Rude Awakening

[RedRyder]

So today I went down to my local Honda powersport shop to pick up my new clutch lever and foot peg, and just for the hell of it I went to the service department to see how much it would cost to swap the OE tires for the new Shinkos I bought. The first shock was the labor rate - $US120/hr. Then they told me the earliest appointment I could get was 15 days from today. Then they let me know if I brought the bike in with the wheels on, it would cost at least $US120 per tire. But if I took the wheels off and just brought those in, I could have that done without an appointment for $48 per tire. It is beginning to pierce my dull brain that I had best learn how to do regular maintenance myself, otherwise the cost of operation will skyrocket. Looks like it's time to invest in some tire spoons, a torque wrench, and that Japanese screwdriver!

 

[BaldRider]

I hate changing tires. I haven't done it yet on my trail but it shouldn't be as bad as sportbike or Heidanau K37s for my Ural that have a load rating of 761lbs

 

[SneakyDingo]

Looks like it's time to invest in some tire spoons, a torque wrench, and that Japanese screwdriver!

You don't need the JIS screwdriver. Ref from @dmonkey : https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/air-filter-replacement.1162/#post-11516

Tire spoons and a torque wrench will serve you well, but you should also make targeted investments where appropriate. For example, I have a 10-60 Nm 3/8" driver torque wrench that's really fancy, and a cheaper 1/2" driver torque wrench capable of handling 88 Nm that I pretty much use for just one job. Get tire bead lubricant for the tire job too (or use windex, etc.). But every time you do a tire change you're gonna save yourself $50-$240, so investing in the tools the first time is worth it.

Also the difficult part of the task, breaking the bead, is super easy on this bike. Kneel on it if you have to, but I just use my hands most times.

I had a similar "realization" that wasn't very much a realization but more a verification. My prices are close to yours, $50 per tire, $125 for labor last time I checked (last year, and prices have gone up since then - I think they're $10 more each). I also realized it takes me at least 15 minutes to get to the store, but only ~30 minutes to actually do the tire changing part of the tire change. So like... it's a wash for time, it's definitely not more cost effective, the only thing that's good about it is that it doesn't require physical effort. For $240, I'll change my own tires, especially since they're not balancing them.

EDIT: there is a special case here - from the Tires megathread (see signature):

• If you are getting the tires mounted instead of doing it yourself, some non-CT125 riders report that "if you got the tires from Revzilla, they have an arrangement with Cycle Gear in some cities, for reduced price tire changing." The mechanic may offer a discount for certain sources.

 

[dmonkey]

Some other options to consider are taking it to a 3rd party shop, or finding someone local and reputable who takes on small project work out of their garage. It is rare in the USA, but there are some "community garages" that operate similar to makerspaces where you may pay a monthly fee for membership and access to tools, workshop space, and potentially one-on-one instruction from other members or staff which can be great if you're performing a task for the first time. A friend of mine just did that to have someone walk him through the valve adjustment process on his Kawasaki KLR650.

Quite a few of us have been changing the CT125's tires by hand at home or on the road. You can greatly reduce the risk of pinching a tube with spoons by using the "zip tie method". Take your time and be willing to take a break if you're struggling with it. Take advantage of your environment, with the summer heat you can warm up the tires in the sun to make them softer to remove and install, and then carry the wheels inside somewhere air conditioned if possible to work on them. I just lay out a broken down cardboard box to work on. Some wood blocks or a plastic crate could help too. Taking photos of the orientation of parts as you are taking them apart and/or referencing the parts catalog diagrams should make disassembly and reassembly easier the first time around when a task is unfamiliar to you. I use a torque wrench often, some people don't find them necessary. I especially use one while torquing the front and rear axle nuts to spec. You can get a LOT done with inexpensive (Harbor Freight) tools if you're trying to keep spending down.

Good luck and feel free to post if you have any questions or run into issues, this community should be able to help you sort through them.

 

[SneakyDingo]

I learned how to do valve checks in a community garage like that. Unfortunately they're exceptionally far away from where I live now. The cool thing was every time you went in there someone was making or doing something cool. Doing the valve check on a F650CS right next to a guy welding up a table made out of motorcycle chains was a gooooood memory.

 

[RedRyder]

Good luck and feel free to post if you have any questions or run into issues, this community should be able to help you sort through them.

I've appreciated all the help from this community - it's a great place for information and support!

 

[Volant1006]

I learned how to do valve checks in a community garage like that. Unfortunately they're exceptionally far away from where I live now. The cool thing was every time you went in there someone was making or doing something cool. Doing the valve check on a F650CS right next to a guy welding up a table made out of motorcycle chains was a gooooood memory.

Was your community garage owner as nice as Darnell?

 

[SneakyDingo]

Never met the guy actually, but he got sweet talked by one of my lady friends into making an exception for her motorcycle so I can only imagine yes.

 

[Valker]

I got tired of shoddy work and super expensive shop time just for tires. I also own seven motorcycle. I also ride quite a bit.
My TW200 is not in this pic.

I love having a climate controlled shop, a good lift table, and a tire machine.

 

[NMCoyote]

Swapping rubber on these bikes is too easy, not worth $120 for sure. Takes about 30mins if you’re drinking a beer while you’re doing it. Less if not!

 

[Kev250R]

I generally avoid Dealerships for repairs or service as much as possible, mainly for this reason. I use a local non-dealership tire shop located about a mile from my house (Wheel Works in Orange and Garden Grove if any locals need a good place). I recently bought and had my new tires mounted there on my Trail (I took the wheels off at home and just dropped them off). I don't remember what I paid but I think the whole thing, tires and mounting was less then $250, plus I think I got a discount for paying cash, I don't really remember. Worth it IMO. I dropped the wheels off one day after work, picked them up the day (could have done while I waited but I was in a hurry).

 

[Tex68w]

Either do tire changes yourself or find a shop that'll do it for less. I do a mixture of both, just depends on what it is and how much time I have available. I have local Honda shop that I used frequently in the past, I became chummy with the guys back in the service department and now they will do a tire and tube swap for $20/ea.