How to Put a Motorcycle Tire Back on the Rim

Replacing a tire on a motorcycle can improve driving conditions and increase safety for the operator. After you have selected a new tire to use on your motorcycle, you will need to put the new tire on the rim. The job can be challenging and even a bit dangerous, but it is possible, with concentration and patience, for you to put a motorcycle tire back on the rim yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Lubrication
  • Tire iron
  • Air compressor
  • Breezer tire tool
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Lubricate the sidewalls of the tire. You can use ordinary dish soap if you don't have industrial grade lubrication.

    • 2

      Determine the rotation of the rim and the tire. Motorcycle tires are intended to rotate in a certain direction, and this must be matched with the rim's rotation. To make this easier, always make a mark on the rim before you remove the tire to indicate rotation direction.

    • 3

      Place the tire over the rim and edge it down over the lip on both sides. Use a tire iron to aid in this process.

    • 4

      Align the tire valve properly. The valve is the opening on the tire through which the tire is inflated. Position the tire so that the valve stem is projecting from the rim through the valve stem hole.

    • 5

      Inflate the tire slightly using an air compressor. Do not inflate the tire completely. This preliminary inflation aids in applying the tire bead to the rim.

    • 6

      Use a Breezer tire tool to place the tire bead inside the wheel rim. You will need to rotate the tire and alternate working on each side of the tire.

    • 7

      Inflate the motorcycle tire to the recommended psi.