Need new tyres on my Norge, ride in ride out service.
I have used JHS racing in Keynsham for several years now, rang them to book in for new tyres, only to be told they only fit them to supersports bikes now, takes too long on touring bikes they say. So they have lost my business now, I have certainly spent a few thousand there over the last 5 years with Triumph servicing as well. Nice to be able to turn business away but there you go. Always been delighted with them before.
It seems desperately difficult to find anyone to fit Motorcycle tyres at any reasonable notice these days. I know I can go to a dealer, but they will charge full workshop rates, and probably need 2 weeks’ notice.
So does anyone know of a reasonable motorcycle tyre place within say 30 miles of Frome/Bath area. Tried searching on line without success. I did find one in Westbury, but they have only one guy that does it part time.
What does everyone else do? Am I the only one without the time/patience/confidence to take my wheels off myself? Don’t mind the rear on the Le Mans, it’s easy, albeit it takes me ages, but I am not confident with front wheels.
Pro Tyre , Lawrence Hill Bristol supplied and fitted tyres on my V50 recently .
They have a dedicated motorcycle department and fitters . Give them a call Jim .
Cheers.
I remember years ago…when I had my Mk 2 Le mans…my stock used to rise meteorically cos I used to turn up at our local suppliers on the bike…and proceed to remove the wheels for them…
I just took my wheels along too,but saw that they did have lifters ect to do the full works if needed. Jim ,
l always found the front much easier than the rear ,
especially when re -fitting.
Cheers
Have booked with Protyre as recommended by Ray. They couldn’t do it tomorrow as it is the motorcycle guy’s weekend off, so will have to wait another week. Hope the front lasts that long, it’s pretty crook already. The front tyre has worn much quicker than the rear, which is a first for me on any bike (Pilot sports on the Norge). It’s an hour from my house.
Going to go back to Avon Storms again, which is what I had on the 1200 Sport, and see how they feel.
Jim,
Rob Jones mobile mc mechanic radstock
Wiltshire tyre melksham (Who I use but take loose wheels in)
HB tyres Frome (have used)
CMC (Chippenham Motorcycles) Chippenham (have used)
Bike Clinic Gillingham (Dorset) use them for MOT’s
Cheers
Nice one Kate! I used to do that at Universal Tyres in Chelmsford but without a single eyebrow raised, I guess they have seen it all there, being opposite Chelmsford prison (where Porridge was filmed), they even have sponsored jail breaks, I’m not sure how that works!
Hah, I used to use them when I was more local (Universal rather than the residents at HM’s pleasure). Remember one happy occasion watching some chump trying to get the wheels out of his CX500 special - the full dress jobbie, a Silver Wing maybe? He was still hard at it when I left, may even still be there now I suppose.
Well, got the new Avon Storms fitted at Protyre Bristol on Sat. £225 all in. It took him 2 hours though. He was not rushing, gave me quite a few tips, and called me over to look at things like my nearly shot brake pads. Seemed really thorough, and copper slipped calliper bolts for me etc. Probably would have taken me a whole day.
I was impressed, although don’t know how they make money like that. I got the impression the guy was semi retired.
The bike is transformed by the way, so much nicer than it was on the Pilots, which admittedly had worn a bit funny on the front.
Ordered new brake pads from Motomecca, going to do them myself so there. Motocorsa service dept no longer open on a Sat, which makes it harder for to use them.
Just to add another “rant” to this thread … I am embarking upon a quest to use another local tyre supplier / fitter, to get a new front tyre for my little “show-pony” … I have recently noticed that one sidewall was showing signs of breaking up, lots of small surface cracks, rather like varicose veins… yesterday I passed by my local MOT man, and showed him … He said, “Yep, that would be a fail I’m afraid” … The tyre was purchased in 2011 … On checking the date stamping on the sidewall … It would appear to have been manufactured in … 2006 … I know …I should have known better… I think I will do it myself this time … Regards, Tony
I imagine the rear isn’t too bad, although on mine he found that someone had overtorqued the 4 nuts, so they took some getting off initially. I don’t think it is as easy on the older bikes though, the rear on the Le Mans is very simple to get on and off, only 3 nuts basically. At least on the Norge you don’t have to take the silencer off
He needed two people on a couple of occasions to line things up, like getting the front spindle back in. Of course this was on a lift platform, which makes things a lot easier and which I don’t have.
It’s not so easy when you only have a side stand. On the Bellagio my tyre fitter in Hurst’s Belfast had to take the exhausts off in order to change the rear. Don’t really fancy that at the side of the road!
Probably the easiest I have had the pleasure of…but my Stelvio has a centrestand and a high level pipe, which helps enormously.
Bike up on stand, into first gear.
Two bolts, remove caliper & cable-tie to mounting hole to prevent clunking around.
Four bolts, pull off wheel.
Putting it back in can be a minor faff as you have to line up the holes of the wheel, the drive boss and the thin round plate in between.
The front is more involved as there are two calipers but you can leave the ABS/speed sensor in place. Replacement needs care, as you should bounce the front suspension a couple of times before torquing up and there is a sequence to (carefully) tightening the axle clamps.
As for tyres, I wait until the canvas shows then buy a new bike
yes but only becouse your bikes broken 
