit 1/4" lower which at least for me is a good thing as these bikes appear to be made for Germans with long legs and tiny feet.

Avoid Revzilla. They don't carry anything in stock, they are just intermediate order takers. I ordered the tires and a set of new metal valves and they came from three different vendors on three different days, even though I told them I wanted them shipped together. When I complained, he said how they do it and then dismissively asked me "Do you have any other questions?" Won't order from them again.
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  • MA
  • 1995 K1100LT SE
A black hole is where <insert favorite imaginary deity here> divided by zero.
To err is human. To do so repeatedly is evidence of imbecility.

Offline frankenduck

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #12 on: May 23, 2021, 07:16:16 PM »
Quote from: Zork on May 23, 2021, 07:06:09 PM
I ordered the tires and a set of new metal valves and they came from three different vendors on three different days, even though I told them I wanted them shipped together. When I complained, he said how they do it and then dismissively asked me "Do you have any other questions?" Won't order from them again.

That's how the tire industry works. Most vendors don't actually stock tires. Many use the same tire distribution centers. Many of my tire orders come from a distribution center in Idaho regardless of who the vendor is.  Some places like Chaparral do actually stock tires though.
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Offline Zork

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #13 on: May 23, 2021, 07:17:30 PM »
Then the vendor should not offer shipping options to tell them to put everything in one shipment. That's just braindead. Anyway, what irks me is the uppity customer service.
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  • MA
  • 1995 K1100LT SE
A black hole is where <insert favorite imaginary deity here> divided by zero.
To err is human. To do so repeatedly is evidence of imbecility.

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #14 on: May 24, 2021, 07:52:00 AM »
Quote from: frankenduck on May 23, 2021, 07:16:16 PM
Many of my tire orders come from a distribution center in Idaho regardless of who the vendor is.  Some places like Chaparral do actually stock tires though.

Isn't Boise, Idaho the Shinko North America headquarters?  I've been getting all my tires from Chaparral for years.  Best price and super service.  I've had tires arrive two days after I order them. 
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  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
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Offline frankenduck

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #15 on: May 24, 2021, 10:09:11 AM »
Quote from: The Mighty Gryphon on May 24, 2021, 07:52:00 AM
Isn't Boise, Idaho the Shinko North America headquarters?  I've been getting all my tires from Chaparral for years.  Best price and super service.  I've had tires arrive two days after I order them.

I used to buy from Chap but now usually get tires from Rocky Mountain ATV. The only reason I know Chap has them in stock is that I got an unrepairable flat in SoCal once and went there in person to get a new tire installed. They have a BIG store in San Bernardino.
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Once I had a Collie pup. Dug a hole and covered him up. Now I sit there by the hour. Waiting for a Collie-flower.
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Offline RobP

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #16 on: May 26, 2021, 11:49:55 AM »
This, works great for installing tires:

https://www.bajanopinch.com/
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Offline Zork

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #17 on: May 26, 2021, 11:54:31 AM »
Quote from: RobP on May 26, 2021, 11:49:55 AM
This, works great for installing tires:

https://www.bajanopinch.com/

K1100 tires are tubeless...
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  • MA
  • 1995 K1100LT SE
A black hole is where <insert favorite imaginary deity here> divided by zero.
To err is human. To do so repeatedly is evidence of imbecility.

Offline Chaos

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #18 on: May 26, 2021, 12:41:42 PM »
Quote from: RobP on May 26, 2021, 11:49:55 AM
This, works great for installing tires:

https://www.bajanopinch.com/

Doesn't help getting old tire off though.
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  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline RobP

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #19 on: May 27, 2021, 08:56:57 AM »
Quote
K1100 tires are tubeless...

Affirmative, it works on tubeless tires, too.   And it is only intended for tire installation.
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  • Driftwood, TX
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Offline Laitch

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #20 on: May 27, 2021, 09:21:38 AM »
Quote from: RobP on May 26, 2021, 11:49:55 AM
This, works great for installing tires:https://www.bajanopinch.com/
Quote from: Zork on May 26, 2021, 11:54:31 AM
K1100 tires are tubeless...
Quote from: RobP on May 27, 2021, 08:56:57 AM
Affirmative, it works on tubeless tires, too.
It always helps the quality of a review for the reviewer to watch the demonstration.  :laughing4-giggles:

All product demonstrations tend to show the product in the best light. Just once I'd like to watch one where the demonstration descends into calamity, the demonstrator is reduced to tears, then restores compose and completes the job. That could be as effective as Geico ads.  112350
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles

Offline Zork

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #21 on: May 29, 2021, 07:20:44 PM »
Holy shit. Trying to do this myself with Battlax T31 tires was a REALLY stupid idea. Especially the rear tire, which is oversize and takes a machine to get it go to on right. I wasted two days, then another two days trying to find a pro to change the tires, and it took him 30 minutes just to do the rear tire because it was very stiff and wouldn't seat correctly. The front was only slightly easier.
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  • MA
  • 1995 K1100LT SE
A black hole is where <insert favorite imaginary deity here> divided by zero.
To err is human. To do so repeatedly is evidence of imbecility.

Offline frankenduck

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #22 on: May 29, 2021, 08:52:27 PM »
You need to swear more. That always helps. :johnny
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Once I had a Collie pup. Dug a hole and covered him up. Now I sit there by the hour. Waiting for a Collie-flower.
New to K bikes? Click here.
K Bike Maintenance & Mods: Click here.
Buy parts here.

Offline Zork

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #23 on: May 29, 2021, 09:18:02 PM »
Quote from: frankenduck on May 29, 2021, 08:52:27 PM
You need to swear more. That always helps. :johnny

If that worked both the old and new tires would have melted along with the rims.
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  • MA
  • 1995 K1100LT SE
A black hole is where <insert favorite imaginary deity here> divided by zero.
To err is human. To do so repeatedly is evidence of imbecility.

Offline Laitch

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Re: K1100 changing tires gotchas?
« Reply #24 on: May 29, 2021, 11:00:28 PM »
This is what happens when you don't use zip-ties.  :laughing4-giggles:

What tire sizes are you using to float that boat, Zork?
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  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles
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