[Jeff Higgins]

I find my 18" and 21" dirt bike tires to be a piece of cake, and do all of my own with simple tire irons on a tire stand. I don't bother to balance them because, well, dirt bike.

My 18" and 19" vintage Harley tires are almost as easy. I do them myself about half the time, and get lazy and bring the rims in to my local shop about half the time. They mount for free if you bring them just the rims and buy the tire there.

My 17" rims on my Ducati are very difficult to do at home. I made a bead breaker by nailing a 2x4 cleat to a post in the garage, about 18" off the floor. I put the end of an 8' long 2x4 under that cleat, with a 12" long piece of 2x4 attached to it with a hinge about a foot from the end. Lay the tire on the floor, put that hanging bit of 2x4 on the bead, and pull down on the long end of the 8' 2x4. This is the easiest way I've found to break those beads. But, even with both beads broken and down in that center well, it is a real mofo getting the beads out over the rim. It's been a long time since I have tried. Did I mention my local shop that changes tires for free if you buy theirs and bring in your rims? A lot of shops do this. See if you can find one nearby. Your'e welcome...