How to Repair a Harley Tire

Repairing Harley tires can be time consuming.

All tires on Harley-Davidson's can be repaired the same way and with the same tools. Harley dealers have the tools and the repair kits for specific bikes. The cost of a repair will depend on the nature of the needed work. The time it will take also depends on the repair. Most tire repairs can be done in a driveway or garage, but others require dealer attention.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Motorcycle lift
• Ratchet set
• Pliers
• Rubber mallet
• Tire bead breaker
• Tire patch kit

1. • 1

     Place the motorcycle lift under the engine and raise the lift plate to the bottom of the engine. Raise the Harley completely off the ground.

   • 2

     Remove the axle nut from the wheel that needs the repair using the ratchet set and pliers. Hammer out the axle bolt using the rubber mallet. Pull the axle bolt from the frame. If it is the rear tire that needs repair, then push the tire forward and pull the drive belt/chain off the rear sprocket.

   • 3

     Remove the tire from the frame. Remove the air valve cap from the tire and depress the metal pin inside the air valve to release air from the inner tube. Slide the edge of the bead breaker between the tire and the rim and lift up on the bead breaker until the tire begins to pop off the rim. Repeat this until the tire is completely off.

   • 4

     Look inside the tire and remove the object that has punctured the tire and inner tube. Fill the hole using the tar from the patch kit. Allow the tar to dry for four hours. Replace the tire on the rim, again using the bead breaker for leverage.

   • 5

     Replace the tire and rim on the frame of the Harley the opposite way that you removed it from the frame. Replace the axle bolt to the axle and the drive belt/chain to the rear sprocket if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need the tire resurfaced or retreaded, bring the tire to the Harley dealer and have them do it for you. A machine is needed for this type of repair. Also, if the inner tube was damaged, replace it before you remount the tire on the rim.